Best Schools in Portsmouth, Ohio
10 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Portsmouth?
Use this page to compare every school in Portsmouth 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.
Clay Elementary School
Elementary · Clay Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Portsmouth Stem Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Notre Dame
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Portsmouth for 2026 are Clay Elementary School (8.2/10), Portsmouth Stem Academy (7.6/10), and Notre Dame (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
10
6 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$98,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
10
6 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$98,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Portsmouth
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Portsmouth Stem Academy | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Portsmouth Stem Academy | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Sciotoville Community School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Notre Dame Jr/sr High | 6.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Clay High School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Portsmouth Junior High School/portsmouth High School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Portsmouth Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Clay Middle School | 5.3 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $37,345
- Median home value
- $98,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Portsmouth compares
Ohio rank
#200 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$37k
52% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Portsmouth, Ohio
Portsmouth, Ohio is home to 10 schools, including 6 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth is Clay Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portsmouth is served by 3 school districts: Sciotoville Community School, Clay Local, Portsmouth City. These districts collectively serve 2,542 students.
Portsmouth's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $37,345. The poverty rate in the area is 32.8%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 316 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 761 students · Pre-K–6th | 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 | Notre Dame
Private
202 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 148 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 142 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 626 students · 7th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 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 | Notre Dame Jr/sr High
Private
187 students · 7th–12th | 6.3 | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 389 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Portsmouth Stem Academy
Private
173 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | Portsmouth Stem Academy
Private
173 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 | ||
Schools in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Ohio · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$37,345
Median Home Value
$98,100
Median Rent
$756/mo
Population
26,972
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
32.8%
Community Profile
Portsmouth has a median household income of $37,345. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $98,100, with a median rent of $756/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 3
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 Portsmouth, Ohio
How many schools are in Portsmouth, Ohio?
Portsmouth has 10 schools, including 6 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portsmouth, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portsmouth is 6.8 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 Portsmouth, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Clay Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portsmouth, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Clay Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Portsmouth, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Clay Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best high school in Portsmouth, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Notre Dame Jr/sr High with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Portsmouth, Ohio?
Portsmouth is served by 3 school districts: Sciotoville Community School, Clay Local, Portsmouth City.
What is the education level in Portsmouth, Ohio?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Portsmouth have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portsmouth, Ohio?
The median household income in Portsmouth is approximately $37,345 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Portsmouth, Ohio?
Yes, Portsmouth has 4 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Portsmouth Stem Academy with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portsmouth, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portsmouth is 10.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portsmouth, 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.