Average
#682 of 1,226 schools in OR
St. Helens Virtual Academy
School · St Helens SD 502
470 N 16th St, St. Helens, OR 97051
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. Helens
#3 of 7
public schools
Oregon schools
#41 of 80
In district
#4 of 8
St Helens SD 502
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About St. Helens Virtual Academy
St. Helens Virtual Academy is a regular public school located in St. Helens, Oregon, on the edge of an urban area, making it accessible to both rural and suburban communities.
Serving kindergarten through 12th grade, the school has an enrollment of just 84 students, which allows for personalized attention with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. With seven full-time equivalent teachers, St. Helens Virtual Academy provides a supportive learning environment that caters to individual needs.
The academic performance data shows room for growth, with the school ranking at the 20th percentile among Oregon schools and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. Students are performing below average in both ELA/Reading (29% proficient or above) and Math (16% proficient or above). However, these figures highlight areas where the school can focus on improving educational outcomes.
St. Helens Virtual Academy is situated in a town that offers a blend of rural tranquility and urban conveniences, making it an ideal setting for students to receive a tailored education while being part of a close-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 84 students, St. Helens Virtual Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at St. Helens Virtual Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
St. Helens Virtual Academy is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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St. Helens Virtual Academy — Students at St. Helens Virtual Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 4 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.
How St. Helens Virtual Academy Compares
See how St. Helens Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2022) to 7.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2022) to 33.3% (2025).
Location
470 N 16th St, St. Helens, OR 97051
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St. Helens Virtual Academy may also want to explore other 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, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbia Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.9 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 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth High School St. Helens | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| St Helens Middle School St. Helens | 0.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| McBride Elementary School St. Helens | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| St Helens High School St. Helens | 1.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Columbia City School Columbia City | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Helens | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Warren Elementary School Warren | 4.1 mi | 3.2 |
| South Columbia Family School Scappoose | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Columbia Elementary School Woodland | 3.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Lewis River Academy Woodland | 4.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Woodland Alternative School Woodland | 4.1 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 | 4.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| SCAPPOOSE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Scappoose | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| North Fork Elementary School Woodland | 6.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Ridgefield High School Ridgefield | 6.8 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 Virtual Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| BRIDGEWAY HOUSE Eugene, OR | 6.3 |
| Compass K-12 Online School Toledo, OR | 6.3 |
| Morrow Education Center Irrigon, OR | 6.3 |
| KNOX CLASSICAL ACADEMY Central Point, OR | 6.1 |
| Huntington School Huntington, OR | 6.0 |
| VILLAGE FREE SCHOOL Portland, OR | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St. Helens Virtual Academy
What grades does St. Helens Virtual Academy serve?
St. Helens Virtual Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend St. Helens Virtual Academy?
St. Helens Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St. Helens Virtual Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at St. Helens Virtual Academy is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does St. Helens Virtual Academy rank in OR?
St. Helens Virtual Academy is ranked #682 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is St. Helens Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
St. Helens Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 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 St. Helens Virtual Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St. Helens Virtual Academy has 16.1% math proficiency and 29.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St. Helens Virtual Academy a charter school?
No, St. Helens Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is St. Helens Virtual Academy a Title I school?
No, St. Helens Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.
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
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 84
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (503) 366-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
St Helens SD 502- District Enrollment
- 2,808
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,419
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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