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Below Average

#1081 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

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,081 of 1,226

In St. Helens

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

St Helens SD 502

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St Helens Middle School

4.2/10

Middle School in St. Helens · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Plymouth High School

5.6/10

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

St. Helens Virtual Academy

5.5/10

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

About St Helens Middle School

St Helens Middle School is a public middle school in St. Helens, OR, part of St Helens SD 502. St Helens Middle School serves approximately 564 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio.

St Helens Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,081 of 1,226 schools in OR. Structured state assessment records for St Helens Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below OR schools
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • OR avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at St Helens Middle 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.9% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.2% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment6.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,419
Chronic Absenteeism47.2%

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 45.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 58.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 30 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
81%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
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: 3.7/10.

How St Helens Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
12th percentile in OR
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Ridge Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbia Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 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 5.6
St. Helens Virtual Academy St. Helens 0.2 mi 5.5
Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens 0.3 mi 5.4
St Helens High School St. Helens 1.4 mi 3.7
McBride Elementary School St. Helens 1.3 mi 4.4
Columbia City School Columbia City 1.9 mi 4.0
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Helens 3.8 mi 5.7
Warren Elementary School Warren 4.0 mi 3.0
South Columbia Family School Scappoose 4.0 mi 7.7
Columbia Elementary School Woodland 4.0 mi 8.3
St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens 3.6 mi 6.5
Lewis River Academy Woodland 4.1 mi 3.8
Woodland Alternative School Woodland 4.2 mi 4.3
Woodland Middle School Woodland 4.2 mi 8.1
Woodland High School Woodland 5.1 mi 4.5
Union Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 4.7 mi 8.7
Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield 4.7 mi 5.7
SCAPPOOSE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Scappoose 6.3 mi 4.5
North Fork Elementary School Woodland 6.1 mi 9.2
Ridgefield High School Ridgefield 6.6 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brixner Junior High School Klamath Falls, OR 4.2
Lincoln Middle School Cottage Grove, OR 4.2
High Desert Middle School Bend, OR 4.3
West Orient Middle School Gresham, OR 4.3
Parrish Middle School Salem, OR 4.1
Tumwata Middle School Oregon City, OR 4.1

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 ranks #1,081 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is St Helens Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Helens Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 St Helens Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, St Helens Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.2%

District

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

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