By 1808Delaware
Delaware County schools once again earned high marks on Ohio’s 2025 School Report Cards, with several districts showing strong academic results and steady progress in preparing students for life after graduation. The five-star system, introduced under the state’s most recent accountability framework, highlights how local schools continue to set the bar for success.
Olentangy Local Schools Leads the Way
Olentangy Local Schools, the county’s largest district and one of the largest in Ohio, received a five-star overall rating for the third consecutive year. That achievement makes it the largest district in the state to consistently earn the top score under the current system.
Olentangy earned five stars in academic achievement, gap closing, and graduation rates. The district scored four stars in early literacy and student progress, categories where most large districts across Ohio tend to see greater variability.
A key highlight came from the college, career, workforce, and military readiness measure. This relatively new metric tracks how well schools prepare students for the years after graduation. Olentangy improved to 71.3% readiness, a 1.5% increase from the prior year.
Delaware City Schools Holds Steady
While precise overall ratings for Delaware City Schools have not yet been detailed in the latest state data, the district remains among the county’s consistently strong performers. Delaware schools typically earn three stars or higher across categories, reflecting steady performance and a reputation for focusing on student success. The district has also been noted for its emphasis on responsible data practices and academic balance.
Big Walnut Local Schools Meets the Mark
Big Walnut Local Schools also continues to perform well, typically scoring between 3.5 and 4 stars overall. Though detailed readiness scores for 2025 have not been cited, the district is included among those that meet or exceed the state’s new benchmarks for post-graduation preparation.
Westerville City Schools Shows Growth
Westerville City Schools, which serves parts of Delaware and Franklin counties, earned four stars overall. The district also scored four stars each in achievement and student growth, signaling performance above minimum state standards. At the high school level, Westerville Central and Westerville North reported a mix of three and four-star ratings across categories, continuing the district’s trend of strong but balanced performance.
Buckeye Valley Local Schools Sets Records
Buckeye Valley Local Schools earned 21 out of 25 possible points, generally equivalent to four stars overall. Graduation stood out as a point of pride: the district not only earned five stars for this measure but also set a record with 39% of seniors receiving Honors Diplomas. Graduation rates reached 90–94%, well above the state average. The district is also ranked in the top 30% of Ohio schools for combined state test proficiency.
A County That Exceeds Expectations
The 2025 report cards showed that more than 90% of Ohio’s districts earned at least three stars overall. Delaware County’s schools were among the best of the best, with results anchored by Olentangy’s standout performance and complemented by strong showings from other districts.
For families considering the county, these results reinforce Delaware’s reputation as one of the top areas in Ohio for both academics and preparing students for the future.
For full details, including individual school ratings and readiness breakdowns, residents can visit the Ohio Department of Education’s online report card portal.
Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay
