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Below Average

#1124 of 1,226 schools in OR

Prairie City School

School · Prairie City SD 4

PO Box 345, Prairie City, OR 97869

Enrollment

245

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Prairie City

#1 of 2

public schools

Oregon schools

#75 of 80

In district

#1 of 2

Prairie City SD 4

About Prairie City School

Prairie City School is a K-12 regular public school nestled in the remote rural area of Prairie City, Oregon. With an enrollment of 245 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. The dedicated staff includes 21 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic growth.

While Prairie City School currently ranks in the bottom percentile among Oregon schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.4, it is clear that there is room for improvement. In ELA/reading proficiency, 39% of students are meeting or exceeding standards, while only 21% demonstrate proficiency in math. These scores reflect areas where the school focuses its efforts to enhance educational outcomes.

Prairie City School is embedded within a tight-knit rural community that values education and works together to provide support for all students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Prairie City School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.4%
Math vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$4,746

Prairie City School — Students at Prairie City School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 39.0%
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
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
14.3%
ELA
27.4%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Prairie City School Compares

See how Prairie City School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in OR
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

PO Box 345, Prairie City, OR 97869

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie City School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Grant Union Junior/Senior High School (rated 7.0/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby John Day), which scores notably higher. Another option is Humbolt Elementary School (rated 3.3/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Canyon City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oregon Connections Academy (rated 2.8/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Prairie City, see our Prairie City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

6 within 26.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Oregon Connections Academy Prairie City 0.0 mi 2.8
Virtual Preparatory Academy of Oregon Prairie City 0.0 mi
Grant Union Junior/Senior High School John Day 12.3 mi 7.0
Humbolt Elementary School Canyon City 12.5 mi 3.3
Seneca Elementary School Seneca 25.6 mi
Long Creek School Long Creek 26.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97869 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,583

Median Home Value

$190,700

Median Rent

$858/mo

Population

919

College Educated

24.2%

Homeownership

86.3%

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

53.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie City School has a median household income of $59,583. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,700, with a median rent of $858/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hillsboro Online Academy Hillsboro, OR 4.0
Eddyville Charter School Eddyville, OR 4.6
NORTH CLACKAMAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oregon City, OR 4.7
OPEN DOOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Troutdale, OR 4.9
DAMASCUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Damascus, OR 5.0
Academy for Character Education Cottage Grove, OR 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie City School

What grades does Prairie City School serve?

Prairie City School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Prairie City School?

Prairie City School has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie City School?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie City School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie City School rank in OR?

Prairie City School is ranked #1124 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Prairie City School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie City School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Prairie City School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie City School has 20.8% math proficiency and 39.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie City School a charter school?

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

Is Prairie City School a Title I school?

No, Prairie City School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie City School?

58.0% of students at Prairie City 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.

7 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Grant County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Prairie City SD 4
District Enrollment
1,224
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,875
District Rank
#1 of 2

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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