Average
#585 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 48% in state
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
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest Grove
#3 of 8
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#402 of 689
In district
#4 of 10
Forest Grove SD 15
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Joseph Gale Elementary School
Joseph Gale Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the large suburban area of Forest Grove, Oregon. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, Joseph Gale has an enrollment of 392 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Joseph Gale Elementary School is currently rated at 4.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 27th percentile among Oregon schools.
Students demonstrate proficiency rates of 21% for ELA/reading and 23% for math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate room for academic growth, Joseph Gale focuses on nurturing student development and providing a supportive educational environment. Joseph Gale Elementary School is situated in a suburban setting that offers a close-knit community feel while still having access to the amenities of larger urban areas nearby.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Joseph Gale 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
Joseph Gale Elementary School — Students at Joseph Gale Elementary School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63%
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: 8.0/10.
How Joseph Gale Elementary School Compares
See how Joseph Gale Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 25.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 19.7% (2025).
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. Gaston Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Gaston), which scores notably higher. Another option is SWALLOWTAIL SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Cornelius), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Banks Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Banks), which scores slightly 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 | 4.5 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Forest Grove | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Forest Grove Community School Forest Grove | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Harvey Clarke Elementary School Forest Grove | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| SWALLOWTAIL SCHOOL Cornelius | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Echo Shaw Elementary School Cornelius | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Forest Grove High School Forest Grove | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Tom McCall Upper Elementary Forest Grove | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Cornelius Elementary School Cornelius | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Dilley Elementary School Forest Grove | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Free Orchards Elementary School Cornelius | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Banks | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Gaston Jr/Sr High School Gaston | 6.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Gaston Elementary School Gaston | 6.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Banks Elementary School Banks | 6.7 mi | 7.3 |
| W Verne McKinney Elementary School Hillsboro | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Banks Middle School Banks | 6.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Banks High School Banks | 6.9 mi | 3.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph Gale Elementary School has a median household income of $87,308. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $479,800, with a median rent of $1,397/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Bohemia Elementary School Cottage Grove, OR | 6.5 |
| Bush Elementary School Salem, OR | 6.5 |
| Candalaria Elementary School Salem, OR | 6.5 |
| Harrison Elementary School Cottage Grove, OR | 6.5 |
| Kalmiopsis Elementary School Brookings, OR | 6.5 |
| Kelso Elementary School Sandy, OR | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #585 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Joseph Gale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph Gale Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Joseph Gale Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph Gale Elementary School has 23.3% math proficiency and 21.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,723/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forest Grove). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (503) 359-2482
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Forest Grove SD 15- District Enrollment
- 5,788
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,916
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.