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Very Good

#453 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 37% in state

Fossil Charter School

School · Fossil SD 21J

PO Box 206, Fossil, OR 97830

Charter

Enrollment

1,929

Student-Teacher

42.9:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#23 of 80

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Fossil Charter School

Fossil Charter School serves 1,929 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in the small community of Fossil, Oregon. This regular public charter school operates with 45 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 42.9:1. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #321 out of 1,231 schools statewide, placing it in the 74th percentile among Oregon schools.

Students show particular strength in reading and language arts, with 66% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 51% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. The school's academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects strong educational outcomes. Fossil Charter School serves families in Wheeler County's rural landscape, where the median household income is $50,208 and home values average $175,300.

The community maintains a low poverty rate of 7.7%, and about 25% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a ZIP code population of just 635, this charter school operates as an educational anchor in one of Oregon's most remote rural areas, providing comprehensive K-12 education in the heart of Wheeler County's expansive countryside.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Fossil Charter School is 42.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Fossil Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Fossil Charter 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.1%
Math vs. State Avg+21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.1Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio42.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,072

Fossil Charter School — Students at Fossil Charter School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

1.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 62.2%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 8 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
51%
ELA
66%
2025
Math
53.4%
ELA
69.1%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Fossil Charter School Compares

See how Fossil Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in OR
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
43:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

PO Box 206, Fossil, OR 97830

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fossil Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Spray School (rated 7.2/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Spray), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ione Community Charter School (rated 6.9/10, 39.2 miles away, in nearby Ione), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mitchell School (rated 4.4/10, 30.4 miles away, in nearby Mitchell), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fossil, see our Fossil schools guide .

Nearby Schools

6 within 39.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Condon Elementary School Condon 15.9 mi 7.8
Condon High School Condon 16.0 mi 7.2
Big Muddy Elementary Madras 17.6 mi
Mitchell School Mitchell 30.4 mi 4.4
Spray School Spray 23.6 mi 7.2
Ione Community Charter School Ione 39.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97830 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,750

Median Home Value

$189,200

Median Rent

$684/mo

Population

621

College Educated

23.4%

Homeownership

76.9%

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

61.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fossil Charter School has a median household income of $43,750. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,200, with a median rent of $684/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Logos Charter School Medford, OR 6.1
Baker Web Academy Baker City, OR 5.6
Summit Learning Charter Eagle Creek, OR 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fossil Charter School

What grades does Fossil Charter School serve?

Fossil Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Fossil Charter School?

Fossil Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 1,929 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fossil Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fossil Charter School is 42.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fossil Charter School rank in OR?

Fossil Charter School is ranked #453 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Fossil Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fossil Charter School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Fossil Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fossil Charter School has 47.5% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fossil Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Fossil Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Fossil Charter School a Title I school?

No, Fossil Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fossil Charter School?

1.6% of students at Fossil Charter 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.

7 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,929
Student-Teacher Ratio
42.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
1.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Wheeler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fossil SD 21J
District Enrollment
1,929
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,457
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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