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Needs Improvement

#1189 of 1,226 schools in OR

St Helens Middle School

Middle School · St Helens SD 502

354 N 15th St, St. Helens, OR 97051

Enrollment

564

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

3.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. Helens

#6 of 7

public schools

Oregon middle schools

#201 of 207

In district

#7 of 8

St Helens SD 502

About St Helens Middle School

St Helens Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the town of St Helens, Oregon. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 564 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1. The setting is on the fringe of an urban area, offering a mix of rural and suburban charm.

With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, St Helens Middle School focuses on providing a supportive environment for its diverse group of learners. While the academic performance data shows room for improvement, with only 45% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 24% in Math, the school continues to strive for better outcomes. Located in an area that blends the tranquility of small-town life with proximity to urban amenities, St Helens Middle School is part of a community dedicated to supporting its young scholars.

The school’s setting within St Helens offers students access to local parks and recreational facilities, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.2%
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,833

St Helens Middle School — Students at St Helens Middle School score 20% 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

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
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
41%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
15.9%
ELA
24.2%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How St Helens Middle School Compares

See how St Helens Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in OR
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

354 N 15th St, St. Helens, OR 97051

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Helens Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Fork Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Ridge Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbia Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in St. Helens, see our St. Helens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Plymouth High School St. Helens 0.2 mi 5.7
St. Helens Virtual Academy St. Helens 0.2 mi 6.2
Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens 0.3 mi 5.4
St Helens High School St. Helens 1.4 mi 2.8
McBride Elementary School St. Helens 1.3 mi 6.2
Columbia City School Columbia City 1.9 mi 7.0
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Helens 3.8 mi 5.7
Warren Elementary School Warren 4.0 mi 3.2
South Columbia Family School Scappoose 4.0 mi 7.7
Columbia Elementary School Woodland 4.0 mi 7.9
St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens 3.6 mi 6.5
Lewis River Academy Woodland 4.1 mi 4.6
Woodland Alternative School Woodland 4.2 mi 6.3
Woodland Middle School Woodland 4.2 mi 6.2
Woodland High School Woodland 5.1 mi 4.2
Union Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 4.7 mi 8.4
Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield 4.7 mi 5.6
SCAPPOOSE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Scappoose 6.3 mi 4.5
North Fork Elementary School Woodland 6.1 mi 8.7
Ridgefield High School Ridgefield 6.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97051 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,837

Median Home Value

$369,300

Median Rent

$1,258/mo

Population

17,589

College Educated

16.5%

Homeownership

65.5%

Avg Commute

32 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Helens Middle School has a median household income of $85,837. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,300, with a median rent of $1,258/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Parkrose Middle School Portland, OR 3.8
White Mountain Middle School White City, OR 3.8
Cascade Middle School Eugene, OR 3.9
Estacada Middle School Estacada, OR 3.9
West Orient Middle School Gresham, OR 3.9
Gordon Russell Middle School Gresham, OR 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Helens Middle School

What grades does St Helens Middle School serve?

St Helens Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend St Helens Middle School?

St Helens Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 564 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Helens Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Helens Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does St Helens Middle School rank in OR?

St Helens Middle School is ranked #1189 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is St Helens Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Helens Middle 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 St Helens Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Helens Middle School has 24.5% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Helens Middle School a charter school?

No, St Helens Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is St Helens Middle School a Title I school?

No, St Helens Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St Helens Middle School?

67.6% of students at St Helens Middle 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
Elevated (1,211/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Columbia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

St Helens SD 502
District Enrollment
2,808
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,419
District Rank
#7 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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