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Average

#601 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 49% in state

Kelso Elementary School

Elementary School · Oregon Trail SD 46

PO Box 547, Sandy, OR 97055

Enrollment

363

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sandy

#7 of 10

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#409 of 689

In district

#7 of 10

Oregon Trail SD 46

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Kelso Elementary School

Kelso Elementary School serves 363 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Sandy, Oregon. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.1 to 1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, creating manageable classroom sizes for elementary learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 166th out of 1,231 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile.

With an impressive academic score of 9.1 out of 10, Kelso Elementary shows particularly solid results in core subjects, with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 57% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. The school draws families from the 97055 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $102,199 and the median home value is $456,400. The community maintains a low poverty rate of just 5%, while 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a ZIP code population of 19,621, the area provides a stable base for the school community. Kelso Elementary School is situated in a rural setting near the town of Sandy, offering students the benefits of small-town community life while maintaining access to quality educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Kelso Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.6%
Math vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,377

Kelso Elementary School — Students at Kelso Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 55.2%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
44.1%
ELA
46.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Kelso Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
51th percentile in OR
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

PO Box 547, Sandy, OR 97055

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kelso Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Naas Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sandy Grade School (rated 8.0/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Firwood Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sandy, see our Sandy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Sandy High School Sandy 1.7 mi 2.5
Oregon Trail Academy Sandy 2.5 mi 6.9
Cedar Ridge Middle School Sandy 2.3 mi 4.5
Sandy Grade School Sandy 2.6 mi 8.0
GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Boring 3.2 mi 4.1
East Orient Elementary School Gresham 4.0 mi 5.7
West Orient Middle School Gresham 4.1 mi 3.9
Boring Middle School Sandy 3.5 mi 6.3
Naas Elementary School Sandy 3.6 mi 8.1
Summit Learning Charter Eagle Creek 4.6 mi 5.5
Sam Barlow High School Gresham 5.0 mi 5.2
Firwood Elementary School Sandy 5.2 mi 7.0
Kelly Creek Elementary School Gresham 5.6 mi 3.7
Powell Valley Elementary School Gresham 6.1 mi 5.0
Corbett School Corbett 7.6 mi 6.0
OPEN DOOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Troutdale 6.9 mi 4.9
Gordon Russell Middle School Gresham 6.6 mi 3.2
Deep Creek - Damascus K-8 School Damascus 5.7 mi 6.6
Hogan Cedars Elementary School Gresham 6.6 mi 5.3
Springwater Trail High School Gresham 6.7 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97055 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,696

Median Home Value

$472,900

Median Rent

$1,573/mo

Population

20,131

College Educated

26.4%

Homeownership

82.9%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kelso Elementary School has a median household income of $105,696. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $472,900, with a median rent of $1,573/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland, OR 6.5
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukie, OR 6.5
Candalaria Elementary School Salem, OR 6.5
Harrison Elementary School Cottage Grove, OR 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kelso Elementary School

What grades does Kelso Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Kelso Elementary School?

Kelso Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Kelso Elementary School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kelso Elementary School rank in OR?

Kelso Elementary School is ranked #601 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Kelso Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kelso 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 Kelso Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kelso Elementary School has 51.0% math proficiency and 55.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kelso Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Kelso Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

39.1% of students at Kelso 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

City Safety
High (1,580/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sandy). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Clackamas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oregon Trail SD 46
District Enrollment
4,316
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,105
District Rank
#7 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 methodology

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