Independence Elementary School in Liberty Township earned the top spot among Lakota Local Schools in the 2027 U.S. News Best Elementary Schools rankings, finishing 37th out of 1,019 ranked Ohio elementary schools with a score of 96.46 out of 100.
The school's students outperformed both district and state averages. Ninety percent scored at or above the proficient level in math, and 88% hit that mark in reading, according to U.S. News. Across the Lakota Local district, 78% of elementary students tested proficient in math and 79% in reading. Statewide, those figures drop to 49% and 55%.
The U.S. News profile lists 608 students at Independence in grades 3 through 6 at 7480 Princeton Rd. in Liberty Township. It has 28 full-time teachers, all certified, and a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
No other Lakota elementary cracked the top 200. Woodland Elementary in Liberty Township came closest at No. 202, followed by Endeavor Elementary at No. 206. Cherokee Elementary ranked 264th, VanGorden Elementary 291st, Union Elementary 351st, Freedom Elementary 403rd and Adena Elementary 486th.
The rankings, released by U.S. News, evaluated nearly 47,000 elementary schools nationwide. Schools were assessed on math and reading proficiency and performance, each weighted at 25%. Half the formula measured raw test scores; the other half factored in socioeconomic demographics. The rankings used state assessment data from the 2023-2024 school year.
Ohio’s top 10 elementary schools
For comparison, here are the 10 highest-ranked public elementary schools statewide, according to U.S. News:
- Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students, Cincinnati
- Grace L Roxbury Elementary, Solon
- Parkside Elementary, Solon
- Wells Academy, Steubenville
- Dorothy E Lewis Elementary, Solon
- Deer Run Elementary, Dublin
- Gurney Elementary, Chagrin Falls
- Montgomery Elementary, Cincinnati
- Whitehouse Primary, Whitehouse
- Kensington Intermediate Elementary, Rocky River
