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Needs Improvement

#3394 of 3,440 schools in OH

Smart Academy

Elementary School · SMART Academy

4351 E 131st St, Garfield Heights, OH 44105

Charter

Enrollment

83

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garfield Heights

#6 of 8

public schools

Ohio elementary schools

#1,701 of 1,742

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Smart Academy

SMART Academy serves 83 students in kindergarten through fourth grade as a public charter elementary school in Garfield Heights, Ohio. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, allowing for more individualized attention in small classroom settings. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #708 out of 3,468 Ohio schools.

Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 69% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 70% reach proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. SMART Academy operates in the 44105 ZIP code area, where families face economic challenges with a median household income of $34,141 and a poverty rate of 31.1%. The surrounding neighborhood has a median home value of $53,400, and about 10% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite these socioeconomic factors, the school's academic results suggest effective educational programming for its young learners. The school is situated in Garfield Heights' large suburban setting within Cuyahoga County, providing families with a charter school option that emphasizes small class sizes and personalized learning in the early elementary years.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 83 students, Smart Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Smart Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Smart Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.0Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-32.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-55.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,425

Smart Academy — Students at Smart Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 42.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.5%
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
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 1.0/10.

How Smart Academy Compares

See how Smart Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
1th percentile in OH
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
1.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

4351 E 131st St, Garfield Heights, OH 44105

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smart Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RAMAH JUNIOR ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Robert H Jamison School (rated 6.1/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charles Dickens School (rated 6.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Cleveland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Garfield Heights, see our Garfield Heights schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Miles School Cleveland 0.5 mi 4.2
Harvard Avenue Performance Academy Cleveland 0.6 mi 5.4
Robert H Jamison School Cleveland 0.7 mi 6.1
Southern Cleveland Drop Back Indba Innovative Career Academy Cleveland 0.9 mi 6.9
Charles Dickens School Cleveland 1.0 mi 6.1
John F Kennedy High School Cleveland 0.8 mi 7.7
John Adams College & Career Academy Cleveland 1.1 mi 5.5
Cleveland Metro Remote School K-12 Cleveland 1.1 mi 6.9
Citizens Academy Southeast Cleveland 1.0 mi 3.0
Andrew J Rickoff Cleveland 1.6 mi 5.3
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL Garfield Heights 1.7 mi 8.1
Nathan Hale School Cleveland 1.6 mi 5.7
RAMAH JUNIOR ACADEMY Cleveland 1.5 mi 7.4
William Foster Elementary School Garfield Heights 1.9 mi 3.2
Garfield Heights High School Garfield Heights 1.6 mi 3.6
Elmwood Elementary School Garfield Heights 1.8 mi 2.9
North Shore High School Garfield Heights 1.6 mi 5.3
The Brilliance School Garfield Heights 2.0 mi 2.0
Miles Park School Cleveland 1.7 mi 5.3
Maple Leaf Elementary School Garfield Heights 2.5 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 44105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,294

Median Home Value

$56,400

Median Rent

$888/mo

Population

33,358

College Educated

11.3%

Homeownership

47.5%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

26.7%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smart Academy has a median household income of $38,294. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $56,400, with a median rent of $888/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smart Academy

What grades does Smart Academy serve?

Smart Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Smart Academy?

Smart Academy has an enrollment of approximately 83 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smart Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Smart Academy is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smart Academy rank in OH?

Smart Academy is ranked #3394 out of 3,440 schools in OH.

What is Smart Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Smart Academy has a composite rating of 2.9 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 Smart Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smart Academy has 42.5% math proficiency and 42.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smart Academy a charter school?

Yes, Smart Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Smart Academy a Title I school?

No, Smart Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smart Academy?

96.4% of students at Smart Academy 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

City Safety
High (2,351/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Garfield Heights). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
83
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cuyahoga County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SMART Academy
District Enrollment
83
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,404
District Rank
#1 of 1

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

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