Excellent
#151 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 12% in state
Carus School
Elementary School · Canby SD 86
14412 S Carus Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oregon City
#1 of 12
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#130 of 689
In district
#1 of 8
Canby SD 86
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Carus School
Carus School is a public elementary school in Oregon City, OR, part of the Canby SD 86. The school serves approximately 345 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 87.8th percentile among OR schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 32% proficiency in math, 0 points above the state average and 43% in reading/language arts, 0 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $100,388, where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Carus School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Carus School — Students at Carus School score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Carus School Compares
See how Carus School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 33.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 44.4% (2025).
Location
14412 S Carus Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carus School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bolton Primary School (rated 8.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby West Linn), with a very similar rating. Another option is Willamette Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby West Linn), with a comparable rating. Additionally, John McLoughlin Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 4.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oregon City, see our Oregon City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,388
Median Home Value
$563,600
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Population
57,432
College Educated
32.6%
Homeownership
74.8%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carus School has a median household income of $100,388. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $563,600, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ardenwald Elementary School Milwaukie, OR | 8.3 |
| Forest Park Elementary School Portland, OR | 8.3 |
| Greenway Elementary School Beaverton, OR | 8.3 |
| McKay Elementary School Beaverton, OR | 8.3 |
| Oak Grove Elementary School Albany, OR | 8.3 |
| Ocean Crest Elementary School Bandon, OR | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carus School
What grades does Carus School serve?
Carus School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Carus School?
Carus School has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carus School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carus School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carus School rank in OR?
Carus School is ranked #151 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Carus School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carus School has a composite rating of 8.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Carus School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carus School has 31.9% math proficiency and 42.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carus School a charter school?
No, Carus School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carus School a Title I school?
No, Carus School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carus School?
51.6% of students at Carus School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Clackamas County
- Phone
- (503) 263-7190
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Canby SD 86- District Enrollment
- 4,197
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,615
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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