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Very Good

#399 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 33% 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

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#399 of 1,226

In Sandy

#7 of 10

public schools

In district

#7 of 10

Oregon Trail SD 46

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Kelso Elementary School

7.2/10

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

Sandy High School

4.1/10

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

Oregon Trail Academy

8.5/10

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

About Kelso Elementary School

Kelso Elementary School is a public elementary school in Sandy, OR, part of Oregon Trail SD 46. Kelso Elementary School serves approximately 363 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Kelso Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #399 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Kelso Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.0
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Kelso Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

33% of students at Kelso 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 Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.1% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.6% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,105
Chronic Absenteeism33.1%

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 59.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 65.4% (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
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
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: 7.5/10.

How Kelso Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in OR
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

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

PO Box 547, Sandy, OR 97055

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kelso Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sandy Grade School (rated 8.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oregon Trail Academy (rated 8.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Orient Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Gresham), 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 4.1
Oregon Trail Academy Sandy 2.5 mi 8.5
Cedar Ridge Middle School Sandy 2.3 mi 6.7
Sandy Grade School Sandy 2.6 mi 8.9
GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Boring 3.2 mi 4.1
East Orient Elementary School Gresham 4.0 mi 8.0
West Orient Middle School Gresham 4.1 mi 4.3
Boring Middle School Sandy 3.5 mi 6.8
Naas Elementary School Sandy 3.6 mi 7.5
Summit Learning Charter Eagle Creek 4.6 mi 7.3
Sam Barlow High School Gresham 5.0 mi 4.0
Firwood Elementary School Sandy 5.2 mi 7.5
Kelly Creek Elementary School Gresham 5.6 mi 6.0
Powell Valley Elementary School Gresham 6.1 mi 3.6
Corbett School Corbett 7.6 mi 6.2
OPEN DOOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Troutdale 6.9 mi 4.9
Gordon Russell Middle School Gresham 6.6 mi 3.5
Deep Creek - Damascus K-8 School Damascus 5.7 mi 7.7
Hogan Cedars Elementary School Gresham 6.6 mi 4.3
Springwater Trail High School Gresham 6.7 mi 6.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Candalaria Elementary School Salem, OR 7.2
Kairos PDX Portland, OR 7.2
Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School Corvallis, OR 7.2
Riverview School Lebanon, OR 7.2
Sunset Elementary School Hermiston, OR 7.2
Terrebonne Community School Terrebonne, OR 7.2

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 ranks #399 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Kelso Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kelso Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Kelso Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kelso Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

District

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

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