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Needs Improvement

#3376 of 3,441 schools in OH

Independence High School

High School · Columbus City Schools District

5175 Refugee Rd, Columbus, OH 43232

Enrollment

676

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

2.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Ohio schools

#3,376 of 3,441

In Columbus

#208 of 224

public schools

In district

#108 of 114

Columbus City Schools District

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Independence High School

2.9/10

High School in Columbus · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Liberty Elementary School

5.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dunloe Elementary School

3.4/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Independence High School

Independence High School is a public high school in Columbus, OH, part of Columbus City Schools District. Independence High School serves approximately 676 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,376 of 3,441 schools in OH.

Structured state assessment records for Independence High School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.8
  • OH avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

76% of students at Independence High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-6.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics1.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency7% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-40.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate75%
AP Participation6.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,308
Chronic Absenteeism76.3%

Independence High School — Students at Independence High School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from OH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Independence High School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in OH
Academic
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.3
Sports
12
5 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
76.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.2% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
5 boys'·7 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5175 Refugee Rd, Columbus, OH 43232

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Arts & College Preparatory Academy (rated 5.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Capital City Career Prep High School (rated 3.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Walnut Ridge High School (rated 3.0/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Liberty Elementary School Columbus 0.1 mi 5.9
Dunloe Elementary School Columbus 0.6 mi 3.4
Groveport Madison Middle School North Columbus 1.0 mi 5.3
Sedalia Elementary Columbus 1.0 mi 7.3
Asbury Elementary School Columbus 1.4 mi 5.3
Oakmont Elementary School Columbus 1.5 mi 6.5
Focus Learning Academy of Southeastern Columbus Columbus 1.2 mi 2.6
Woodcrest Elementary School Columbus 1.6 mi 5.4
Arts & College Preparatory Academy Columbus 1.5 mi 5.0
Performance Academy Eastland Columbus 1.4 mi 4.7
Madison Elementary School Columbus 1.4 mi 4.7
Capital City Career Prep High School Columbus 1.4 mi 3.1
Yorktown Middle School Columbus 1.8 mi 3.4
Walnut Ridge High School Columbus 1.8 mi 3.0
Columbus Online Academy Columbus 1.8 mi
Eastland Preparatory Academy Columbus 1.5 mi 2.7
Zenith Academy East Columbus 1.6 mi 4.4
Shady Lane Elementary School Columbus 2.0 mi 4.7
Patriot Preparatory Academy Columbus 2.1 mi 6.4
Columbus Arts & Technology Academy Columbus 1.7 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 43232 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,599

Median Home Value

$152,700

Median Rent

$1,048/mo

Population

46,844

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

38.9%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.6%

Median Age

33.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marion-Franklin High School Columbus, OH 2.9
Towpath Trail High School Akron, OH 2.9
West Cleveland Drop Back In dba Frederick Douglass High Scho Cleveland, OH 2.9
Mifflin High School Columbus, OH 3.0
Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School Cincinnati, OH 2.8
Walnut Ridge High School Columbus, OH 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence High School

What grades does Independence High School serve?

Independence High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence High School?

Independence High School has an enrollment of approximately 676 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence High School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence High School rank in OH?

Independence High School ranks #3,376 of 3,441 schools in OH.

What is Independence High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Independence High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence High School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Independence High School a charter school?

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

Is Independence High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Franklin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
76.3%
4-Year Graduation
75.0%

How we rate schools

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