In addition to Cleveland, the district also serves the towns of Boyle, Renova, and Merigold.
[3] Up to 2016 there were racial demographic differences remaining in the district's schools, with those west of the former railroad tracks having a whiter student body.
[5] Sharon Lerner of The Atlantic wrote that "As a result, Cleveland has some of the most integrated —and some of the most segregated—public schools in the region.
"[3] Beginning in 1990 the district made many failed attempts, including a freedom of choice enrollment program allowing any student to enroll in any school with his/her grade level, International Baccalaureate programs, and magnet programs, to encourage White students to enroll in almost all-black schools, but these plans did not work.
[3] The U.S. Justice Department, in 2011, argued that the Cleveland School District had failed to properly integrate the system, reviving the discrimination suit from a dormant state.
Smith and East Side High, Cypress Park and Nailor elementary schools, also located in eastern Cleveland, had enrollments over 95% black.