Independence High School is a public high school located at 5175 E. Refugee Road, Columbus, Ohio. It is a part of Columbus City Schools. The school colors are red, white and blue. The school nickname is the 76ers.
Serving 852 students in grades 9-12, Independence High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Ohio for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 4% (which is lower than the Ohio state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 15-19% (which is lower than the Ohio state average of 60%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Ohio state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Ohio state average of 35% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 852 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 70-74% (Btm 50% in OH)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 4% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 29% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Independence High School serves a 9.1 square mile area in the southeast part of Columbus, OH, with most students living within a 5-10 minute drive and an average distance of 2.4 miles from the school to the edge of the zone, extending up to 4.3 miles at its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), OH Dept. of Education
School Overview
Independence High School's student population of 852 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 46 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
852 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
46 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Independence High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,181 schools in Ohio (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Independence High School is 0.50, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.54. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3134 out of 3181 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
4%
54%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
60%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
3%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
23%
8%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
Black
67%
17%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
4%
65%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
70-74%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)60.6%
30.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
65%
42%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
2%
5%
Showing 2004–2014. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Blue, Red
School Mascot
76ers
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), OH Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Independence High School's ranking?
Independence High School is ranked #3134 out of 3,181 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Ohio.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
4% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% OH state average), while 15-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 60% OH state average).
What is the graduation rate of Independence High School?
The graduation rate of Independence High School is 70-74%, which is lower than the Ohio state average of 86.2%.
How many students attend Independence High School?
852 students attend Independence High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
67% of Independence High School students are Black, 23% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Independence High School?
Independence High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Ohio state average of 17:1.
What grades does Independence High School offer ?
Independence High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Independence High School part of?
Independence High School is part of Columbus City Schools.
In what neighborhood is Independence High School located?
Independence High School is located in the South Columbus neighborhood of Columbus, OH. There are 43 other public schools located in South Columbus.
School Reviews
Review Independence High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
