For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 5,741 students in Defiance County, OH (there are 2 private schools, serving 118 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Defiance County, OH are educated in public schools (compared to the OH state average of 88%). Defiance County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Ohio.
The top ranked public schools in Defiance County, OH are Ayersville Elementary School, Hicksville High School and Hicksville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Defiance County, OH public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Ohio public school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 60% statewide average). Schools in Defiance County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Ohio public schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public school average of 34% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Defiance County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ayersville Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
28046 Watson Rd
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 395-1111
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 395-1111
Gr: K-6 | 344 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Hicksville High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
958 E High St
Hicksville, OH 43526
(419) 542-7636
Hicksville, OH 43526
(419) 542-7636
Gr: 9-12 | 209 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Hicksville Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
958 E High St
Hicksville, OH 43526
(419) 542-7475
Hicksville, OH 43526
(419) 542-7475
Gr: K-4 | 367 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Hicksville Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
958 E High St
Hicksville, OH 43526
(419) 542-5917
Hicksville, OH 43526
(419) 542-5917
Gr: 5-8 | 289 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Tinora Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5751 Domersville Rd
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 497-1022
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 497-1022
Gr: K-4 | 356 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Ayersville High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
28046 Watson Rd
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 395-1111
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 395-1111
Gr: 7-12 | 338 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Fairview High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6289 Us Highway 127
Sherwood, OH 43556
(419) 658-2378
Sherwood, OH 43556
(419) 658-2378
Gr: 9-12 | 265 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Tinora High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5921 Domersville Rd
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 497-2621
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 497-2621
Gr: 9-12 | 283 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
Fairview Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6289 Us Highway 127
Sherwood, OH 43556
(419) 658-2331
Sherwood, OH 43556
(419) 658-2331
Gr: 6-8 | 218 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
14060 Blosser Rd
Sherwood, OH 43556
(419) 658-2511
Sherwood, OH 43556
(419) 658-2511
Gr: K-5 | 429 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
Tinora Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5921 Domersville Rd
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 497-2361
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 497-2361
Gr: 4-9 | 320 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1212.
Defiance Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Carter Rd
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-0070
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-0070
Gr: K-5 | 1,053 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1313.
Defiance High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1755 Palmer Dr
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 784-2777
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 784-2777
Gr: 9-12 | 713 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1414.
Defiance Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1755 Palmer Dr
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-0050
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-0050
Gr: 6-8 | 557 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Defiance County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1745 S Clinton St
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-9909
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-9909
Gr: PK-4 | 310 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
601 E 2nd St
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-0146
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-0146
Gr: PK-4 | 228 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
620 Thurston St
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-2116
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-2116
Gr: PK-4 | 243 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
140 E Broadway St
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-3866
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-3866
Gr: PK-4 | 191 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Defiance County, OH?
The top ranked public schools in Defiance County, OH include Ayersville Elementary School, Hicksville High School and Hicksville Elementary School. Defiance County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Ohio.
How many public schools are located in Defiance County?
14 public schools are located in Defiance County.
What percentage of students in Defiance County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Defiance County are educated in public schools (compared to the OH state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Defiance County?
Defiance County public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public schools average of 34% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Defiance County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Defiance County include: Ayersville Elementary School vs. Defiance Elementary School, Defiance Elementary School vs. Ayersville Elementary School, Tinora High School vs. Defiance High School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
