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Needs Improvement

#1172 of 1,226 schools in OR

Santiam Elementary School

Elementary School · Santiam Canyon SD 129J

PO Box 198, Mill City, OR 97360

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,172 of 1,226

In Mill City

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Santiam Canyon SD 129J

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Santiam Elementary School

3.5/10

Elementary School in Mill City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Santiam Junior/senior High School

4.1/10

3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oregon Charter Academy

5.4/10

3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Santiam Elementary School

Santiam Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mill City, OR, part of Santiam Canyon SD 129J. Santiam Elementary School serves approximately 255 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Santiam Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,172 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Santiam Elementary School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.0 pts below OR schools
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Santiam Elementary School 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.

49% of students at Santiam Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.7% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.5% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$4,458
Chronic Absenteeism48.6%

Santiam Elementary School — Students at Santiam Elementary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 26 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
26.7%
ELA
28.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How Santiam Elementary School Compares

See how Santiam Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
5th percentile in OR
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

Location

PO Box 198, Mill City, OR 97360

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santiam Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Victor Point Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Silverton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stayton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Stayton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, REGIS ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Stayton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mill City, see our Mill City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Santiam Junior/Senior High School Mill City 3.2 mi 4.1
Oregon Charter Academy Mill City 3.5 mi 5.4
Mari-Linn Elementary School Lyons 10.1 mi 4.8
Lourdes School Scio 13.8 mi 3.9
Silver Crest Elementary School Silverton 17.3 mi 6.9
Lacomb School Lebanon 19.6 mi 6.1
REGIS ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stayton 18.7 mi 7.5
Victor Point Elementary School Silverton 20.2 mi 9.5
Sublimity Elementary School Sublimity 19.0 mi 7.3
Stayton Elementary School Stayton 18.9 mi 7.6
Molalla River Academy Molalla 26.2 mi 4.3
Stayton High School Stayton 19.3 mi 6.6
North Santiam Options Academy Stayton 19.3 mi 2.3
Stayton Middle School Stayton 19.5 mi 6.1
Scotts Mills Elementary School Scotts Mills 24.1 mi 6.7
Colton Middle School Colton 28.7 mi 4.6
Colton Elementary School Colton 28.7 mi 3.6
Colton High School Colton 29.1 mi 5.6
Colton Virtual Academy Colton 29.1 mi
Butte Creek Elementary School Mt. Angel 25.7 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,912

Median Home Value

$281,100

Median Rent

$1,168/mo

Population

2,362

College Educated

11.4%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Age

35.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bush Elementary School Salem, OR 3.5
Sunrise Elementary School Albany, OR 3.5
Colton Elementary School Colton, OR 3.6
Driftwood Elementary School Port Orford, OR 3.6
Myrtle Creek Elementary School Myrtle Creek, OR 3.4
Powell Valley Elementary School Gresham, OR 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santiam Elementary School

What grades does Santiam Elementary School serve?

Santiam Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Santiam Elementary School?

Santiam Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santiam Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Santiam Elementary School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santiam Elementary School rank in OR?

Santiam Elementary School ranks #1,172 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Santiam Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Santiam Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Santiam Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Santiam Elementary School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Santiam Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Santiam Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Santiam Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santiam Elementary School?

69.0% of students at Santiam 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
2 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Linn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

District

Santiam Canyon SD 129J
District Enrollment
2,677
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$4,458
District Rank
#3 of 3

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