For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 2,909 students in Portsmouth, OH (there are 4 private schools, serving 682 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth, OH are educated in public schools (compared to the OH state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Portsmouth, OH are Clay Elementary School, Oak Intermediate Elementary School and Clay High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Portsmouth, OH public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Ohio public school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 60% statewide average). Schools in Portsmouth have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Ohio public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public school average of 35% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Portsmouth, OH (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Clay Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
44 Clay High St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 354-6644
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 354-6644
Gr: PK-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Oak Intermediate Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
#1 Glenwood Tiger Trail
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 456-5225
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 456-5225
Gr: 4-6 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Clay High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
44 Clay High St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 354-6644
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 354-6644
Gr: 9-12 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Clay Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
44 Clay High St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 354-6644
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 354-6644
Gr: 6-8 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Sciotoville Community School
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
224 Marshall St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 776-6777
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 776-6777
Gr: K-12 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Stanton Primary Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
#1 Glenwood Tiger Trail
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 456-4637
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 456-4637
Gr: PK-3 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
Glenwood High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
#1 Glenwood Tiger Trail
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 456-4559
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 456-4559
Gr: 7-12 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Portsmouth Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
514 Union St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-6719
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-6719
Gr: PK-6 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #99.
Portsmouth Junior High School/portsmouth High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1225 Gallia St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-2398
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-2398
Gr: 7-12 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1010.
East Portsmouth Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5929 Harding Ave
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 776-6444
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 776-6444
Gr: K-6 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Portsmouth, Ohio Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1409 Coles Blvd
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-6739
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-6739
Gr: PK-3 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
5540 3rd St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 776-2916
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 776-2916
Gr: K-4 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
522 Glenwood Ave
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 259-6843
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 259-6843
Gr: 9-12 | 55 students Minority enrollment: 2%
1149 Gallia St
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-6129
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-6129
Gr: 7-8 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
613 Campbell Ave
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-5249
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 353-5249
Gr: PK-3 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Portsmouth, OH?
The top-ranked public schools in Portsmouth, OH include Clay Elementary School, Oak Intermediate Elementary School and Clay High School.
How many public schools are located in Portsmouth?
10 public schools are located in Portsmouth.
What percentage of students in Portsmouth go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth are educated in public schools (compared to the OH state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Ohio public schools average of 35% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Portsmouth are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Portsmouth include: Glenwood High School vs. Clay High School, Portsmouth Junior High School/portsmouth High School vs. Glenwood High School, Glenwood High School vs. Portsmouth Junior High School/portsmouth High School
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.
