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
Enrollment
1,929
Student-Teacher
42.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,929
Student-Teacher
42.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Fossil Charter School — Students at Fossil Charter School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
1.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Fossil Charter School Compares
See how Fossil Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 53.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 69.1% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (541) 763-4384
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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