Photo: User:OHWiki · CC BY-SA 2.5Marion’s public schools score below 64% of Ohio districts on tests and graduation
35% of students in Marion’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Ohio average (52%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Marion, 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 98% 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.
Marion’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 630 Ohio towns with household incomes within a quarter of Marion’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 60% and 52% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Marion City spends $16,637 per student and River Valley Local $13,040, against $16,610 across Ohio (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Marion’s grade
C+: better than 36% of Ohio school districts, #920 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 Marion, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Ulysses S. Grant Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 917 students · 14:1 students per teacher
River Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
7th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Ulysses S. Grant Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 917 students · 14:1 students per teacher
River Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
8th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Ulysses S. Grant Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 917 students · 14:1 students per teacher
River Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
9th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Harding High School
Grades 9–12 · 916 students · 13:1 students per teacher
River Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 455 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
10th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Harding High School
Grades 9–12 · 916 students · 13:1 students per teacher
River Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 455 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
11th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Harding High School
Grades 9–12 · 916 students · 13:1 students per teacher
River Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 455 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
12th grade in Marion · depends on your address
Harding High School
Grades 9–12 · 916 students · 13:1 students per teacher
River Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 455 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Caledonia
Marion runs its own schools through grade 12 (Marion City School District). From grade PK, students attend the River Valley Local School District, shared with Caledonia, Canaan, Claridon, Marion, Richland, Scott, Tully, Waldo and Waldo. Its elementary school is in Marion. Parts of Marion (11% and 8% of its land) are served by Ridgedale Local and Pleasant Local instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Marion
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
Marion vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Ohio towns that share Marion’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Marion | C+ | Marion City PK–12 · River Valley Local PK–12 |
Every school in Marion
12 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).
Questions about Marion’s schools
Are Marion’s schools good?
On Ohio’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Marion children attend score below 64% of Ohio’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #920 of 993 Ohio towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Marion in?
Two districts: Marion City School District runs grades PK–12, and River Valley Local School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Caledonia, Canaan, Claridon, Marion, Richland, Scott, Tully, Waldo and Waldo.
Where do Marion kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Harding High School and River Valley High School.
What is Marion’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Marion City School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio.
How much does Marion spend per student?
$16,637 in Marion City School District and $13,040 in River Valley Local School District (FY2024), against $16,610 across Ohio. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Marion families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Marion → 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.