Defiance County Schools & Education
Defiance County, Ohio
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
76/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Higher Signal
Graduation Rate
93.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,474
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,994
School Score
76/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 54/100
State Score Position
#3
of 88 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Defiance County
Measured School Summary
Defiance County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 76/100 and a graduation rate of 93.9%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.
Funding Context
Defiance County spends $8,474 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 41% above the Ohio average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Defiance County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
14 public schools and 5 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
76/100
Higher measured signal. Ranks #3 of 88 Ohio counties with school score data.
Completion
93.9%
5.6 pts above the state average
Funding context
$8,474
$480 above the state average
School coverage
14
5 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Defiance County has 14 public schools across 5 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Defiance County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Higher-signal county
Defiance County screens well on the measured county-level school signal. The next check is whether that strength is broad across districts or concentrated in a few school pathways.
State position
#3
of 88 Ohio counties with school score data. The county score is 22 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Defiance City
Elementary to high school visible
2,339 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
Northeastern Local
Elementary to high school visible
1,007 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
Central Local
Elementary to high school visible
915 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
Hicksville Exempted Village School District
Elementary to high school visible
854 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Central Local is the largest listed district slice, with 3 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Defiance County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Defiance County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Defiance County, Ohio
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Streamlined School Infrastructure in Northwest Ohio
Defiance County maintains a focused network of 14 schools serving 5,819 students across 5 districts. The system provides a clear student path through 5 elementary and 5 high schools.
Superior Academic Results and Strong Investment
The county’s graduation rate reaches 93.9%, significantly higher than the 88.3% state average. Schools here are well-supported, with per-pupil spending of $8,474 exceeding the Ohio state benchmark of $7,994.
Defiance City Leads Traditional Local Districts
Defiance City is the prominent district, managing 3 schools and 2,339 students. The county contains no charter schools, keeping the educational focus entirely on local districts like Hicksville and Central Local.
A Traditional Rural and Town Feel
With 11 rural schools and 3 town-based campuses, the average school size sits at 416 students. Defiance Elementary is the county's largest hub, enrolling 1,044 students in a single facility.
School Overview
Total Schools
14
in Defiance County
Reported Enrollment
5,819
14 schools reporting
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
5 School Districts in Defiance County
Defiance City
Northeastern Local
Central Local
Hicksville Exempted Village School District
Ayersville Local
14 Public Schools in Defiance County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 14 of 14 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defiance Elementary School | Profile | Defiance City | Defiance, 43512Town: Distant | KG–5 | Primary | 1,044 |
| Defiance High School | Record | Defiance City | Defiance, 43512Town: Distant | 9–12 | High | 709 |
| Defiance Middle School | Record | Defiance City | Defiance, 43512Town: Distant | 6–8 | Middle | 586 |
| Fairview Elementary School | Record | Central Local | Sherwood, 43556Rural: Distant | KG–5 | Primary | 432 |
| Tinora Elementary School | Record | Northeastern Local | Defiance, 43512Rural: Distant | KG–4 | Primary | 366 |
| Hicksville Elementary School | Record | Hicksville Exempted Village School District | Hicksville, 43526Rural: Fringe | KG–4 | Primary | 360 |
| Ayersville Elementary School | Record | Ayersville Local | Defiance, 43512Rural: Fringe | KG–6 | Primary | 358 |
| Ayersville High School | Record | Ayersville Local | Defiance, 43512Rural: Fringe | 7–12 | High | 346 |
| Tinora Middle School | Record | Northeastern Local | Defiance, 43512Rural: Distant | 5–8 | Middle | 332 |
| Tinora High School | Record | Northeastern Local | Defiance, 43512Rural: Distant | 5–12 | High | 309 |
| Hicksville Middle School | Record | Hicksville Exempted Village School District | Hicksville, 43526Rural: Fringe | 5–8 | Middle | 264 |
| Fairview High School | Record | Central Local | Sherwood, 43556Rural: Distant | 9–12 | High | 261 |
| Hicksville High School | Record | Hicksville Exempted Village School District | Hicksville, 43526Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 230 |
| Fairview Middle School | Record | Central Local | Sherwood, 43556Rural: Distant | 6–8 | Middle | 222 |
Defiance Elementary School
Defiance City
Defiance, 43512 / Town: Distant
Fairview Elementary School
Central Local
Sherwood, 43556 / Rural: Distant
Tinora Elementary School
Northeastern Local
Defiance, 43512 / Rural: Distant
Hicksville Elementary School
Hicksville Exempted Village School District
Hicksville, 43526 / Rural: Fringe
Ayersville Elementary School
Ayersville Local
Defiance, 43512 / Rural: Fringe
Hicksville Middle School
Hicksville Exempted Village School District
Hicksville, 43526 / Rural: Fringe
Hicksville High School
Hicksville Exempted Village School District
Hicksville, 43526 / Rural: Fringe
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,474
State avg $7,994
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Defiance County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Ohio counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Ohio?
How should I read the school score in Defiance County?
What is the graduation rate in Defiance County?
How much does Defiance County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Defiance County, Ohio — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Defiance County, Ohio?
Defiance County maintains a focused network of 14 schools serving 5,819 students across 5 districts. The system provides a clear student path through 5 elementary and 5 high schools.
How do schools in Defiance County perform academically?
The county’s graduation rate reaches 93.9%, significantly higher than the 88.3% state average. Schools here are well-supported, with per-pupil spending of $8,474 exceeding the Ohio state benchmark of $7,994.
What are the major school districts in Defiance County, Ohio?
Defiance City is the prominent district, managing 3 schools and 2,339 students. The county contains no charter schools, keeping the educational focus entirely on local districts like Hicksville and Central Local.
What is the school experience like in Defiance County?
With 11 rural schools and 3 town-based campuses, the average school size sits at 416 students. Defiance Elementary is the county's largest hub, enrolling 1,044 students in a single facility.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.