Richland Source reported Oct. 18, 2026, that Ohio's annual school report cards rated all three of Richland County's public charter schools below the state's three-star threshold for meeting expectations. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce uses a one-to-five star scale, according to the article.
Richland School of Academic Arts received two stars overall. The Mansfield school, at 1456 Park Avenue West, enrolled 350 students in kindergarten through eighth grade last year, the article said. It earned two stars in achievement and progress and one star in gap closing and early literacy. Its chronic absenteeism rate rose to 31.2% from 28.1%. Head of School Scott Will told Richland Source the school is not satisfied and is focusing on early literacy, absenteeism and math. The article reported added math support and a switch in benchmarking software.
Foundation Academy earned 2.5 stars overall, down from three stars, the article said. It enrolled 362 students; its component ratings were three stars in progress, two in achievement and gap closing, and one in early literacy. Chronic absenteeism fell to 24.5% from 35.6%. Legacy Academy of Excellence earned 1.5 stars overall, with one star in achievement and early literacy and a met-standard rating in gap closing. It enrolled 96 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and its absenteeism rate dropped to 6.7% from 40.5% in its opening year.
Richland Source said Foundation and Legacy did not respond to requests for comment.