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Needs Improvement

#1143 of 1,226 schools in OR

Joseph Gale Elementary School

Elementary School · Forest Grove SD 15

3130 18th Ave, Forest Grove, OR 97116

Enrollment

392

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,143 of 1,226

In Forest Grove

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

Forest Grove SD 15

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Joseph Gale Elementary School

3.7/10

Elementary School in Forest Grove · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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Nearby

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

Early Learning Community at Pacific University

6.2/10

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

About Joseph Gale Elementary School

Joseph Gale Elementary School is a public elementary school in Forest Grove, OR, part of Forest Grove SD 15. Joseph Gale Elementary School serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph Gale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,143 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Joseph Gale Elementary School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.1
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Joseph Gale 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 Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.8% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.7% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.3 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,916
Chronic Absenteeism41.3%

Joseph Gale Elementary School — Students at Joseph Gale Elementary School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 48.0% (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
82%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
25.8%
ELA
19.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Joseph Gale Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in OR
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
22 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

3130 18th Ave, Forest Grove, OR 97116

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph Gale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dilley Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest Grove Community School (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SWALLOWTAIL SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Cornelius), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forest Grove, see our Forest Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CREATE Forest Grove 0.6 mi
EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY AT PACIFIC UNIVERSITY Forest Grove 0.8 mi 6.2
Neil Armstrong Middle School Forest Grove 0.9 mi 4.8
Fern Hill Elementary School Forest Grove 1.0 mi 6.5
Forest Grove Community School Forest Grove 1.0 mi 7.9
Harvey Clarke Elementary School Forest Grove 1.4 mi 5.7
SWALLOWTAIL SCHOOL Cornelius 1.3 mi 7.7
Echo Shaw Elementary School Cornelius 1.5 mi 6.5
Forest Grove High School Forest Grove 1.9 mi 4.5
Tom McCall Upper Elementary Forest Grove 1.7 mi 6.0
Cornelius Elementary School Cornelius 1.9 mi 4.2
Dilley Elementary School Forest Grove 2.5 mi 8.2
Free Orchards Elementary School Cornelius 2.4 mi 3.2
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Banks 5.5 mi 5.6
Gaston Jr/Sr High School Gaston 6.1 mi 6.0
Gaston Elementary School Gaston 6.1 mi 7.5
Banks Elementary School Banks 6.7 mi 6.4
W Verne McKinney Elementary School Hillsboro 4.8 mi 6.7
Banks Middle School Banks 6.9 mi 3.9
Banks High School Banks 6.9 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,308

Median Home Value

$479,800

Median Rent

$1,397/mo

Population

29,598

College Educated

32.5%

Homeownership

64.8%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beavercreek Elementary School Beavercreek, OR 3.7
Bilquist Elementary School Milwaukie, OR 3.7
Hammond Elementary School Salem, OR 3.7
Highland Elementary School Salem, OR 3.7
Humbolt Elementary School Canyon City, OR 3.7
LaPine Elementary School Lapine, OR 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph Gale Elementary School

What grades does Joseph Gale Elementary School serve?

Joseph Gale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Joseph Gale Elementary School?

Joseph Gale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph Gale Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph Gale Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joseph Gale Elementary School rank in OR?

Joseph Gale Elementary School ranks #1,143 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Joseph Gale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph Gale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Joseph Gale Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph Gale Elementary School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Joseph Gale Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Joseph Gale Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

63.0% of students at Joseph Gale 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

District

Forest Grove SD 15
District Enrollment
5,788
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,916
District Rank
#10 of 10

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