John R Lea Middle School

John R Lea Middle School is a regular public school in Apple Creek, Ohio, serving 186 students across grades 7 and 8. The school's 12.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio keeps teachers close to students — an environment where seventh and eighth graders get direct, frequent access to instruction in a small-school setting. The school earns a 9.2 out of 10 composite score, rated Exceptional, with academic performance at 8.9 and growth at 9.5.

John R Lea converts those scores into a statewide rank of 6th among 650 middle schools in Ohio, placing it in the top 1 percent of the state's entire middle school tier. For a two-grade school, that is a genuinely elite position. Zoom out to every public school in Ohio at any grade level, and John R Lea still lands at #35 of 3,440.

It outperforms 99 percent of Ohio's public schools — a result that puts it alongside the state's most competitive academic programs. Among the three schools in Apple Creek, John R Lea ranks first.

With an enrollment of 186 students, John R Lea Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, John R Lea Middle 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.