Excellent
#126 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 10% in state
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1
63100 NE Purcell, Bend, OR 97701
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bend
#3 of 31
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#109 of 689
In district
#2 of 35
Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary is a public elementary school in Bend, OR, part of the Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1. The school serves approximately 469 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 89.8th percentile among OR schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 48% proficiency in math, 17 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 15 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $77,969, where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ponderosa Elementary 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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Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.5%
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
→ 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: 9.0/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 49.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 63.7% (2025).
Location
63100 NE Purcell, Bend, OR 97701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Bend International School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF BEND (rated 7.0/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bend, see our Bend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bend | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Realms Middle School Bend | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Realms High School Bend | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Sky View Middle School Bend | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Mountain View Senior High School Bend | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Lava Ridge Elementary School Bend | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Ensworth Elementary School Bend | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bend | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Oregon Family School Crane | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| J BAR J LEARNING CENTERS Bend | 1.5 mi | — |
| Pilot Butte Middle School Bend | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| EASTMONT SCHOOL Bend | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Juniper Elementary School Bend | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF BEND Bend | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| A CHILD'S GARDEN Bend | 2.0 mi | — |
| CENTRAL OREGON INTERGOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL SKILL LAB Bend | 1.8 mi | — |
| Bend International School Bend | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Buckingham Elementary School Bend | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| COIC - BEND Bend | 2.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Bend Tech Academy Bend | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,969
Median Home Value
$567,800
Median Rent
$1,700/mo
Population
42,543
College Educated
42.4%
Homeownership
53.9%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa Elementary has a median household income of $77,969. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $567,800, with a median rent of $1,700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Barnes Butte Elementary Prineville, OR | 8.4 |
| Island City Elementary School Island City, OR | 8.4 |
| Kelly Elementary School Portland, OR | 8.4 |
| Lake Grove Elementary School Lake Oswego, OR | 8.4 |
| Melrose Elementary School Roseburg, OR | 8.4 |
| Sabin Elementary School Portland, OR | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa Elementary
What grades does Ponderosa Elementary serve?
Ponderosa Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary?
Ponderosa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 469 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa Elementary rank in OR?
Ponderosa Elementary is ranked #126 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Ponderosa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa Elementary has 48.4% math proficiency and 57.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a charter school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa Elementary?
40.5% of students at Ponderosa Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 18 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 11 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,551/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bend). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 469
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Deschutes County
- Phone
- (541) 355-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1- District Enrollment
- 17,075
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,369
- District Rank
- #2 of 35
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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