Skip to main content
4.3 avg / 10

Best Schools in Independence, Oregon

3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High

Public: 3
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 4.3/10
Move-ready shortlistcity map + schools

Choosing a school in Independence?

Use this page to compare every school in Independence by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Talmadge Middle School

5.3/10

Middle · Central Sd 13j. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Central High School

4.4/10

High · Central Sd 13j. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Independence Elementary School

3.2/10

Elementary · Central Sd 13j. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

The short answer

The top-rated schools in Independence for 2026 are Talmadge Middle School (5.3/10), Central High School (4.4/10), and Independence Elementary School (3.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.

Schools

3

in this city

Avg Score

4.3

out of 10

Median Home

$357,700

home value · ACS

District

1

serving the city

Top-Rated Schools in Independence

Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.

# School Rating
1 Talmadge Middle School 5.3 / 10
2 Central High School 4.4 / 10
3 Independence Elementary School 3.2 / 10

See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
4.3/10

0% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$84,717

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$357,700

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
25%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
25 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
62%

Of occupied housing units

How Independence compares

Oregon rank

#114 of 117

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-2.0

below Oregon avg (6.3)

Median household income

$85k

110% of Oregon median

Schools in this city

3

About Schools in Independence, Oregon

Independence, Oregon is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 4.3 out of 10, schools in Independence show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.

The highest-performing school in Independence is Talmadge Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Independence is served by 1 school district: Central SD 13J. These districts collectively serve 3,072 students.

Independence's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $84,717. The poverty rate in the area is 11.1%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by ZIP: 97351 (3)

Elementary Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 379 students · Kindergarten–5th 3.2

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 732 students · 6th–8th 5.3

High Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 1,014 students · 9th–12th 4.4

Schools in Independence

Independence, Oregon · 3 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$84,717

Median Home Value

$357,700

Median Rent

$1,592/mo

Population

11,384

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

62%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Community Profile

Independence has a median household income of $84,717. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,700, with a median rent of $1,592/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Independence, Oregon

How many schools are in Independence, Oregon?

Independence has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Independence, Oregon?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Independence is 4.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.

What is the top-ranked school in Independence, Oregon?

The top-ranked school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Talmadge Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Independence, Oregon?

The top-ranked elementary school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Independence Elementary School with a composite score of 3.2/10.

What is the best middle school in Independence, Oregon?

The top-ranked middle school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Talmadge Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10.

What is the best high school in Independence, Oregon?

The top-ranked high school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Central High School with a composite score of 4.4/10.

How many school districts serve Independence, Oregon?

Independence is served by 1 school district: Central Sd 13j.

What is the education level in Independence, Oregon?

According to Census data, 25% of adults in Independence have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Independence, Oregon?

The median household income in Independence is approximately $84,717 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Independence, Oregon?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Independence is 19.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Independence, Oregon?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Oregon Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.