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Needs Improvement

#1187 of 1,226 schools in OR

Pendleton High School

High School · Pendleton SD 16

1800 NW Carden Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

Enrollment

773

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pendleton

#9 of 9

public schools

Oregon high schools

#232 of 250

In district

#8 of 8

Pendleton SD 16

About Pendleton High School

Pendleton High School serves grades 9–12 in Pendleton, Oregon, with an enrollment of 773 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.8 to 1, supported by 39 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 52% of students demonstrate proficiency or above, while mathematics proficiency sits at 20%, indicating an area of significant focus for improvement. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 reflects these current academic challenges, and it ranks in the lower percentile statewide, positioning it among schools with substantial room for growth. As a regular public high school located in the town of Pendleton, Pendleton High School serves as an important educational institution for the local community.

Families considering this school should weigh the current academic performance data against other factors like school culture, extracurricular offerings, and community resources that may support student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.8%
Math vs. State Avg-21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,865

Pendleton High School — Students at Pendleton High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
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
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
10.8%
ELA
36.8%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Pendleton High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in OR
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

1800 NW Carden Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pendleton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pilot Rock High School (rated 8.1/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Pilot Rock), which scores notably higher. Another option is Weston-McEwen High School (rated 7.2/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Athena), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nixyaawii Community School (rated 7.1/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pendleton, see our Pendleton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hawthorne Alternative High School Pendleton 0.1 mi 5.1
Pendleton Early Learning Center Pendleton 0.7 mi 6.7
PENDLETON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pendleton 1.3 mi
InterMountain Virtual Learning Academy Pendleton 1.5 mi 5.2
Sherwood Heights Elementary School Pendleton 1.6 mi 4.0
Sunridge Middle School Pendleton 1.9 mi 5.2
Washington Elementary School Pendleton 1.6 mi 6.4
McKay Creek Elementary School Pendleton 2.2 mi 7.2
Nixyaawii Community School Pendleton 5.5 mi 7.1
Pilot Rock High School Pilot Rock 13.4 mi 8.1
Pilot Rock Elementary School Pilot Rock 13.6 mi 5.7
Helix Charter School Helix 14.1 mi 7.9
Weston-McEwen High School Athena 18.0 mi 7.2
Athena Elementary School Athena 18.0 mi 8.4
Echo School Echo 19.1 mi 7.5
Touchet Elem & High School Touchet 26.2 mi 6.3
Weston Middle School Weston 20.8 mi 8.5
Stanfield Secondary School Stanfield 21.7 mi 4.5
Stanfield Elementary School Stanfield 21.8 mi 9.1
Central Middle School Milton-Freewater 26.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,308

Median Home Value

$277,600

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

21,930

College Educated

25.8%

Homeownership

61.4%

Avg Commute

14.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pendleton High School has a median household income of $73,308. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,600, with a median rent of $924/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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
Gladstone High School Gladstone, OR 3.6
Cottage Grove High School Cottage Grove, OR 3.7
Crater School of Business Innovation and Science Central Point, OR 3.7
Redmond High School Redmond, OR 3.7
Redmond Proficiency Academy Redmond, OR 3.5
Sweet Home High School Sweet Home, OR 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pendleton High School

What grades does Pendleton High School serve?

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

How many students attend Pendleton High School?

Pendleton High School has an enrollment of approximately 773 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pendleton High School is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pendleton High School rank in OR?

Pendleton High School is ranked #1187 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Pendleton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pendleton High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Pendleton High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pendleton High School has 20.5% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pendleton High School a charter school?

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

Is Pendleton High School a Title I school?

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

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

73.5% of students at Pendleton 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
High (3,130/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Umatilla County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pendleton SD 16
District Enrollment
2,955
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,002
District Rank
#8 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 methodology

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