Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Lorain’s public schools score below 80% of Ohio districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Lorain’s districts is 16%, below the Ohio average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lorain, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Ohio, not nationally.
From Ohio state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lorain’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 670 Ohio towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lorain’s, its schools beat 1%, lower than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 60% and 52% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
71% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $23,327 per student in FY2024, against $16,610 across Ohio. 31% of its revenue that year was federal (Ohio 12%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Constellation Schools: Lorain Community Elementary, Summit Academy Community School Alternative Learners-Lorain, Constellation Schools: Lorain Community Middle, Lorain Preparatory Academy, Horizon Science Academy Lorain, Lorain Bilingual Preparatory Academy, Lorain Preparatory High School, Steel City High School, St. Peter School (private), St. Anthony of Padua (private) and St. Anthony of Padua School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lorain’s grade
C−: better than 20% of Ohio school districts, #985 of 993 Ohio towns. Both inputs trail the Ohio average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lorain, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lorain · depends on your address
General Johnnie Wilson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 439 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Southview Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 423 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Longfellow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lorain · depends on your address
General Johnnie Wilson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 439 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Southview Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 423 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Longfellow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lorain · depends on your address
General Johnnie Wilson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 439 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Southview Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 423 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Longfellow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lorain
Lorain High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,773 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lorain · depends on your address
Lorain High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,773 students · 18:1 students per teacher
New Beginnings
Grades 10–12 · 125 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lorain · depends on your address
Lorain High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,773 students · 18:1 students per teacher
New Beginnings
Grades 10–12 · 125 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lorain · depends on your address
Lorain High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,773 students · 18:1 students per teacher
New Beginnings
Grades 10–12 · 125 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Lorain’s public schools are run by Lorain City School District. Parts of Lorain (16%, 9% and 8% of its land) are served by Amherst Exempted Village, Vermilion Local and Clearview Local instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Lorain vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Ohio towns that share Lorain’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lorain | C− | Lorain City |
| Sheffield | B | Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City |
| Sheffield Township | C+ | Clearview Local |
| Amherst | B+ | Amherst Exempted Village |
| Elyria | C | Elyria City |
| Brownhelm | B+ | Vermilion Local PK–12 · Firelands Local K–12 |
| Amherst Township | B+ | Amherst Exempted Village PK–12 · Firelands Local K–12 |
| Vermilion | B+ | Vermilion Local PK–12 · Firelands Local K–12 |
| Sheffield Lake | B | Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City |
Every school in Lorain
26 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Ohio’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Digital Academy).
Questions about Lorain’s schools
Are Lorain’s schools good?
On Ohio’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lorain children attend score below 80% of Ohio’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #985 of 993 Ohio towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 1%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lorain in?
Lorain City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,150 students in 15 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Lorain are served by Amherst Exempted Village, Vermilion Local and Clearview Local.
Where do Lorain kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Lorain High School and New Beginnings.
What is Lorain’s graduation rate?
71% of the class of 2023 in Lorain City School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio.
How much does Lorain spend per student?
$23,327 in Lorain City School District (FY2024), against $16,610 across Ohio. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lorain?
Yes: St. Peter School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 363 students), St. Anthony of Padua (Catholic, grades PK–8, 238 students) and St. Anthony of Padua School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 230 students). Lorain also has 8 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lorain families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lorain → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Ohio. Stars are from neighbors.