Milford's Boyd E. Smith leads local schools in U.S. News rankings

Boyd E. Smith Elementary School in Milford ranked No. 158 among Ohio elementary schools in the 2027 U.S. News Best Elementary Schools rankings released Oct. 20. That makes it the highest-rated elementary school in the Loveland, Symmes Township and Milford area.

The school scored 84.58 out of 100, according to its U.S. News profile. Eighty-two percent of students scored at or above the proficient level in math, and 80% reached that mark in reading. Both figures topped the Milford Exempted Village School District averages of 78% in each subject.

Boyd E. Smith serves 453 students in grades K through 6. The school also earned a National Blue Ribbon designation in 2019, according to the Milford Exempted Village Schools website.

Symmes and Loveland elementaries also ranked

Symmes Elementary School, part of the Sycamore Community City School District, placed No. 178 statewide with a score of 82.61 out of 100. The school's math proficiency rate was 82%, and its reading proficiency rate was 78%. Symmes Elementary serves 656 students in grades PK through 4.

Loveland Elementary School ranked No. 235 in Ohio with a score of 77.01 out of 100. Its math proficiency rate was 87%, and 82% of students reached proficiency in reading. The school serves 617 students in grades 3 and 4.

All three local schools outperformed Ohio's statewide averages. Across the state, 53% of elementary students tested proficient in math and 59% tested proficient in reading, according to U.S. News.

Loveland district celebrated prior rankings

Loveland City Schools Superintendent Mike Broadwater praised the district's performance in an Oct. 29, 2025, post about the previous year's U.S. News rankings. At that time, all eligible Loveland schools earned a spot on the list.

"Our staff does an outstanding job in the classroom, supporting students and building strong relationships," Broadwater said in that post. "Our entire Loveland City Schools community plays a part in making our schools among the nation's best."

How the rankings work

U.S. News ranked nearly 47,000 elementary schools nationwide. The formula weighs four factors equally at 25% each: math proficiency, math performance, reading proficiency and reading performance. Half of the formula assessed raw test scores, and the other half factored in socioeconomic demographics. The rankings use 2023-2024 school year state assessment data and cover only public schools.