Best Schools in Cleveland Metro School District (2026 Guide)
The core mission of the Cleveland Transformation Alliance (Cleveland TA) has always been to help families make informed school choices. To accomplish this, Cleveland TA compiles publicly available data and enhances it with our own survey insights on parent and student satisfaction, school safety, perceived readiness for the next academic level, and the quality of teacher communication.
This guide focuses exclusively on public schools in Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and breaks them down into elementary options (PK-8 or K–8) and high school options.
Best Elementary Schools in CMSD
Campus International School
Campus International shows 93.9% attendance, an above average achievement ranking of 5 out of 109 Cleveland schools, and an above average progress ranking of 12 out of 99. The school has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, with state test scores showing 46% math proficiency and 67% reading proficiency. CMSD also highlights its International Baccalaureate model and Cleveland State University partnership, which gives it a more inquiry-based, globally focused feel than a typical neighborhood school.
Campus International may be one of the best fits for families who want rigor without losing the K-8 continuity that can make transitions less stressful. That continuity is an underrated advantage in school choice.
Campus International Cleveland TA Survey Scorecard
- Parent rating of teacher communication: 88%
- Student sense of safety: 95%
- Parents who believe their child is on track academically: 86%
- Students who feel prepared for the next academic level: 81%
- Parents satisfaction with enrichment options: 80%
- Parent overall satisfaction: 87%
- Student overall satisfaction: 84%
Douglas MacArthur Girls’ Leadership Academy
Douglas MacArthur Girls’ Leadership Academy stands out for parents who want a smaller, mission-driven public elementary option in Cleveland. It has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, with approximately 62% math proficiency and 75% reading proficiency. The Ohio Report Cards district listing also shows Douglas MacArthur at 4.5 stars overall, which makes it one of the stronger CMSD K-8 options on the public data side. CMSD emphasizes its full-day Pre-K, leadership focus, and strong staff qualifications.
Some families are looking for more than just test score history. Douglas MacArthur’s leadership-centered, all-girls environment can be especially appealing for parents prioritizing voice, confidence, and belonging in the early grades.
Douglas MacArthur Cleveland TA Survey Scorecard
- Parent rating of teacher communication: 92%
- Student sense of safety: 98%
- Parents who believe their child is on track academically: 89%
- Students who feel prepared for the next academic level: 84%
- Parents satisfaction with enrichment options: 83%
- Parent overall satisfaction: 91%
- Student overall satisfaction: 88%
Orchard STEM School
Orchard STEM school can be a great option for some students. It delivers moderate reading and math proficiency compared to the previous CMSD schools, but stands out for its hands-on STEM curriculum and strong student engagement. Parents often assume a STEM school will equate to higher test scores, but in reality Orchard STEM school prioritizes project based learning, critical thinking, and student engagement. It has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio, with approximately 14% math proficiency and 26% reading proficiency.
Orchard STEM Cleveland TA Survey Scorecard
- Parent rating of teacher communication: 84%
- Student sense of safety: 91%
- Parents who believe their child is on track academically: 81%
- Students who feel prepared for the next academic level: 81%
- Parents satisfaction with enrichment options: 85%
- Parent overall satisfaction: 82%
- Student overall satisfaction: 83%
Cleveland TA Survey Data K–8 Schools
| School | Teacher Communication | Student Safety | On Track Academically | Prepared for Next Level | Enrichment Satisfaction | Parent Overall Satisfaction | Student Overall Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campus International School | 88% | 95% | 86% | 81% | 80% | 87% | 84% |
| Douglas MacArthur Girls’ Leadership Academy | 92% | 98% | 89% | 84% | 83% | 91% | 88% |
| Orchard STEM School | 84% | 91% | 81% | 81% | 85% | 82% | 83% |
Best High Schools in CMSD
Cleveland School of Science and Medicine
If your child is STEM-oriented, Cleveland School of Science & Medicine is one of the strongest public high school choices in the city. In the Cleveland TA guide, the school ranks 1 out of 42 Cleveland high schools for achievement and 5 out of 36 for progress, with 89.4% attendance and 83.7% college-going rate. CMSD emphasizes its partnership-driven focus on science and medicine pathways.
Cleveland School of Science and Medicine Cleveland TA Survey Scorecard
- Parent rating of teacher communication: 95%
- Student sense of safety: 99%
- Parents who believe their child is on track academically: 97%
- Students who feel prepared for the next academic level: 97%
- Parents satisfaction with enrichment options: 95%
- Parent overall satisfaction: 96%
- Student overall satisfaction: 95%
Cleveland Early College High School
Cleveland Early College High School keeps showing up year after year as one of the best public high schools in the Cleveland area. Ohio Report Cards district results show 4.5 stars overall. CMSD describes it as a rigorous, college-bound program designed for high-achieving students. The school itself notes selective admissions criteria tied to GPA, attendance, and standardized performance.
Cleveland Early College High School Cleveland TA Survey Scorecard
- Parent rating of teacher communication: 98%
- Student sense of safety: 100%
- Parents who believe their child is on track academically: 98%
- Students who feel prepared for the next academic level: 98%
- Parents satisfaction with enrichment options: 96%
- Parent overall satisfaction: 98%
- Student overall satisfaction: 96%
Cleveland School Of Architecture & Design
Cleveland School Of Architecture & Design remains one of the most recognizable names in Cleveland school rankings. While it has historically lacked behind in subject proficiencies, the school is rapidly closing the gap between current performance and state averages. Over 95% of students graduate and over 90% of students take at least one AP exam.
Cleveland School Of Architecture & Design Cleveland TA Survey Scorecard
- Parent rating of teacher communication: 91%
- Student sense of safety: 97%
- Parents who believe their child is on track academically: 92%
- Students who feel prepared for the next academic level: 91%
- Parents satisfaction with enrichment options: 87%
- Parent overall satisfaction: 92%
- Student overall satisfaction: 90%
Cleveland TA Survey Data High Schools
| School | Teacher Communication | Student Safety | On Track Academically | Prepared for Next Level | Enrichment Satisfaction | Parent Overall Satisfaction | Student Overall Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland School of Science and Medicine | 95% | 99% | 97% | 97% | 95% | 96% | 95% |
| Cleveland Early College High School | 98% | 100% | 98% | 98% | 96% | 98% | 96% |
| Cleveland School of Architecture & Design | 91% | 97% | 92% | 91% | 87% | 92% | 90% |
Conclusion
Choosing the right school in CMSD ultimately comes down to understanding what matters most for your child and your family. While test scores and rankings provide important context, Cleveland TA’s mission is to go deeper by pairing academic data with real feedback from parents and students to give a more complete picture of each school experience. Whether you prioritize rigorous academics, a strong sense of safety, leadership development, or hands-on learning, Cleveland offers a range of public school options that can meet those needs. By using both data and lived experiences, families can make more confident, informed decisions and find a school environment where their child is not only supported but truly set up to succeed.