Graham Elementary and Middle School

www.gemsschool.org

Charter School 310 Students

Elementary School K - 8th

School Overview

Graham Elementary and Middle School, located in the University District of Columbus, Ohio, is a tuition-free public charter school that serves students in grades K–8. The school distinguishes itself through a progressive, student-centered approach to education, emphasizing project-based learning and the development of the "whole child." By fostering a community-focused environment, Graham aims to cultivate critical thinkers who are not only academically prepared but also socially responsible and engaged in their local community.

The school is well-regarded for its emphasis on small class sizes and a personalized learning philosophy that allows educators to tailor instruction to individual student needs. Beyond the standard curriculum, Graham integrates social-emotional learning and community service into the daily experience, encouraging students to take ownership of their education. As a public charter, it provides an alternative educational option for families in the Columbus area who are seeking a collaborative, inclusive, and inquiry-based atmosphere for their children’s formative years.

310

Total Students

22.0

Full-Time Teachers

14.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Graham Elementary and Middle School
Demographic	Student Count
White	69
Hispanic	19
Black	194
Asian	4
Two or More	19
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	2

Black
194 (62.6%)
White
69 (22.3%)
Hispanic
19 (6.1%)
Two or More
19 (6.1%)
Asian
4 (1.3%)
American Indian
3 (1.0%)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.6%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Graham Elementary and Middle School
Phone:	(614)253-4000
Website:	http://www.gemsschool.org
Grade Range:	K - 8th
Total Students:	310
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	22.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 25

Grade 1 18

Grade 2 22

Grade 3 22

Grade 4 28

Grade 5 44

Grade 6 47

Grade 7 52

Grade 8 52