Defiance County Schools & Education

Defiance County, Ohio

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

76/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

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

Higher = better

State avg 54/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#3

of 88 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Defiance County

School Verdict

Defiance County is a high-performing district with a school score of 76/100 and a graduation rate of 93.9%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

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.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Defiance County is not available.

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.

Education Overview

About Schools in Defiance County, Ohio

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.

Invest in a Home Near Successful Districts

High graduation rates and strong academic scores offer peace of mind for families moving to Defiance County. Explore local real estate options to find a home within these high-performing school boundaries.

School Overview

Total Schools

14

in Defiance County

Total Enrollment

5,819

students

School Districts

5

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary5
Middle4
High5
Other0

5 School Districts in Defiance County

Defiance City

3 schools
2,339 students

Northeastern Local

3 schools
1,007 students

Central Local

3 schools
915 students

Hicksville Exempted Village School District

3 schools
854 students

Ayersville Local

2 schools
704 students

14 Public Schools in Defiance County

Defiance Elementary School

Defiance City

KG–5Primary1,044 students
Defiance High School

Defiance City

9–12High709 students
Defiance Middle School

Defiance City

6–8Middle586 students
Fairview Elementary School

Central Local

KG–5Primary432 students
Tinora Elementary School

Northeastern Local

KG–4Primary366 students
Hicksville Elementary School

Hicksville Exempted Village School District

KG–4Primary360 students
Ayersville Elementary School

Ayersville Local

KG–6Primary358 students
Ayersville High School

Ayersville Local

7–12High346 students
Tinora Middle School

Northeastern Local

5–8Middle332 students
Tinora High School

Northeastern Local

5–12High309 students
Hicksville Middle School

Hicksville Exempted Village School District

5–8Middle264 students
Fairview High School

Central Local

9–12High261 students
Hicksville High School

Hicksville Exempted Village School District

9–12High230 students
Fairview Middle School

Central Local

6–8Middle222 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$8,474

State avg $7,994

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Defiance County rate?
Defiance County has a school score of 76/100, which is considered high performing. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Defiance County?
The high school graduation rate in Defiance County is 93.9%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Defiance County spend per student?
Defiance County spends $8,474 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

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.

How can I find homes near good schools in Defiance County, Ohio?

High graduation rates and strong academic scores offer peace of mind for families moving to Defiance County. Explore local real estate options to find a home within these high-performing school boundaries.

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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.