Class is officially in session at The Mohican Schoolhouse, but this isn’t your typical after-hours detention. Once a home haunt and now a full-fledged professional attraction, this 100-year-old school building has traded textbooks for terror, and the lessons learned here are written in screams.
While the haunt doesn’t stick to a traditional “school” theme, each hallway and classroom offers a different subject in fear, ranging from suspenseful, atmospheric scenes to full-blown nightmare fuel. You never quite know what’s waiting around the corner, and that unpredictability keeps guests on their toes from the opening bell to the final exit.
In the words of Stephen King, “We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.” At The Mohican Schoolhouse, those horrors come alive, ready to teach you a thing or two about what lurks in the dark. So, sharpen your pencils, say your prayers, and prepare for a crash course in fear – because at this haunted schoolhouse, everyone fails the final exam.
The monsters lurking within the halls of this haunted schoolhouse are energetic, creepy as heck, and out for blood. Throughout our journey, we encountered a wide variety of scares – loud bangs that echoed through the corridors, sudden jump scares, slow meticulous approaches from figures in the dark, and our personal favorite: a full-blown assault from a machine gun–wielding maniac. Many of the actor interactions were extended, with characters popping out only to reappear moments later, stalking or engaging with us multiple times. This can likely be credited to the haunt’s clever circular layout, which allows performers multiple opportunities to strike from different angles.
However, we did notice a few stretches of downtime during our visit, with several scenes, particularly in the basement and outdoor sections, feeling vacant or underpopulated. While the cast did their best to fill these gaps with strong performances, there were moments where little to nothing occurred for extended periods. That said, dialogue across the board was impressively written and interactive, showcasing some real creativity from the actors. Unfortunately, many of these exchanges took place behind cages, windows, or fences, which limited the sense of danger and made it harder for us to feel truly threatened.
Removing some of these barriers could unlock the full potential of the cast. There’s a lot of passion and talent within these walls, and giving the actors more freedom to move and interact would only enhance the experience. Standout performances of the night came from the witch in the cemetery, who set an eerie tone early on, and the deranged doctor performing experiments on live humans with his buzzing power tool.
Mohican Schoolhouse is home to a gruesome array of theatrically detailed creatures that bring nightmares to life. These frightful freakshows showcased a variety of unsettling looks that kept us constantly on edge. Before entering the haunt, guests were greeted by a colorful, punk-inspired clown whose rocker-meets-circus aesthetic immediately set the tone for what was to come.
Each performer displayed a unique level of costuming, with an impressive emphasis on body paint, intricate airbrushing, and elaborate makeup that gave the attraction a gritty, authentic feel. Notable standouts included the witch, whose disturbing facial prosthetics were genuinely unnerving, and the mad scientist, adorned in a multi-layered costume filled with rich detail.
Classic horror tropes made their presence known – werewolves, clowns, deranged doctors, and bloodthirsty butchers stalked the halls. However, some of the “victim” characters appeared a bit too clean-cut for the setting and would benefit from additional distressing to better match the environment’s grim tone.
While masks were used sparingly, the few that appeared were well-crafted, creative, and thematically appropriate, amplifying the sense of dread around every corner.
Before our visit, we explored The Mohican Schoolhouse’s website to gather key information such as ticket pricing, hours of operation, and directions. The site was easy to navigate and well-organized, making it simple to find everything we needed before making the trip. Our GPS had no trouble guiding us to the haunt’s location, and as we approached, a large illuminated roadside sign clearly displayed the attraction’s name and operating hours – an immediate indicator that we were in the right place.
The gravel parking lot was spacious, well-lit, and neatly arranged, allowing us to find a spot and park with ease. It’s always appreciated when an attraction takes the time to organize parking efficiently, as it sets a positive tone for the night before the scares even begin. From the moment we arrived, every staff member we encountered was welcoming, polite, and eager to help. Ticket takers and attendants were happy to answer questions and offer directions, contributing to an overall smooth and enjoyable check-in process.
A special shout-out goes to the friendly staff member working at the merchandise booth at the end of the haunt. Their enthusiasm and genuine interest in hearing about our experience added a personal touch to the evening and left us with a great final impression. It’s clear that The Mohican Schoolhouse values its guests and takes pride in delivering not just a night of frights, but also a well-rounded, professional experience.
The large, towering schoolhouse greeted us with an ominous presence as we approached, its shadowy frame looming against the night sky. Parked out front was a hearse appropriately sporting the haunt’s name – an appropriately eerie welcome to the nightmarish world we were about to enter. Guests are funneled into the school’s old gymnasium to wait for their turn, and we were immediately impressed by how much attention had been put into the queue area. The space was filled with eye-catching displays, photo opportunities, and interactive elements to keep guests entertained while they waited. To make things even more memorable, a few mischievous actors roamed the crowd, armed with vortex air cannons that fired unexpected bursts at guests – a clever and hilarious touch we hadn’t encountered before.
Once inside the attraction, we were met with an impressive array of props, animatronics, and creative set design. The level of craftsmanship throughout the haunt was commendable, and several scenes genuinely caught us off guard with their detail and atmosphere. The team has clearly poured a lot of effort into building immersive environments that heighten tension and pull guests deeper into the experience.
That said, there were a few areas that could benefit from some refinement. At times, the layout made navigation a bit confusing, as staff hiding areas were visually like the guest pathways. Increasing clarity in these spaces would help maintain flow and immersion. Additionally, there were moments where the audio levels dropped noticeably low, allowing us to overhear other groups ahead, sometimes spoiling upcoming scares.
Despite these minor issues, our overall experience was very positive. The Mohican Schoolhouse delivers an impressive combination of creativity, craftsmanship, and heart. With a few adjustments to improve path clarity and audio balance, this haunt could elevate its atmosphere even further and deliver an even more seamless night of fear.
Mohican Haunted Schoolhouse has long been a staple for central Ohio thrill-seekers, known for its inventive use of special effects and handcrafted set design. The creative team makes the most of every resource, building elaborate environments rich with detail and atmosphere. Each room carried its own distinct personality, contributing to a cohesive yet ever-changing journey through the schoolhouse’s sinister halls.
A thunderous lightning strike illuminated the indoor graveyard – an impressive and unexpected touch that instantly heightened the tension. The eeriness continued through an art studio filled with uncanny animatronic mannequins and into a glowing neon laboratory that looked ripped straight from a vintage sci-fi comic.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7.5
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 8.13
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 8.13
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7.63
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 7
If the Mohican Schoolhouse still teaches anything, it’s fear. Three floors of tortured souls pursued and taunted us relentlessly, making sure no hallway felt safe. The actors have clearly honed their craft – using their environments effectively, improvising on the fly, and keeping guests engaged and uneasy from start to finish. Whether leaping out with sudden aggression or creeping silently from the shadows, each performer brought energy, personality, and commitment to their role.
Some of the scares lost their impact midway through the attraction due to a conga line that formed, causing us to miss several key moments. While conga lines are often unavoidable on peak nights, additional cast training to “scare forward” and keep groups moving efficiently could help minimize bottlenecks and preserve the overall pacing and intensity of the experience.
While the Schoolhouse may not deliver the full-throttle intensity that extreme thrill-seekers crave, it stands strong as a well-balanced, classic haunted attraction. Guests can expect plenty of familiar jump scares and sudden startles, the kind that have become the heart and soul of this haunt. The team knows their audience well, crafting an experience that’s fun, spooky, and family-friendly without crossing into overly obscene or offensive territory.
The finale, however, felt slightly underwhelming, featuring only two chainsaw-wielding actors. Adding a few more to break up larger groups and isolate individuals could elevate the closing moments, ensuring a stronger, more lasting final scare to end the night.
Our journey through these haunted schoolgrounds lasted 26 minutes, which is slightly shorter than our previous visit three years ago. With general admission priced at $25, that gives this attraction an MPD (Minutes Per Dollar) score of 1.04, which falls right within the range we like to see. Fast Pass upgrades are available for an additional $10, and group rates are offered as well, so be sure to check their website for details. Just note that a small online processing fee applies when purchasing tickets in advance.
We also love that guests can vote for their favorite cast member in the gift shop. It’s a great way for the public to share feedback and give the hardworking monsters the recognition they deserve. Plus, if you’re up for another round of scares, you can experience the haunt a second time for just $15.
155 W 3rd Street, Perrysville, Ohio 44864