Marion County Schools & Education
Marion County, Ohio
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
13/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
61.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
61.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,444
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,994
School Score
13/100
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
#88
of 88 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Marion County
School Verdict
Marion County faces educational challenges with a school score of 13/100 and a graduation rate of 61.4%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,444 per pupil, Marion County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Marion County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 77% below the Ohio average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 26.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 19% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Marion County, Ohio
Marion's System of 27 Public Schools
Marion County operates 27 public schools serving 12,292 students within nine distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 11 elementary schools and a significant number of specialized or digital learning facilities.
Facing Challenges in Student Outcomes
The county reports a graduation rate of 61.4%, which trails both the state average and the 87% national benchmark. Per-pupil spending of $6,444 is significantly lower than the national average of $13,000, impacting the overall school score of 37.3.
Marion City and Digital Academy Leaders
Marion City is the largest traditional district with nine schools and 4,223 students. Interestingly, the single largest school is the TRECA Digital Academy, a charter institution with an enrollment of 2,152 students.
Rural Roots with Large Central Schools
Education here is split between rural settings and centralized towns, with an average school size of 492 students. While many schools are small, Harding High School and Ulysses S. Grant Middle School both serve roughly 1,000 students each.
Discovering Your Place in Marion Education
Families in Marion County have access to both traditional town schools and unique digital learning platforms. Explore local housing options to find a community that aligns with your educational priorities.
School Overview
Total Schools
27
in Marion County
Total Enrollment
12,292
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
3
11% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Marion County
Marion City
TRECA Digital Academy
River Valley Local
Pleasant Local
Elgin Local
Ridgedale Local
Tri-Rivers
Buckeye Community School - Marion
Marion Preparatory Academy
27 Public Schools in Marion County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRECA Digital Academy | TRECA Digital Academy | KG–12 | Charter | 2,152 |
| Harding High School | Marion City | 9–12 | High | 1,050 |
| Ulysses S. Grant Middle School | Marion City | 6–8 | Middle | 998 |
| River Valley High School | River Valley Local | 9–12 | High | 517 |
| Tri-Rivers Career Center | Tri-Rivers | 10–12 | Vocational | 514 |
| Heritage Elementary School | River Valley Local | KG–5 | Primary | 495 |
| Elgin Elementary School | Elgin Local | KG–5 | Primary | 490 |
| Pleasant Elementary School | Pleasant Local | KG–4 | Primary | 475 |
| River Valley Middle School | River Valley Local | 6–8 | Middle | 453 |
| George Washington Elementary School | Marion City | PK–5 | Primary | 448 |
| Liberty Elementary School | River Valley Local | PK–5 | Primary | 436 |
| Pleasant Middle School | Pleasant Local | 5–8 | Middle | 425 |
| William H. Taft Elementary School | Marion City | PK–5 | Primary | 394 |
| Benjamin Harrison Elementary School | Marion City | PK–5 | Primary | 391 |
| James A. Garfield Elementary School | Marion City | PK–5 | Primary | 368 |
| William McKinley Elementary School | Marion City | PK–5 | Primary | 348 |
| Pleasant High School | Pleasant Local | 9–12 | High | 326 |
| Ridgedale Jr/Sr High School | Ridgedale Local | 6–12 | High | 316 |
| Ridgedale Elementary School | Ridgedale Local | PK–5 | Primary | 311 |
| Buckeye Community School - Marion | Buckeye Community School - Marion | 9–12 | Charter | 306 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,444
State avg $7,994
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Marion County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Marion County?
How much does Marion County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Marion County, Ohio — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Marion County, Ohio?
Marion County operates 27 public schools serving 12,292 students within nine distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 11 elementary schools and a significant number of specialized or digital learning facilities.
How do schools in Marion County perform academically?
The county reports a graduation rate of 61.4%, which trails both the state average and the 87% national benchmark. Per-pupil spending of $6,444 is significantly lower than the national average of $13,000, impacting the overall school score of 37.3.
What are the major school districts in Marion County, Ohio?
Marion City is the largest traditional district with nine schools and 4,223 students. Interestingly, the single largest school is the TRECA Digital Academy, a charter institution with an enrollment of 2,152 students.
What is the school experience like in Marion County?
Education here is split between rural settings and centralized towns, with an average school size of 492 students. While many schools are small, Harding High School and Ulysses S. Grant Middle School both serve roughly 1,000 students each.
How can I find homes near good schools in Marion County, Ohio?
Families in Marion County have access to both traditional town schools and unique digital learning platforms. Explore local housing options to find a community that aligns with your educational priorities.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.