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Very Good

#1069 of 3,440 schools in OH

Top 31% in state

Black River High School

High School · Black River Local

233 County Road 40, Sullivan, OH 44880

Enrollment

283

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sullivan

#2 of 3

public schools

Ohio high schools

#294 of 886

In district

#2 of 3

Black River Local

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Black River High School

Black River High School serves 283 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Sullivan, Ohio. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #756 out of 3,468 Ohio high schools.

Students show strong literacy skills with 74% achieving proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 67% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential academic foundations. Black River High School draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $69,702 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 8.8%.

The surrounding area has a median home value of $218,300, indicating a community that values homeownership and stability. Located on County Road 40 in Ashland County, Black River High School sits in Ohio's peaceful rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit educational environment where they can develop both academically and personally while maintaining strong connections to their agricultural and small-town roots.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Black River High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,786

Black River High School — Students at Black River High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 74.5%
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
57%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
72%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Black River High School Compares

See how Black River High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in OH
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

233 County Road 40, Sullivan, OH 44880

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black River High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mapleton High School (rated 8.2/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wellington High School (rated 7.3/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Wellington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northwestern High School (rated 7.3/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby West Salem), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sullivan, see our Sullivan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Black River Education Center Middle School Sullivan 0.2 mi 6.6
Black River Education Center Elementary School Sullivan 0.2 mi 8.2
AMISH PRIVATE SCHOOL #1 Homerville 1.4 mi
AMISH PRIVATE SCHOOL #2 Homerville 3.4 mi 2.9
EASTVIEW AMISH SCHOOL Homerville 3.6 mi
WEST SALEM CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS West Salem 6.7 mi
Westwood Elementary School Wellington 8.5 mi 3.5
Wellington High School Wellington 8.7 mi 7.3
Mccormick Middle School Wellington 8.7 mi 7.0
Mapleton Elementary School Ashland 8.2 mi 8.1
Mapleton High School Ashland 8.3 mi 8.2
Mapleton Middle School Ashland 8.3 mi 5.4
Mapleton Virtual Academy Ashland 8.3 mi
Northwestern Middle School West Salem 11.9 mi 6.5
Northwestern Elementary School West Salem 12.0 mi 8.6
Northwestern High School West Salem 12.1 mi 7.3
Keystone High School Lagrange 12.5 mi 6.5
Keystone Middle School Lagrange 12.6 mi 5.5
Keystone Elementary School Lagrange 12.7 mi 6.9
Cloverleaf High School Lodi 10.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 44880 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,118

Median Home Value

$237,400

Population

3,131

College Educated

9.4%

Homeownership

94.7%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

47.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Black River High School has a median household income of $65,118. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,400. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Arcadia High School Arcadia, OH 7.1
Buckeye Local High School Rayland, OH 7.1
Columbiana High School Columbiana, OH 7.1
Elgin High School Marion, OH 7.1
Fairland High School Proctorville, OH 7.1
Felicity-Franklin Local High School Felicity, OH 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black River High School

What grades does Black River High School serve?

Black River High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Black River High School?

Black River High School has an enrollment of approximately 283 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black River High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Black River High School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black River High School rank in OH?

Black River High School is ranked #1069 out of 3,440 schools in OH.

What is Black River High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Black River High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Black River High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black River High School has 47.0% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Black River High School a charter school?

No, Black River High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Black River High School a Title I school?

No, Black River High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black River High School?

43.1% of students at Black River High 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (142/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ashland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Black River Local
District Enrollment
991
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,316
District Rank
#2 of 3

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

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