Very Good
#338 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 28% in state
Otto Petersen Elementary School
Middle School · Scappoose SD 1J
52050 SE 3rd St, Scappoose, OR 97056
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
4th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scappoose
#2 of 6
public schools
Oregon middle schools
#34 of 207
In district
#3 of 8
Scappoose SD 1J
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Otto Petersen Elementary School
Otto Petersen Elementary School is a middle school located in Scappoose, Oregon, serving students from fourth through sixth grade. The school has an enrollment of 390 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated on the edge of an urban area, Otto Petersen Elementary School provides a setting that balances town life with suburban tranquility.
The school’s academic performance is rated at 6.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 346th out of 1231 schools in Oregon, placing it around the 72nd percentile statewide. Students perform particularly well in English Language Arts (ELA), with 47% achieving proficiency or above on average across grades. Math scores are slightly lower, with only 26% of students reaching proficiency levels.
Despite these areas needing improvement, Otto Petersen Elementary School focuses on the overall development and nurturing of its young learners, making it a supportive environment for middle schoolers in Scappoose. The setting offers easy access to local amenities while maintaining a close-knit community feel.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Otto Petersen Elementary School is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Otto Petersen Elementary School — Students at Otto Petersen Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Otto Petersen Elementary School Compares
See how Otto Petersen Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 50.9% (2025).
Location
52050 SE 3rd St, Scappoose, OR 97056
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Otto Petersen Elementary School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Scappoose Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, St Helens Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby St. Helens), a more accessible option. For more schools in Scappoose, see our Scappoose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Scappoose Online Academy Scappoose | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Grant Watts Elementary School Scappoose | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Scappoose High School Scappoose | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Scappoose Middle School Scappoose | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| SCAPPOOSE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Scappoose | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Warren Elementary School Warren | 4.4 mi | 3.2 |
| South Columbia Family School Scappoose | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Helens | 4.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Sauvie Island School Portland | 7.0 mi | 8.6 |
| St Helens High School St. Helens | 7.1 mi | 2.8 |
| McBride Elementary School St. Helens | 7.5 mi | 6.2 |
| St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens | 8.1 mi | 6.5 |
| St Helens Middle School St. Helens | 8.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Plymouth High School St. Helens | 8.5 mi | 5.7 |
| St. Helens Virtual Academy St. Helens | 8.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens | 8.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Skyline Elementary School Portland | 9.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield | 7.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Union Ridge Elementary Ridgefield | 7.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Columbia City School Columbia City | 10.3 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,351
Median Home Value
$437,500
Median Rent
$1,612/mo
Population
12,794
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
77.2%
Avg Commute
30.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Otto Petersen Elementary School has a median household income of $95,351. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $437,500, with a median rent of $1,612/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Gray Middle School Portland, OR | 7.5 |
| Agnes Stewart Middle School Springfield, OR | 7.3 |
| Fern Ridge Middle School Elmira, OR | 7.3 |
| Kennedy Middle School Eugene, OR | 7.3 |
| Sisters Middle School Sisters, OR | 7.3 |
| Athey Creek Middle School West Linn, OR | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Otto Petersen Elementary School
What grades does Otto Petersen Elementary School serve?
Otto Petersen Elementary School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.
How many students attend Otto Petersen Elementary School?
Otto Petersen Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 390 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Otto Petersen Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Otto Petersen Elementary School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Otto Petersen Elementary School rank in OR?
Otto Petersen Elementary School is ranked #338 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Otto Petersen Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Otto Petersen Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Otto Petersen Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Otto Petersen Elementary School has 25.8% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Otto Petersen Elementary School a charter school?
No, Otto Petersen Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Otto Petersen Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Otto Petersen Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Otto Petersen Elementary School?
39.0% of students at Otto Petersen 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 390
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (971) 200-8003
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Scappoose SD 1J- District Enrollment
- 2,255
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,387
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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