Below Average
#1150 of 1,226 schools in OR
Molalla River Academy
Elementary School · Molalla River SD 35
16897 S Callahan Rd, Molalla, OR 97038
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Molalla
#4 of 5
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#669 of 689
In district
#6 of 7
Molalla River SD 35
About Molalla River Academy
Molalla River Academy is a charter school located in the rural area near Molalla, Oregon. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 213 students and employs 13 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of about 16 to 1. While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—only 38% proficiency in ELA/reading and 28% in math—the school is committed to supporting its students' development.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10, Molalla River Academy offers a regular public education setting that focuses on providing a supportive environment for young learners. The school's location amidst the rural charm of Clackamas County provides a serene and community-oriented atmosphere for both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Molalla River Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Molalla River Academy 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Molalla River Academy — Students at Molalla River Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.6/10.
How Molalla River Academy Compares
See how Molalla River Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 18.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22.1% (2025).
Location
16897 S Callahan Rd, Molalla, OR 97038
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Molalla River Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carus School (rated 8.3/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Oregon City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Molalla Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rural Dell Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Molalla, see our Molalla schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Molalla | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Molalla High School Molalla | 3.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Molalla River Middle School Molalla | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Molalla Elementary School Molalla | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Colton High School Colton | 5.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Colton Virtual Academy Colton | 5.3 mi | — |
| Clarkes Elementary School Mulino | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Colton Middle School Colton | 5.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Colton Elementary School Colton | 5.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Mulino Elementary School Mulino | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Rural Dell Elementary School Molalla | 6.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Carus School Oregon City | 10.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Beavercreek Elementary School Beavercreek | 11.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Scotts Mills Elementary School Scotts Mills | 9.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Butte Creek Elementary School Mt. Angel | 9.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Baker Prairie Middle School Canby | 11.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Oregon City Senior High School Oregon City | 13.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Cecile Trost Elementary School Canby | 12.0 mi | 6.8 |
| NORTH CLACKAMAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oregon City | 14.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Philander Lee Elementary School Canby | 12.2 mi | 5.6 |
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 River Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Boring, OR | 4.1 |
| Salem Heights Elementary School Salem, OR | 3.9 |
| Scotts Mills Elementary School Scotts Mills, OR | 3.9 |
| Lee Elementary School Salem, OR | 4.2 |
| McKinley Elementary School Salem, OR | 4.3 |
| Valley Inquiry Charter School Salem, OR | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Molalla River Academy
What grades does Molalla River Academy serve?
Molalla River Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Molalla River Academy?
Molalla River Academy has an enrollment of approximately 213 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Molalla River Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Molalla River Academy is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Molalla River Academy rank in OR?
Molalla River Academy is ranked #1150 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Molalla River Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Molalla River Academy has a composite rating of 4.0 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 River Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Molalla River Academy has 28.0% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Molalla River Academy a charter school?
Yes, Molalla River Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Molalla River Academy a Title I school?
No, Molalla River Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Molalla River Academy?
30.5% of students at Molalla River Academy 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
- Elevated (845/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Molalla). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 213
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Clackamas County
- Phone
- (503) 829-6672
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Molalla River SD 35- District Enrollment
- 2,559
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,911
- District Rank
- #6 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 methodologyRelated reading
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