2026 data 22 schools OH

Best Schools in Lima, OH

22 public K-12 schools in Lima from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

22 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in Lima, OH using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

22
Schools
8,917
Students
Avg Quality
15.4:1
Avg Class Size

How the Lima Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

Lima, OH enrolls 8,917 students across 22 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, 2 are charter schools, giving families genuine alternatives to the traditional neighbourhood assignment model. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 15.4:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in Lima is Lima Senior High School, scoring 27/100 (F) with 1,004 enrolled students at the high level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

Lima schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect Lima housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

Lima school enrollment varies 143× across entities

Lima school enrollment ranges from 7 students (lowest) to 1,004 students (highest), a spread of 997 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme heterogeneity inside a single city — small specialty programs sit alongside large comprehensive campuses, often serving very different family demographics inside walking distance. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Lima operates 7 school districts — among the most fragmented governance structures in the country

Each school district has independent budgeting, hiring, and service delivery authority. The fragmentation reflects historical patterns of inter-municipal boundary lines that pre-date modern city growth — students in different parts of the same city can attend different districts with different per-pupil spending, calendars, and graduation requirements. Per-region variation is largest in fragmented systems because each school district sets its own budget, contracts, and priorities without higher-level coordination above the regulatory floor.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Lima student-teacher ratio is 15.4:1 — near the typical range (US average ~16) — aligned with the U.S. average of approximately 16:1

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Variation between sub-units within Lima is typically wider than the Lima-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

# School Score
1. Lima Senior High School 27 F
2. Apollo Career Center 32 F
3. Bath Elementary School 20 F
4. Shawnee Middle School 38 F
5. Shawnee High School 43 D
6. Elmwood Elementary School 28 F
7. Heritage Elementary School 42 D
8. Bath High School 29 F
9. Bath Middle School 26 F
10. Perry Elementary School 32 F
11. Maplewood Elementary School 37 F
12. Liberty Arts Magnet K-8 48 D
13. Lima West Middle School 48 D
14. Lima North Middle School 35 F
15. Perry High School 34 F
16. Independence Elementary School 22 F
17. Unity Elementary School 56 C
18. Freedom Elementary School 46 D
19. Heir Force Community School 22 F
20. Lima South Science-Technology Magnet K-8 62 C+
21. West Central Learning Academy Ii 29 F
22. Bath Digital Academy 27 F

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in Lima, OH?

The top-rated school in Lima is Lima Senior High School with a quality score of 27/100. There are 22 public schools in Lima with 8,917 total students.

How many schools are in Lima, OH?

Lima has 22 public schools with a total enrollment of 8,917 students. 2 are charter schools. Average student-teacher ratio: 15.4:1.

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Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.