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Needs Improvement

#1155 of 1,226 schools in OR

Colton Elementary School

Elementary School · Colton SD 53

30439 S Grays Hill Rd, Colton, OR 97017

Enrollment

194

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,155 of 1,226

In Colton

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Colton SD 53

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Colton Elementary School

3.6/10

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

Colton Middle School

4.6/10

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

Colton High School

5.6/10

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

About Colton Elementary School

Colton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Colton, OR, part of Colton SD 53. Colton Elementary School serves approximately 194 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Colton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,155 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Colton Elementary School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.9 pts below OR schools
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 194 students, Colton Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Colton Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

53% of students at Colton 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 Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.3% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-16.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-21.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,974
Chronic Absenteeism52.6%

Colton Elementary School — Students at Colton Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 55.7% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
15%
ELA
21.3%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Colton Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
6th percentile in OR
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.6%

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

30439 S Grays Hill Rd, Colton, OR 97017

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clarkes Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Mulino), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mulino Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Mulino), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Springwater Environmental Sciences School (rated 7.1/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Oregon City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Colton, see our Colton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Colton Middle School Colton 0.3 mi 4.6
Colton High School Colton 1.1 mi 5.6
Colton Virtual Academy Colton 1.1 mi
Clarkes Elementary School Mulino 4.4 mi 8.1
COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Molalla 4.9 mi 4.5
Molalla River Academy Molalla 5.9 mi 4.3
Clackamas River Elementary School Estacada 9.6 mi 4.8
Molalla High School Molalla 7.4 mi 4.6
Estacada Middle School Estacada 9.7 mi 3.5
River Mill Elementary School Estacada 9.9 mi 6.1
Estacada High School Estacada 9.9 mi 5.1
Beavercreek Elementary School Beavercreek 9.8 mi 3.7
Mulino Elementary School Mulino 8.8 mi 7.1
Molalla River Middle School Molalla 8.5 mi 5.6
Molalla Elementary School Molalla 8.7 mi 4.8
Carus School Oregon City 10.4 mi 6.7
Redland Elementary School Oregon City 13.0 mi 4.7
Summit Learning Charter Eagle Creek 13.9 mi 7.3
Springwater Environmental Sciences School Oregon City 14.1 mi 7.1
Oregon City Senior High School Oregon City 12.7 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,295

Median Home Value

$590,600

Population

3,449

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

92.1%

Avg Commute

45.1 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

42.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Driftwood Elementary School Port Orford, OR 3.6
Bush Elementary School Salem, OR 3.5
Humbolt Elementary School Canyon City, OR 3.7
Lafayette Elementary School Albany, OR 3.7
Santiam Elementary School Mill City, OR 3.5
Takena Elementary School Albany, OR 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colton Elementary School

What grades does Colton Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Colton Elementary School?

Colton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Colton Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colton Elementary School rank in OR?

Colton Elementary School ranks #1,155 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Colton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Colton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Colton Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Colton Elementary School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Colton Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Colton Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

43.3% of students at Colton 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clackamas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.6%

District

Colton SD 53
District Enrollment
606
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,974
District Rank
#3 of 3

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