Average
#524 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 43% in state
Independence Elementary School
Elementary School · Central SD 13J
150 S 4th St, Independence, OR 97351
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#1 of 3
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#368 of 689
In district
#2 of 5
Central SD 13J
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Independence Elementary School
Independence Elementary School is a regular public school located in the heart of Independence, Oregon, on the edge of an urban area. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 379 students and employs 23 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. The school’s setting offers a blend of small-town charm with easy access to nearby amenities.
Academically, Independence Elementary School is ranked 948th out of 1231 schools in Oregon and has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8/10, indicating there is room for academic growth. In reading and math proficiency tests, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while the percentage drops to 11% in Math. The school community focuses on providing a supportive environment that emphasizes student development and engagement.
Independence Elementary School sits at the edge of an urban area, making it convenient for families looking to combine small-town living with access to larger city resources.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Independence Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Independence Elementary School — Students at Independence Elementary School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.
How Independence Elementary School Compares
See how Independence Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 9.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 21.5% (2025).
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. Myers Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores notably higher. Another option is Schirle Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Whitworth Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Dallas), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.0 |
| Ash Creek Elementary School Monmouth | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| MONMOUTH MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Monmouth | 1.7 mi | — |
| Monmouth Elementary School Monmouth | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dallas | 6.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Sprague High School Salem | 6.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Schirle Elementary School Salem | 6.1 mi | 7.6 |
| BUD TO BLOSSOM CHILDREN'S SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Salem | 6.3 mi | — |
| Whitworth Elementary School Dallas | 7.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Crossler Middle School Salem | 6.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Dallas High School Dallas | 7.1 mi | 2.6 |
| SILVERLEAF SCHOOL Salem | 6.7 mi | — |
| LaCreole Middle School Dallas | 7.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School Salem | 6.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Sumpter Elementary School Salem | 7.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Candalaria Elementary School Salem | 7.6 mi | 6.5 |
| QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salem | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Myers Elementary School Salem | 8.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Wright Elementary School Salem | 7.5 mi | 4.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence Elementary School has a median household income of $84,717. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,700, with a median rent of $1,592/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CHOOL Portland, OR | 6.7 |
| Ferndale Elementary School Milton-Freewater, OR | 6.7 |
| Happy Valley Elementary School Happy Valley, OR | 6.7 |
| Lewelling Elementary School Milwaukie, OR | 6.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Grants Pass, OR | 6.7 |
| Pendleton Early Learning Center Pendleton, OR | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #524 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Independence Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Independence Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Elementary School has 11.2% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,277/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (503) 838-1322
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central SD 13J- District Enrollment
- 3,072
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,990
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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