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Below Average

#1044 of 1,226 schools in OR

High Desert Middle School

Middle School · Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1

61000 Diamondback Ln, Bend, OR 97702

Enrollment

693

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

4.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,044 of 1,226

In Bend

#26 of 31

public schools

In district

#26 of 35

Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1

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High Desert Middle School

4.3/10

Middle School in Bend · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Caldera High School

2.0/10

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

R E Jewell Elementary School

4.2/10

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

About High Desert Middle School

High Desert Middle School is a public middle school in Bend, OR, part of Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1. High Desert Middle School serves approximately 693 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. High Desert Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,044 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for High Desert Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • OR avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

High Desert Middle School runs 23.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

High Desert Middle 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.

41% of students at High Desert Middle 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 Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.1% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-7.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,369
Chronic Absenteeism41.3%

High Desert Middle School — Students at High Desert Middle School score 32% 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

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 61.7% (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
82%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
24.5%
ELA
40.1%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How High Desert Middle School Compares

See how High Desert Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
15th percentile in OR
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

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

61000 Diamondback Ln, Bend, OR 97702

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering High Desert Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pine Ridge Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Silver Rail Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Juniper Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bend, see our Bend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Caldera High School Bend 1.3 mi 2.0
R E Jewell Elementary School Bend 1.8 mi 4.2
Silver Rail Elementary School Bend 2.1 mi 8.8
Bear Creek Elementary School Bend 2.7 mi 4.1
COIC - BEND Bend 2.9 mi 4.0
Bend Senior High School Bend 3.0 mi 3.5
EASTMONT SCHOOL Bend 3.5 mi 5.8
Pilot Butte Middle School Bend 3.6 mi 6.7
Juniper Elementary School Bend 3.6 mi 8.6
Ensworth Elementary School Bend 3.9 mi 5.2
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bend 4.1 mi 7.7
Bend Tech Academy Bend 3.7 mi 6.3
Buckingham Elementary School Bend 4.0 mi 8.3
DESCHUTES RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bend 3.3 mi
Mountain View Senior High School Bend 4.3 mi 5.4
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF BEND Bend 4.3 mi 7.0
A CHILD'S GARDEN Bend 4.3 mi
Amity Creek Elementary School Bend 3.9 mi 7.1
J BAR J LEARNING CENTERS Bend 4.7 mi
Pine Ridge Elementary Bend 3.5 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,094

Median Home Value

$620,600

Median Rent

$1,825/mo

Population

53,114

College Educated

46.4%

Homeownership

72.1%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

42.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Lincoln Middle School Cottage Grove, OR 4.2
St Helens Middle School St. Helens, OR 4.2
Alder Creek Middle School Milwaukie, OR 4.1
Mountain View Middle School Beaverton, OR 4.5
Parrish Middle School Salem, OR 4.1
Tumwata Middle School Oregon City, OR 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about High Desert Middle School

What grades does High Desert Middle School serve?

High Desert Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend High Desert Middle School?

High Desert Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 693 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at High Desert Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at High Desert Middle School is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does High Desert Middle School rank in OR?

High Desert Middle School ranks #1,044 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is High Desert Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

High Desert Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 High Desert Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, High Desert Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is High Desert Middle School a charter school?

No, High Desert Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is High Desert Middle School a Title I school?

No, High Desert Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High Desert Middle School?

42.6% of students at High Desert Middle 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Deschutes County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

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