Best Schools in Pendleton, Oregon
10 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Pendleton?
Use this page to compare every school in Pendleton 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.
Mckay Creek Elementary School
Elementary · Pendleton Sd 16. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Nixyaawii Community School
High · Pendleton Sd 16. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Washington Elementary School
Elementary · Pendleton Sd 16. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pendleton for 2026 are Mckay Creek Elementary School (7.7/10), Nixyaawii Community School (7.5/10), and Washington Elementary School (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
10
9 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$277,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
9 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$277,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Pendleton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mckay Creek Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Nixyaawii Community School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Washington Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Sunridge Middle School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Sherwood Heights Elementary School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Hawthorne Alternative High School | 4.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Pendleton High School | 4.0 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $73,308
- Median home value
- $277,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 14 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pendleton compares
Oregon rank
#93 of 117
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below Oregon avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
95% of Oregon median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Pendleton, Oregon
Pendleton, Oregon is home to 10 schools, including 9 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Pendleton 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 Pendleton is Mckay Creek Elementary School with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pendleton is served by 2 school districts: InterMountain ESD, Pendleton SD 16. These districts collectively serve 2,955 students.
Pendleton's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,308. The poverty rate in the area is 13.8%.
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.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 253 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 228 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 5.7 | ||
| 3 | 425 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 441 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pendleton Christian School
Private
25 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 648 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 44 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 |
| 3 | 773 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 207 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.1 |
Schools in Pendleton
Pendleton, Oregon · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$73,308
Median Home Value
$277,600
Median Rent
$924/mo
Population
21,930
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
14 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Community Profile
Pendleton has a median household income of $73,308. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,600, with a median rent of $924/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Oregon
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Oregon
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Pendleton, Oregon
How many schools are in Pendleton, Oregon?
Pendleton has 10 schools, including 9 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pendleton, Oregon?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pendleton is 5.3 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 Pendleton, Oregon?
The top-ranked school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is Mckay Creek Elementary School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pendleton, Oregon?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is Mckay Creek Elementary School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Pendleton, Oregon?
The top-ranked middle school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is Sunridge Middle School with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Pendleton, Oregon?
The top-ranked high school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is Nixyaawii Community School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Pendleton, Oregon?
Pendleton is served by 2 school districts: Intermountain Esd, Pendleton Sd 16.
What is the education level in Pendleton, Oregon?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Pendleton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pendleton, Oregon?
The median household income in Pendleton is approximately $73,308 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pendleton, Oregon?
Yes, Pendleton has 1 private school alongside 9 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pendleton, Oregon?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pendleton is 24.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pendleton, 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.
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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.