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Very Good

#959 of 3,440 schools in OH

Top 28% in state

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students

School · Cincinnati Public Schools

2825 Alms Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45206

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

7.2

Grades

3rd – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cincinnati

#34 of 171

public schools

Ohio schools

#21 of 162

In district

#7 of 65

Cincinnati Public Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students stands as Ohio's top-ranked public school, earning the #1 position among 3,468 schools statewide and achieving an exceptional 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This specialized institution serves 336 students in grades 3 through 12, maintaining an impressive 12:1 student-teacher ratio with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic excellence is evident in its outstanding test performance, with 96% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 84% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's focused mission of serving gifted and exceptional learners who benefit from specialized educational programming. Located on Alms Place in Cincinnati's Hamilton County, Spencer Center operates within a diverse urban community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 45206 has a median household income of $51,190 and median home values of $251,600, representing a mixed-income area where 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line.

Spencer Center's remarkable academic achievements and specialized focus make it a standout choice for families seeking challenging educational opportunities in Cincinnati's large city environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+23.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,182

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students — Students at Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students score 77% 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

42.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 74.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 87.5%
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
78%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
70%
ELA
84%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students Compares

See how Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in OH
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

2825 Alms Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45206

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students may also want to explore other schools in the area. THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL -DOHERTY CAMPUS (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Walnut Hills High School (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MERCY MONTESSORI CENTER (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cincinnati, see our Cincinnati schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Frederick Douglass School Cincinnati 0.0 mi 4.2
Dampe Community School Cincinnati 0.3 mi 2.1
Priority High School Cincinnati 0.3 mi 5.0
ST URSULA ACADEMY Cincinnati 0.4 mi 7.2
ST URSULA ACADEMY Cincinnati 0.4 mi 7.2
Queen City Career Prep High School Cincinnati 0.4 mi 6.1
MERCY MONTESSORI CENTER Cincinnati 0.5 mi 8.1
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Cincinnati 0.5 mi 6.5
PURCELL MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL Cincinnati 0.6 mi 7.7
Walnut Hills High School Cincinnati 0.8 mi 8.4
Dohn Community Cincinnati 0.7 mi 5.2
THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL -DOHERTY CAMPUS Cincinnati 0.7 mi 8.8
Evanston Academy Cincinnati 0.9 mi 3.9
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati Cincinnati 1.2 mi 6.0
Dayton High School Dayton 1.2 mi 7.0
Lincoln Elementary School Dayton 1.3 mi 6.6
ReGeneration Schools Avondale Elementary Cincinnati 1.4 mi 2.5
South Avondale School Cincinnati 1.3 mi 3.6
Rockdale Academy Cincinnati 1.3 mi 3.4
William H Taft Elementary School Cincinnati 1.2 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 45206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,128

Median Home Value

$269,900

Median Rent

$849/mo

Population

10,387

College Educated

49.3%

Homeownership

33.4%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

22%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students has a median household income of $51,128. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $269,900, with a median rent of $849/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Xenia, OH 7.2
ROSS COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chillicothe, OH 7.2
WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington, OH 7.2
TOLEDO ISLAMIC ACADEMY Sylvania, OH 7.3
JEFFERSON COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wintersville, OH 7.1
ST JOSEPH CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fremont, OH 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students

What grades does Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students serve?

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students serves students in grades 3rd through 12th.

How many students attend Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students?

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students?

The student-teacher ratio at Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students rank in OH?

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students is ranked #959 out of 3,440 schools in OH.

What is Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students's MySchoolScout rating?

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students has 74.0% math proficiency and 87.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students a charter school?

No, Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students a Title I school?

No, Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students?

42.3% of students at Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students 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
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,675/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 12th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hamilton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cincinnati Public Schools
District Enrollment
34,860
Schools in District
66
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,415
District Rank
#7 of 65

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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