Best Schools in Painesville, Ohio
13 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in Painesville?
Use this page to compare every school in Painesville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Melridge Elementary School
Elementary · Riverside Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Our Shepherd Lutheran School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Istem
High · Istem. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Painesville for 2026 are Melridge Elementary School (8.1/10), Our Shepherd Lutheran School (7.9/10), and Istem (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
12 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$217,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
13
12 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$217,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Painesville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melridge Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Our Shepherd Lutheran School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Istem | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Buckeye Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Riverview Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Chestnut Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Henry F Lamuth Middle School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Maple Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Elm Street Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Riverside Jr/sr High School | 5.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $80,692
- Median home value
- $217,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Painesville compares
Ohio rank
#260 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$81k
113% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Painesville, Ohio
Painesville, Ohio is home to 13 schools, including 12 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Painesville show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Painesville is Melridge Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Painesville is served by 3 school districts: iSTEM, Riverside Local, Painesville City Local. These districts collectively serve 7,100 students.
Painesville's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $80,692. The poverty rate in the area is 12.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 292 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 384 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 601 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 415 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 431 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 6 | 414 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Our Shepherd Lutheran School
Private
96 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.9 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 530 students · 6th–7th | 6.6 |
| 2 | 599 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 224 students · 6th–12th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 1,682 students · 8th–12th | 5.5 |
| 3 | 829 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 |
| 4 | 2 students · 10th–12th | — |
Schools in Painesville
Painesville, Ohio · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$80,692
Median Home Value
$217,400
Median Rent
$972/mo
Population
57,947
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Community Profile
Painesville has a median household income of $80,692. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,400, with a median rent of $972/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Ohio
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Painesville, Ohio
How many schools are in Painesville, Ohio?
Painesville has 13 schools, including 12 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Painesville, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Painesville is 6.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Painesville, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Painesville on MySchoolScout is Melridge Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Painesville, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Painesville on MySchoolScout is Melridge Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Painesville, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Painesville on MySchoolScout is Henry F Lamuth Middle School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Painesville, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Painesville on MySchoolScout is Istem with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Painesville, Ohio?
Painesville is served by 3 school districts: Istem, Riverside Local, Painesville City Local.
What is the education level in Painesville, Ohio?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Painesville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Painesville, Ohio?
The median household income in Painesville is approximately $80,692 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Painesville, Ohio?
Yes, Painesville has 1 private school alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Shepherd Lutheran School with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Painesville, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Painesville is 18.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Painesville, Ohio?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Ohio Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.