Akron Public Schools


Akron Public Schools is a school district serving students in Akron, Ohio, United States, and nearby communities. It is in northeastern Ohio, less than south of Cleveland and north of Canton. The district encompasses and includes, as of the 2024–25 school year, eight high schools, nine middle schools, 31 elementary schools, and three administration buildings. About 20,000 students are enrolled. The district employs 2,800 full-time and 1700 part-time employees. Its annual budget exceeds $559 million.

History

Planning of the district began in 1840, when Ansel Miller suggested to build free public schools for all children in the city, paid for by property taxes. After enduring much opposition by citizens, in 1843 Miller joined with Rev. Isaac Jennings. Three years later, Jennings became the chairman of a committee of citizens who discussed how to improve the school system. On November 21, 1846, their plan was approved unanimously by the citizens. The Ohio Legislature adopted the plan, called "An act for the support and better regulation of the Common Schools of the Town of Akron" on February 8, 1847. Akron's first public schools were established in the fall of 1847 and were led by Mortimer Leggett. The first annual report showed that it cost less than $2 a year to educate a child. In 1857 the cost of running the schools for a year was $4,200. The primary schools were taught by young women, which the Akron Board of Education justified because they could be paid less and were under the supervision of a male superintendent.
From 1877 to 1952, Akron graduated students semi-annually instead of annually. 9% of the city's school-aged population were born in other countries in 1888. In the 1920s, an Americanization program was designed to help the many Akron students who were first-generation Americans. Classes were in the rubber companies and some of the schools. A "continuation school" began for working boys and girls who were required by law to have at least four hours of schooling a week. In 1924, Akron's platoon schools attracted visitors from all over the country. Being a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan during the decade, the majority of school board and government officials were members. Their influence ended with the arrival of Wendell Willkie.
During the city's 1950s boom town phase, Akron schools grew eight times faster than the city's population. In 1967, Kenmore launched the Air Force JROTC. In 1971, Jennings piloted the middle school model, which moved ninth-graders to the senior high school. In 1984, all-day kindergarten was piloted at Seiberling, Rankin and Hatton schools, and Ellet, East and Garfield high schools piloted the in-school suspension program. The district received an A+ evaluation from the state in 1987.

Schools

Akron Public Schools is reconstructing its buildings. Through a partnership with the city of Akron and the Ohio School Facilities Commission, schools have been rebuilt or remodeled as "community learning centers", which operate as schools by day and community centers by night and on weekends. Twenty-nine CLCs are complete and an additional four are in the design or construction stage. The city is responsible for scheduling the use of these buildings after school hours.

High schools

The schools will merge and be housed at the Kenmore location for the 2017–2018 school year as "Kenmore-Garfield" while the new building is constructed on the Garfield site. The new building is expected to open in 2022 and will be called the "Garfield Community Learning Center".

Middle schools

Elementary schools

  • Arnold CLC
  • Barber CLC
  • Betty Jane CLC
  • Bridges
  • Case CLC
  • Crouse CLC
  • Findley CLC
  • Forest Hill CLC
  • Glover CLC
  • Harris-Jackson CLC
  • Hatton CLC
  • Hill CLC
  • King CLC
  • Leggett CLC
  • Mason CLC
  • McEbright CLC
  • Pfeiffer
  • Portage Path CLC
  • Resnik CLC
  • Rimer CLC
  • Ritzman CLC
  • Sam Salem CLC
  • Schumacher CLC
  • Seiberling CLC
  • Voris CLC
  • Windemere CLC

Specialty schools

Former schools

High schools

Middle schools

  • Goodrich Middle School closed at the end of the 2008–09 school year. It was demolished in 2025.
  • Goodyear Middle School closed in 2012 and was combined with the former East High School once construction of East CLC was completed. The building was demolished in 2025.
  • Perkins Technology Middle School. Three buildings were constructed. The second was renamed Hower Vocational School. The original building was torn down in 1949. It closed after housing Litchfield Middle School during construction after the spring of 2016.
  • Roswell Kent Middle School closed in spring 2017.
  • Riedinger Middle School closed at the end of the 2008–09 school year and became the Akron Opportunity Center
  • Thornton Junior High School opened in 1955 at the former South High School after a new South High was built. Thornton closed in 1979 and the building was later demolished.
  • West Jr. High School opened around 1953 in the former West High School. It closed in 1980 and later became senior citizen living apartments.

Elementary schools

  • Allen Elementary School closed in 1967 and was demolished.
  • Barret Elementary School closed at the end of the 2011–12 school year. The building is now occupied by Bridges Learning Center.
  • Bettes Elementary School closed in spring 2017. It was demolished in 2023.
  • Bryan Elementary School closed in 1978. It became Glenwood Jail, which also houses drug and alcohol rehabilitation services through Oriana House.
  • Colonial Elementary School closed in 1964 and became part of the Sheet Metal Worker's Union for a number of years. It reopened in August 2013 as Colonial Preparatory Academy, a charter school serving students in Kenmore and West Akron.
  • Crosby closed in 2004 and was used as the Akron Alternative School until it was demolished.
  • Fairlawn Elementary School was demolished in 2006 and replaced by Judith Resnik Community Learning Center.
  • Erie Island Elementary School closed at the end of the 2008–09 school year. The Akron School of Practical Nursing was moved into the building in 2009.
  • Essex Elementary school Closed 2011-12 School year
  • Firestone Park Elementary School closed at the end of the 2023–24 school year.
  • Fraunfelter Elementary School closed in 1980 and now houses Oriana House Administrative Offices.
  • Grace Elementary School became an antiques mall for a few years and then was demolished. The land now houses a car dealership.
  • Guinther Elementary School closed in 1993 and was later demolished.
  • Harris Elementary School closed to combine with Jackson as Harris-Jackson Community Learning Center.
  • Heminger Elementary closed in 2008.
  • Henry Elementary School on North Forge Street closed in 1978. The building was used as a daycare center for children of Summa Akron City Hospital employees until its demolition in 2007. The land now houses additions made to Summa Akron City Hospital in 2008.
  • Hotchkiss Elementary School closed in 2007.
  • Howe Elementary School closed in 1972 and was later demolished. The land that formerly housed the school was used in building the Akron Innerbelt.
  • Jackson Elementary School was closed in 2007, and was later demolished. It combined with Harris to form Harris-Jackson Community Learning Center.
  • Lane Elementary was demolished in 1980. Helen Arnold Community Learning Center, which opened in the fall of 2007, was built near the former school to serve students in the neighborhood.
  • Lincoln Elementary School closed at the end of the 2008–09 school year.
  • Lawndale Elementary School closed at the end of the 2015–16 school year.
  • Margaret Park Elementary closed in 2007. Demolished in 2017.
  • Miller Elementary School closed in 1978 and became administrative offices for Akron Public Schools.
  • Rankin Elementary closed after the 2011–12 school year. Demolished in 2025.
  • Robinson Community Learning Center closed at the end of the 2023–24 school year. It now houses the NIHF STEM High School.
  • Smith Elementary School closed at the end of the 2015–16 school year.
  • Spicer Elementary School, at 332 Carroll Street, closed in 1968 and became Spicer Hall at the University of Akron. The building was demolished in 1999.
  • Stewart Elementary School closed at the end of the 2008–09 school year.
  • Thomastown Elementary School now houses the Haunted Schoolhouse.

Enrollment

Source:
196519701974-7519801985199019952000200520102015201920202023
52,63255,00049,83538,97435,03733,23031,07230,36027,76423,21021,00120,72320,66919,897