Choosing the right Columbus-area school district is a critical step when buying a home in Central Ohio. School performance influences home values, neighborhood stability, and long-term resale potential, making school research essential for informed homebuyers.
Choosing a home in Central Ohio means making two major decisions at once: where you want to live, and which school district your family will call home. Even buyers without children pay close attention to school districts, and for good reason. School district quality is one of the most reliable indicators of long-term home value, neighborhood stability, and community investment.
This guide is designed to help you cut through the confusion and make a well-informed decision. We will walk you through how Ohio grades its school districts, what to look for when comparing districts, and provide an in-depth look at each of the ten school districts where Rockford Homes currently builds new homes across Central Ohio.
Whether you are relocating from out of state, a first-time buyer choosing your neighborhood, or a growing family making a move-up purchase, understanding the school landscape is one of the smartest things you can do before signing a contract.
It is no secret that homes in highly rated school districts tend to command higher prices, sell faster, and hold their value more reliably over time. In Central Ohio, this pattern is especially pronounced. Districts like Olentangy and Dublin consistently rank among Ohio’s best-performing, and the communities within their boundaries reflect that reputation in both demand and pricing.
Here is why school district quality matters even if you do not have school-age children:
Ohio’s annual State Report Cards, released each fall by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, provide a standardized benchmark for comparing districts. They are a useful tool, but a community’s culture, extracurricular depth, and growth trajectory tell the rest of the story. We cover how to read and use report cards in the next section.
Before falling in love with a floor plan, take time to research the school district for the community you are considering. Here are the key tools and steps:
The ODEW releases updated report cards annually at reportcard.education.ohio.gov. You can search by district or individual school and view ratings across all six performance categories. This is the most authoritative source for Ohio-specific data.
Sites like GreatSchools.org and Niche.com aggregate state data with user reviews from parents and students. These are useful for getting a sense of school culture, community involvement, and programs beyond what the state measures.
This is critical. School district boundaries do not always follow city or zip code lines, and attendance zones within a district can vary by street. Always confirm which specific schools a home is zoned for by contacting the district’s enrollment office before submitting an offer. A Rockford account executive can also point you toward the right community for your target district.
Test scores tell part of the story. School culture, classroom size, and extracurricular depth fill in the rest. If you can, schedule a school visit during a regular school day, and ask parents in the neighborhood what their experience has been. Local Facebook groups and neighborhood apps can also be valuable sources of candid feedback.
Some districts are growing rapidly, which can mean new facilities, expanded programming, and sustained investment. Others are more stable and established. Both can be appealing depending on your priorities. For fast-growing districts like Olentangy, it is worth checking whether new school construction is keeping pace with enrollment.
The following table summarizes the ten school districts where Rockford Homes builds, based on the most recent available Ohio State Report Card data.
| District | 2024-2025 Rating | Location | High School(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware City Schools | 4.5 Stars | Delaware | Rutherford B. Hayes |
| Dublin City Schools | 4.5 Stars | Dublin | Coffman, Jerome, Scioto |
| Fairbanks Local Schools | 5 Stars | Plain City area | Fairbanks HS |
| Granville Schools | 5 Stars | Granville | Granville HS |
| Jonathan Alder Schools | 4 Stars | Plain City | Jonathan Alder Hs |
| Olentangy Local Schools | 5 Stars | Lewis Center/ Powell | Liberty, Berlin, Orange, Olentangy HS |
| Pickerington Local Schools | 4 Stars | Pickerington | Pickerington North, Pickerington Central |
| South-Western City Schools | 3 Stars | Grove City | Grove City HS, Jackson HS |
| Southwest Licking Schools | 4 Stars | Pataskala | Licking Valley HS |
| Teays Valley Schools | 4 Stars | Ashville | Teays Valley HS |
Note: Report card ratings reflect the 2024-2025 Ohio School Report Card released in September 2025. Individual school ratings within a district may vary. Always verify current data at reportcard.education.ohio.gov.
Here is a closer look at what makes each of these ten districts worth knowing about.
Delaware City Schools serves approximately 5,650 students and has consistently earned strong marks from the state, receiving a 4.5-star overall rating that places it in the “exceeds state standards” category. Rutherford B. Hayes High School anchors the district with a 4-star rating and a 4-year graduation rate above 92%. The district earned five stars in the Progress category on a recent report card, meaning students are making more than a year’s worth of academic growth within the school year.
Delaware City is a solid, community-oriented district with a historic downtown setting, giving students a rich sense of place alongside their academics. Rockford Homes has several communities in Delaware County within this district’s boundaries
Dublin City Schools is widely regarded as one of the premier school districts in all of Ohio. Niche.com has ranked it the #1 school district in the Columbus area, and all three high schools, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, and Dublin Scioto, rank among Ohio’s top 25. The district serves more than 17,000 students representing over 100 countries and speaking more than 100 languages, making it one of the most culturally diverse districts in Central Ohio.
Over 29% of students are identified as gifted, and more than 91% of graduates continue their education at colleges and universities. The district’s 2024-25 overall rating of 4.5 stars reflects a slight dip in early literacy scores attributed to a planned transition in assessment tools, not a decline in actual student performance. An on-campus Emerald Campus offers unique programming for career exploration and college readiness. Rockford Homes has communities
Fairbanks Local Schools is a small but powerfully performing district, earning a 5-star overall rating on Ohio’s 2024-25 State Report Card, the highest rating issued by the state. The district received 5-star ratings in Achievement, Gap Closing, Graduation, and Early Literacy, with a 4-star rating in Progress. Fairbanks High School recently achieved a 95% graduation rate for its 2024 senior class. The district’s Performance Index has risen every year for the past five years, reflecting consistent academic momentum.
Students also benefit from robust extracurricular programming, including a strong athletics and marching band tradition. For buyers seeking a tight-knit, high-achieving district with small-school character, Fairbanks is a standout. Rockford Homes builds in the Plain City area, where select communities fall within the Fairbanks Local School District
Granville Schools consistently ranks among the top public school districts in Ohio, earning a 5-star overall rating on the 2024-25 State Report Card. Test score proficiency rates are exceptional, with approximately 88% of students proficient in math and 87% in reading, both far above state averages. Granville High School ranks 27th in Ohio according to U.S. News and World Report, and the district as a whole sits in the top 5% of Ohio school districts by combined math and reading proficiency. Granville Middle School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
The 98% graduation rate is among the highest in the state. The district is small, with around 2,500 students, giving it an intimate, community-focused character that many families find appealing. Rockford Homes builds near Granville, giving buyers a rare opportunity to access this coveted district through new construction
Jonathan Alder Local Schools serves the Plain City area and consistently performs above state averages in academic achievement. The district’s state test scores are particularly strong in American Government, American History, Biology, and English, and graduation rates have ranged from 94% to 97% in recent years. Jonathan Alder High School ranks #101 in Ohio, placing it in the top 15% of high schools statewide, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The 2024-25 State Report Card results highlighted both strong academic achievement and continued growth across the district. Jonathan Alder is valued by families for its community feel and well-rounded student experience, including strong career exploration and workforce preparation programming introduced in recent years. Rockford Homes builds in Plain City, with communities positioned within the Jonathan Alder Local School District
Olentangy Local Schools is the crown jewel of Central Ohio public education by nearly every measure. For the third consecutive year in 2024-25, the district earned Ohio’s top five-star overall rating, and it is the only district in the state with more than 10,000 students to achieve that distinction. All four Olentangy high schools rank in the top 12 in Central Ohio and the top 50 in Ohio according to U.S. News and World Report, with Olentangy Liberty ranking second in Central Ohio and 12th statewide. The district’s Performance Index of 103.9 ranks 32nd out of 607 districts in the state, and its gap-closing percentage ranks fourth highest statewide.
Serving students across Lewis Center, Powell, and portions of Delaware and Columbus, Olentangy has grown to 27 schools and continues expanding as one of the fastest-growing districts in Ohio, adding roughly 400 to 500 students annually. Rockford Homes has multiple communities throughout the Olentangy district footprint, including developments in Lewis Center and Powell
Pickerington Local Schools earned a 4-star overall rating on the 2024-25 Ohio State Report Card, exceeding state standards for the third consecutive year. The district’s two high schools, Pickerington North and Pickerington Central, are both nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report, with North ranking #63 in Ohio and Central ranking #85. Pickerington is a growing community southeast of Columbus, and the district has kept pace with that growth while maintaining strong academic standards. College Credit Plus, Advanced Placement, and career and technical programming are available at the high school level.
The district acknowledged areas for continued focus, including early literacy and college and career readiness, and district leadership has expressed a clear commitment to addressing those priorities. Rockford Homes builds in Pickerington, offering new construction options within one of Central Ohio’s most consistently recognized districts
South-Western City Schools is the fifth-largest public school district in Ohio, serving more than 21,000 students across 34 schools in Grove City, Galloway, Harrisburg, and surrounding areas. The district received a 3-star overall rating on the 2024-25 State Report Card, a designation that indicates the district meets state standards. District leaders have pointed to progress rankings in the top 16% statewide as a particular strength, reflecting meaningful student growth even as achievement metrics work toward improvement.
Grove City High School and Jackson High School serve the district at the secondary level, both offering College Credit Plus and AP coursework. South-Western City Schools is a large, diverse district with a wide range of programming. For buyers, Grove City offers strong community character, convenient access to Columbus, and Rockford Homes communities at some of the most accessible price points in the region
Southwest Licking Local Schools earned solid marks across several categories on the 2024–25 Ohio School Report Card, demonstrating continued progress in key performance areas. The district serves approximately 4,900 students in Pataskala and the surrounding Licking County area, with math and reading proficiency rates outpacing the Ohio statewide average. Southwest Licking offers a community-oriented learning environment with growing enrollment driven by the continued residential development of the Pataskala area. The district has worked to expand programming at the secondary level, including career and workforce preparation coursework.
For buyers drawn to the value and accessibility of Pataskala, Southwest Licking Local Schools provides a capable, community-focused district that continues to invest in its students. Rockford Homes builds in Pataskala, connecting buyers to this growing district at some of the region’s most accessible new home price points
Teays Valley Local Schools earned a 4-star overall rating on the 2024-25 Ohio State Report Card, with a perfect 5-star score in gap closing and strong performance across achievement and graduation metrics. The district outperforms Ohio’s statewide averages in both math and reading proficiency, demonstrating consistent strength in foundational academics. The four-year graduation rate has reached 93%, a meaningful increase over the prior five-year period. Several individual Teays Valley elementary schools earned top marks of their own, with Scioto Elementary receiving a full 5-star rating.
Serving students in Ashville, South Bloomfield, and the surrounding Pickaway County area, Teays Valley offers a community-driven atmosphere with a consistent record of academic improvement. Rockford Homes builds in the Teays Valley service area, where buyers can find quality new construction alongside a capable, growth-oriented school system
No two families weigh school district factors the same way. Here is a practical framework for narrowing your search based on what matters most to you:
Look at Granville, Olentangy, and Dublin. These three districts consistently rank at or near the top of Ohio’s public school performance metrics, with proficiency scores and graduation rates well above state averages.
Fairbanks Local Schools and Granville offer intimate, relationship-driven school environments with high performance to match. Both serve smaller student populations where students are less likely to get lost in the crowd.
Olentangy and Dublin offer that combination clearly, but Pickerington and Delaware City are also worth watching as both communities continue to attract new residents and investment.
Grove City’s South-Western City Schools, Teays Valley, and Southwest Licking Local Schools all offer capable public education alongside some of the most accessible new home pricing in the region. Rockford Homes builds quality communities in all three areas.
Dublin City Schools, with 29% of students identified as gifted and access to International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Academies programming, is among the strongest in Ohio for academically advanced students. Granville and Olentangy also offer strong gifted programming.
Dublin received high marks from the state, specifically in the readiness category, and Olentangy’s AP participation rate and college readiness scores are consistently strong. Jonathan Alder has also made recent investments in career exploration programming.
When you purchase an existing home, you get the school district you get. When you build new, you choose your district intentionally. That distinction matters more than most buyers realize.
“At Rockford Homes, we have always believed that a great home is about more than four walls and a roof. It is about the community you are joining and the opportunities waiting for your family. That is why every community we build is carefully chosen with school quality in mind. We want our homeowners to feel confident that they are not just investing in a home — they are investing in their children’s future.”
— Robert Yoakam, CEO, Rockford Homes
With Rockford Homes, you are not just selecting a floor plan and a lot. You are choosing a community carefully positioned within one of Central Ohio’s established school districts. Rockford strategically selects community locations with access to quality schools as one of the core criteria, which is why our communities span ten different districts across the region.
Whether your priority is a five-star district with elite academic programming or a solid, community-focused district paired with an accessible price point, Rockford has a community that fits your family’s goals. Our Rockford Homes team members can walk you through exactly which schools serve each of our communities, and help you find the right combination of location, school district, and floor plan for your family.
Visit any of our model homes across Central Ohio to learn more, or explore our current communities online at rockfordhomes.com.
School district boundaries are independently drawn and can cross city limits, county lines, and zip codes. Two homes on the same street can sometimes fall in different districts. As covered in the research section above, always verify the specific attendance zone using the home’s address before submitting an offer.
The Ohio State Report Card is released each fall by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Districts are rated on a one-to-five-star scale across six performance categories, with an overall rating calculated in half-star increments. The most recent report cards reflect the 2024-2025 school year. You can read the full methodology at education.ohio.gov.
Research consistently shows that homes in highly rated school districts sell faster and for higher prices than comparable homes in lower-rated districts. In Central Ohio, districts like Olentangy, Dublin, and Granville are particularly strong drivers of home value. Even buyers without school-age children benefit from this dynamic when it is time to sell.
That depends on the district. Some districts, including Dublin and Olentangy, offer open enrollment options and specialized programs that allow students to attend schools other than their assigned building. Contact the specific district for details on open enrollment policies, gifted programming, and magnet or specialty options.
Each Rockford Homes community is located within a specific school district. Our account executives can confirm which schools serve each community, and you can also verify directly with the district’s enrollment office using the home’s address. Visit rockfordhomes.com or schedule an appointment at any of our model homes to learn more.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce releases updated report cards every fall, reflecting the prior school year’s performance. Ratings can shift from year to year based on assessment tool changes, enrollment shifts, and programmatic investments. It is always a good idea to check the most current report card data before making a final decision about your housing options.
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