Best Schools in Sandusky, Ohio
12 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Sandusky?
Use this page to compare every school in Sandusky 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.
Meadowlawn Elementary School
Elementary · Perkins Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sandusky Central Catholic School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Briar Middle School
Middle · Perkins Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Sandusky for 2026 are Meadowlawn Elementary School (7.7/10), Sandusky Central Catholic School (7.3/10), and Briar Middle School (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 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
12
10 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$148,600
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
12
10 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$148,600
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Sandusky
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (11 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meadowlawn Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Sandusky Central Catholic School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Briar Middle School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Sandusky Central Catholic School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Perkins High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Sandusky Middle School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 7 | The Sandusky Intermediate School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Sandusky High School | 4.5 / 10 |
| 9 | The Early Learning Academy | 4.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Monroe Preparatory Academy | 3.9 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $58,797
- Median home value
- $148,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 60%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Sandusky compares
Ohio rank
#375 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$59k
83% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky's public school system covers 10 ranked schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels. The district averages 5.8 out of 10 — a score that places most of its schools in the middle tier nationally. Only 2 of the 10 ranked schools, or 20 percent, break the 7-point threshold, which means parents will find a clear performance gap between the district's strongest options and its typical offerings.
Briar Middle School sits at the top of Sandusky's landscape with a score of 8.2 out of 10 — a full 2.4 points above the city average. It is the district's clearest standout and a signal that strong academic outcomes are achievable within the public system. Meadowlawn Elementary follows at 7.0, making it the second school above the 7-point mark and a solid option for families with younger children. These two schools carry most of the district's performance weight.
Below them, the picture flattens quickly. Furry Elementary scores 6.1, followed by The Sandusky Primary School at 5.8 — matching the district average exactly. Perkins High School comes in at 5.7, sitting just under that average. The gap between Briar Middle School at 8.2 and Perkins High School at 5.7 is notable: students moving through the district may experience a measurable step down in school quality as they advance. Families counting on strong high school performance will want to weigh Perkins carefully before settling on the district.
For parents researching Sandusky, the practical picture is straightforward. Two schools are genuinely strong; the rest are average. If school quality is a top priority, Briar Middle and Meadowlawn Elementary are the names to anchor your neighborhood search around — look closely at their attendance zone boundaries before choosing a home. Families with high school-age children should dig into Perkins' course offerings and outcomes before committing. With 80 percent of ranked schools below the 7-point mark, Sandusky rewards more due diligence than cities where strong schools are spread evenly across grade levels.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 404 students · 3rd–5th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 529 students · Pre-K–2nd | 5.9 |
| 3 | 869 students · 3rd–6th | 5.0 |
| 4 | 364 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 4.3 |
| 5 | 190 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.9 |
| 6 | 433 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 3.9 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 402 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 451 students · 7th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 583 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 994 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandusky Central Catholic School
Private
519 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.3 |
| 2 | Sandusky Central Catholic School
Private
522 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Sandusky
Sandusky, Ohio · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,797
Median Home Value
$148,600
Median Rent
$863/mo
Population
39,817
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Community Profile
Sandusky has a median household income of $58,797. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,600, with a median rent of $863/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
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 Sandusky, Ohio
How many schools are in Sandusky, Ohio?
Sandusky has 12 schools, including 10 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Sandusky, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Sandusky is 5.7 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 Sandusky, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Sandusky on MySchoolScout is Meadowlawn Elementary School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Sandusky, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Sandusky on MySchoolScout is Meadowlawn Elementary School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Sandusky, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Sandusky on MySchoolScout is Briar Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Sandusky, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Sandusky on MySchoolScout is Perkins High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Sandusky, Ohio?
Sandusky is served by 3 school districts: Monroe Preparatory Academy, Sandusky City, Perkins Local.
What is the education level in Sandusky, Ohio?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Sandusky have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Sandusky, Ohio?
The median household income in Sandusky is approximately $58,797 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Sandusky, Ohio?
Yes, Sandusky has 2 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sandusky Central Catholic School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sandusky, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sandusky is 16.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Sandusky, 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.