Excellent
#238 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 19% in state
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1
63100 NE Purcell, Bend, OR 97701
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Oregon schools
#238 of 1,226
In Bend
#11 of 31
public schools
In district
#10 of 35
Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School in Bend · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Trinity Lutheran School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Realms Middle School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary is a public elementary school in Bend, OR, part of Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1. Ponderosa Elementary serves approximately 469 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponderosa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #238 of 1,226 schools in OR.
Structured state assessment records for Ponderosa Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- OR avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Ponderosa Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
38% of students at Ponderosa Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 30 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: 8.2/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
63100 NE Purcell, Bend, OR 97701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bend International School (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Juniper Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Buckingham Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.6 |
| Realms High School Bend | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Sky View Middle School Bend | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Mountain View Senior High School Bend | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Lava Ridge Elementary School Bend | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Ensworth Elementary School Bend | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bend | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Oregon Family School Crane | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| J BAR J LEARNING CENTERS Bend | 1.5 mi | — |
| Pilot Butte Middle School Bend | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| EASTMONT SCHOOL Bend | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Juniper Elementary School Bend | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| 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 | 8.9 |
| Buckingham Elementary School Bend | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| COIC - BEND Bend | 2.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Bend Tech Academy Bend | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Orient Elementary School Gresham, OR | 8.0 |
| Lenox Elementary School Portland, OR | 8.0 |
| Quatama Elementary School Hillsboro, OR | 8.0 |
| Scouters Mountain Elementary Happy Valley, OR | 8.0 |
| Sunset Primary School West Linn, OR | 8.0 |
| West Park Elementary School Hermiston, OR | 8.0 |
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 ranks #238 of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ponderosa Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponderosa Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.2%
- Phone
- (541) 355-4300
Resources & Links
District
Bend-LaPine Administrative SD 1- District Enrollment
- 17,075
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,369
- District Rank
- #10 of 35
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