Skip to main content

Very Good

#464 of 3,440 schools in OH

Top 14% in state

Big Walnut Middle School

Middle School · Big Walnut Local

555 S Old 3c Rd, Sunbury, OH 43074

Enrollment

619

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

7.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sunbury

#1 of 7

public schools

Ohio middle schools

#99 of 650

In district

#1 of 8

Big Walnut Local

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Big Walnut Middle School

Big Walnut Middle School serves 619 students in grades 7-8 in Sunbury, Ohio, establishing itself as a strong academic performer in Delaware County. With 40 full-time teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school creates an environment where students receive meaningful individual attention during these crucial middle school years. Academically, Big Walnut Middle School demonstrates impressive results, ranking in the 85th percentile statewide at #534 out of 3,468 Ohio schools.

Students show particularly strong performance in English Language Arts, with 82% achieving proficient or above levels, while 70% reach proficiency in mathematics. This solid academic foundation reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for high school success. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community, where 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $103,875.

The low poverty rate of 6.3% in the 43074 ZIP code area suggests families have the resources to support their children's educational journey. Big Walnut Middle School sits in Sunbury, a growing town on the fringe of the Columbus metropolitan area, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community while maintaining access to broader urban opportunities and resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,810

Big Walnut Middle School — Students at Big Walnut Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 71.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 80.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from OH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
77%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Big Walnut Middle School Compares

See how Big Walnut Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
87th percentile in OH
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

555 S Old 3c Rd, Sunbury, OH 43074

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Walnut Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Big Walnut Intermediate School (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Berkshire Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Galena), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Genoa Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Westerville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sunbury, see our Sunbury schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Big Walnut Elementary School Sunbury 0.4 mi 6.8
General Rosecrans Elementary Sunbury 1.0 mi 5.2
Big Walnut Intermediate School Sunbury 1.5 mi 7.8
Prairie Run Elementary School Sunbury 2.1 mi 7.8
Big Walnut Early Learning Center at Harrison Street Sunbury 2.1 mi 5.6
Big Walnut High School Sunbury 2.1 mi 6.0
Johnnycake Corners Elementary School Galena 3.8 mi 7.2
Hylen Souders Elementary School Galena 4.8 mi 4.9
Berkshire Middle School Galena 4.3 mi 7.7
Fouse Elementary School Westerville 5.3 mi 7.5
ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD ACADEMY Westerville 5.2 mi 5.2
Genoa Middle School Westerville 5.4 mi 7.2
Alcott Elementary School Westerville 5.9 mi 7.8
Westerville Central High School Westerville 6.0 mi 7.8
Walnut Creek Elementary Galena 5.6 mi 7.5
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Westerville 7.3 mi
Heritage Middle School Westerville 7.1 mi 6.7
Westerville-North High School Westerville 7.3 mi 6.5
Robert Frost Elementary School Westerville 7.3 mi 7.8
Walnut Springs Middle School Westerville 8.0 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 43074 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,541

Median Home Value

$396,600

Median Rent

$1,563/mo

Population

15,948

College Educated

40.6%

Homeownership

81.1%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Big Walnut Middle School has a median household income of $109,541. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $396,600, with a median rent of $1,563/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bellbrook Middle School Bellbrook, OH 7.9
Bexley Middle School Columbus, OH 7.9
Claggett Middle School Medina, OH 7.9
Columbia Intermediate School Kings Mills, OH 7.9
Coventry Middle School Akron, OH 7.9
Creekview Intermediate Elementary School Marysville, OH 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Walnut Middle School

What grades does Big Walnut Middle School serve?

Big Walnut Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Big Walnut Middle School?

Big Walnut Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 619 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Walnut Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Walnut Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Walnut Middle School rank in OH?

Big Walnut Middle School is ranked #464 out of 3,440 schools in OH.

What is Big Walnut Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Walnut Middle School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Walnut Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Walnut Middle School has 71.0% math proficiency and 80.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Big Walnut Middle School a charter school?

No, Big Walnut Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Walnut Middle School a Title I school?

No, Big Walnut Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Walnut Middle School?

17.0% of students at Big Walnut Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (419/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
619
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Delaware County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.