Very Good
#250 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 20% 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
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Grande
#1 of 4
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#201 of 689
In district
#2 of 5
La Grande SD 1
Equity
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in La Grande, a remote town in Union County, Oregon. With 395 students and 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, allowing for reasonable classroom attention and support. Academically, Central Elementary scores a 7.2 out of 10 on the MySchoolScout Rating, placing it in the 77th percentile statewide and ranking #282 among Oregon's 1,231 schools.
The school's academic score of 7.3 reflects solid performance with room for growth. In reading and language arts, 44% of students across all grades score at or above proficiency levels, while in mathematics, 40% of students meet or exceed proficiency benchmarks. These results show that the school is working with a diverse range of learners and focusing on building foundational skills.
The school's location at 1305 N Willow Street places it in La Grande's remote setting, serving as an important educational anchor for the community.
Score Breakdown
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Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 40.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 45.5% (2025).
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 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Island City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Athena Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 38.6 miles away, in nearby Athena), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Stella Mayfield Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Elgin), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.0 |
| La Grande Middle School La Grande | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| 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 | 8.4 |
| RiverBend High School La Grande | 7.0 mi | — |
| Imbler Charter School Imbler | 11.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Union Elementary School Union | 13.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Union High School Union | 13.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Cove Charter School Cove | 14.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Elgin High School Elgin | 18.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Stella Mayfield Elementary School Elgin | 19.1 mi | 7.9 |
| North Powder Charter School North Powder | 21.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Haines Elementary School Baker City | 29.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Weston Middle School Weston | 37.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Athena Elementary School Athena | 38.6 mi | 8.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $62,411. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $264,700, with a median rent of $973/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| Astor Elementary School Astoria, OR | 7.8 |
| Capitol Hill Elementary School Portland, OR | 7.8 |
| Chehalem Elementary School Beaverton, OR | 7.8 |
| Edgewood Community Elementary School Eugene, OR | 7.8 |
| Fruitdale Elementary School Grants Pass, OR | 7.8 |
| Gervais Elementary School Gervais, OR | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #250 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 39.8% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Grande). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (541) 663-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Grande SD 1- District Enrollment
- 2,062
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,095
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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