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Very Good

#438 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 36% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · La Grande SD 1

1305 N Willow St, La Grande, OR 97850

Enrollment

395

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#438 of 1,226

In La Grande

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

La Grande SD 1

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

7.0/10

Elementary School in La Grande · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

La Grande High School

5.8/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

La Grande Middle School

5.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in La Grande, OR, part of La Grande SD 1. Central Elementary School serves approximately 395 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #438 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.2
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Central Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.7% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.5% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg+8.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,095
Chronic Absenteeism35.2%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 56.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 30 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
79%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
40.7%
ELA
45.5%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in OR
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1305 N Willow St, La Grande, OR 97850

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Island City Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Island City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stella Mayfield Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Elgin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Haines Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Baker City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in La Grande, see our La Grande schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 38.8 mi
School Distance Rating
La Grande High School La Grande 0.1 mi 5.8
La Grande Middle School La Grande 0.2 mi 5.9
HEIDI HO KINDERGARTEN & PRESCHOOL La Grande 0.6 mi 4.7
GRANDE RONDE ACADEMY La Grande 1.0 mi 5.8
Greenwood Elementary School La Grande 1.2 mi 5.9
LA GRANDE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL La Grande 1.5 mi
LIGHTHOUSE APOSTOLIC ACADEMY La Grande 2.8 mi 6.9
Island City Elementary School Island City 2.9 mi 8.7
RiverBend High School La Grande 7.0 mi
Imbler Charter School Imbler 11.9 mi 9.2
Union Elementary School Union 13.8 mi 7.2
Union High School Union 13.8 mi 7.8
Cove Charter School Cove 14.2 mi 8.9
Elgin High School Elgin 18.9 mi 4.8
Stella Mayfield Elementary School Elgin 19.1 mi 8.4
North Powder Charter School North Powder 21.9 mi 7.9
Haines Elementary School Baker City 29.1 mi 7.7
Weston Middle School Weston 37.5 mi 7.6
Athena Elementary School Athena 38.6 mi 6.5
Weston-McEwen High School Athena 38.8 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97850 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,411

Median Home Value

$264,700

Median Rent

$973/mo

Population

16,545

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

57.9%

Avg Commute

13.3 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Astor Elementary School Portland, OR 7.0
Cascades School Lebanon, OR 7.0
Madras Elementary School Madras, OR 7.0
Monmouth Elementary School Monmouth, OR 7.0
Rogue River Elementary School Rogue River, OR 7.0
Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School Beaverton, OR 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 395 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in OR?

Central Elementary School ranks #438 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

65.3% of students at Central Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.2%

District

La Grande SD 1
District Enrollment
2,062
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,095
District Rank
#2 of 5

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