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Needs Improvement

#1190 of 1,226 schools in OR

Independence Elementary School

Elementary School · Central SD 13J

150 S 4th St, Independence, OR 97351

Enrollment

379

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,190 of 1,226

In Independence

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Central SD 13J

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Independence Elementary School

3.2/10

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

Central High School

4.4/10

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

Talmadge Middle School

5.3/10

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

About Independence Elementary School

Independence Elementary School is a public elementary school in Independence, OR, part of Central SD 13J. Independence Elementary School serves approximately 379 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,190 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Independence Elementary School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

59% of students at Independence 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 Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.7% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.5% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,990
Chronic Absenteeism59.1%

Independence Elementary School — Students at Independence Elementary School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 36.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 26 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
72%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
20%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
9.7%
ELA
21.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.

How Independence Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.2/10
3th percentile in OR
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.1%

Location

150 S 4th St, Independence, OR 97351

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Candalaria Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monmouth Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Monmouth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whitworth Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Dallas), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Central High School Independence 1.0 mi 4.4
Talmadge Middle School Independence 1.1 mi 5.3
Ash Creek Elementary School Monmouth 1.3 mi 5.5
MONMOUTH MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Monmouth 1.7 mi
Monmouth Elementary School Monmouth 1.7 mi 7.0
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dallas 6.5 mi 4.8
Sprague High School Salem 6.0 mi 4.1
Schirle Elementary School Salem 6.1 mi 5.2
BUD TO BLOSSOM CHILDREN'S SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Salem 6.3 mi
Whitworth Elementary School Dallas 7.0 mi 6.6
Crossler Middle School Salem 6.3 mi 5.0
Dallas High School Dallas 7.1 mi 3.6
SILVERLEAF SCHOOL Salem 6.7 mi
LaCreole Middle School Dallas 7.3 mi 6.0
Liberty Elementary School Salem 6.7 mi 4.4
Sumpter Elementary School Salem 7.1 mi 5.2
Candalaria Elementary School Salem 7.6 mi 7.2
QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salem 7.4 mi 6.0
Myers Elementary School Salem 8.5 mi 6.4
Wright Elementary School Salem 7.5 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97351 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,717

Median Home Value

$357,700

Median Rent

$1,592/mo

Population

11,384

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

32.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Free Orchards Elementary School Cornelius, OR 3.2
Harritt Elementary School Salem, OR 3.2
Hayesville Elementary School Salem, OR 3.2
Oceanlake Elementary School Lincoln City, OR 3.2
Minter Bridge Elementary School Hillsboro, OR 3.3
Oak Grove Elementary School Medford, OR 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Elementary School

What grades does Independence Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Independence Elementary School?

Independence Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Elementary School rank in OR?

Independence Elementary School ranks #1,190 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Independence Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Independence Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Elementary School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Independence Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Independence Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

67.8% of students at Independence 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
79 Very Walkable
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.1%

District

Central SD 13J
District Enrollment
3,072
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,990
District Rank
#5 of 5

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