National city placement
Large, fragmented school market
According to NCES CCD 2024-25, Cleveland has more public-school enrollment than 99% of the 4,487 US cities in this directory. Cleveland is among the largest city school systems in this directory by enrollment, but its campuses are divided among 58 districts. That combination matters: citywide averages blend separate budgets, staffing policies, attendance boundaries, and program rules. For a family comparing schools here, the district column is as important as the city average; two nearby campuses may answer to different boards and draw on different F-33 funding pools.
Combined-grade campuses shape the local portfolio
84 of Cleveland's 154 listed schools use NCES's combined or “other” grade-level classification. Citywide averages therefore blend campuses serving unusually broad or nonstandard grade spans with conventional elementary, middle, and high schools. Grade configuration is a first-order comparison here, not a minor label.
Governance mix is central to a fair comparison
54 of 154 listed Cleveland campuses are reported as charters, so district-run and charter records occupy substantial shares of the same city view. They may follow different governance, enrollment, and program structures even when their mailing city matches. The 59-point gap between Facing History High School@Charles Mooney and Frederick Douglass High School should be read within that context, not as a single-system league table. Check charter status and district affiliation before comparing two nearby schools, and verify current admissions rules with the operator.