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Needs Improvement

#1204 of 1,226 schools in OR

Molalla High School

High School · Molalla River SD 35

PO Box 309, Molalla, OR 97038

Enrollment

773

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

3.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Molalla

#5 of 5

public schools

Oregon high schools

#240 of 250

In district

#7 of 7

Molalla River SD 35

About Molalla High School

Molalla High School serves approximately 773 students in grades 9 through 12 in the town of Molalla, Oregon, located on the fringe of an urban area in Clackamas County. The school operates as a regular public high school with 42 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1. Academically, the school is working with some significant challenges.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.3 out of 10, and it ranks in the 15th percentile among Oregon high schools at #1047 out of 1231 statewide. In English Language Arts and Reading, about 52% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics proficiency is lower at 27% proficient or above. These numbers indicate the school has considerable room for academic growth and improvement, particularly in math.

With nearly 800 students and a moderate class size ratio, Molalla High School is a mid-sized high school serving its local community. The school's setting in a small town on the urban fringe provides a distinct educational environment for families in the Molalla area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.6%
Math vs. State Avg-10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,707

Molalla High School — Students at Molalla High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 8 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
47%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
21.8%
ELA
35.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.

How Molalla High School Compares

See how Molalla High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in OR
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

PO Box 309, Molalla, OR 97038

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Molalla High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oregon City Senior High School (rated 5.5/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Oregon City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colton High School (rated 4.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Colton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Canby High School (rated 3.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Canby), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Molalla, see our Molalla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Molalla River Middle School Molalla 1.0 mi 6.5
Molalla Elementary School Molalla 1.3 mi 7.8
COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Molalla 2.8 mi 4.5
Molalla River Academy Molalla 3.2 mi 4.0
Mulino Elementary School Mulino 4.6 mi 7.1
Rural Dell Elementary School Molalla 4.0 mi 7.3
Clarkes Elementary School Mulino 6.3 mi 6.6
Carus School Oregon City 8.1 mi 8.3
Colton High School Colton 6.4 mi 4.9
Colton Virtual Academy Colton 6.4 mi
Beavercreek Elementary School Beavercreek 9.6 mi 5.0
Baker Prairie Middle School Canby 8.7 mi 6.4
Colton Middle School Colton 7.1 mi 5.0
Cecile Trost Elementary School Canby 8.8 mi 6.8
Colton Elementary School Colton 7.4 mi 4.4
Scotts Mills Elementary School Scotts Mills 9.2 mi 3.9
Philander Lee Elementary School Canby 9.0 mi 5.6
Butte Creek Elementary School Mt. Angel 8.9 mi 5.8
Canby High School Canby 9.5 mi 3.6
Oregon City Senior High School Oregon City 11.5 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97038 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,585

Median Home Value

$452,200

Median Rent

$1,497/mo

Population

17,100

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Molalla High School has a median household income of $87,585. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,200, with a median rent of $1,497/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Baker High School Baker City, OR 3.2
Crater Academy of Health and Public Services Central Point, OR 3.2
Redmond Proficiency Academy Redmond, OR 3.5
Gladstone High School Gladstone, OR 3.6
Pendleton High School Pendleton, OR 3.6
St Helens High School St. Helens, OR 2.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Molalla High School

What grades does Molalla High School serve?

Molalla High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Molalla High School?

Molalla High School has an enrollment of approximately 773 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Molalla High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Molalla High School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Molalla High School rank in OR?

Molalla High School is ranked #1204 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Molalla High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Molalla High School has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Molalla High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Molalla High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Molalla High School a charter school?

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

Is Molalla High School a Title I school?

No, Molalla High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Molalla High School?

48.8% of students at Molalla High 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
Elevated (845/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Clackamas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Molalla River SD 35
District Enrollment
2,559
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,911
District Rank
#7 of 7

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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