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Very Good

#30 of 186 private schools in OR

Top 16% of private schools

Swallowtail School

Elementary School

460 S HEATHER ST, Cornelius, OR 97113

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on OR statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

135

Student-Teacher

8.7:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Oregon elementary schools

#14 of 111

About Swallowtail School

Swallowtail School serves 135 students from prekindergarten through seventh grade in Cornelius, Oregon, offering a smaller learning environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.7 to 1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public elementary school provides personalized attention that can make a meaningful difference in each child's educational journey. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #84 out of 186 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 55th percentile among Oregon schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its intimate educational setting. Located on South Heather Street, Swallowtail School serves families in a community where the median household income is $85,644 and the poverty rate sits at 9.7%. The surrounding ZIP code of 97113 is home to nearly 15,000 residents, with 17% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values of $396,600.

The school's small size allows for strong relationships between teachers, students, and families, creating a close-knit educational community. Swallowtail School operates within Cornelius's large suburban setting, providing students with both the benefits of a tight-knit school environment and access to the resources of a growing suburban community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 135 students, Swallowtail School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, Swallowtail School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Swallowtail School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$19,113
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$21,175
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.11x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
84%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$4.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 135 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Swallowtail School compares to the 3 public schools in Cornelius, OR

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.7:1
This School
vs
16.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
135
This School
vs
384
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.7
This School
vs
5.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 72.6% vs 0%
Asian 14.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 10.4% vs 0%
Black 2.2% vs 0%
Swallowtail School Cornelius Public Avg

All Schools in Cornelius

School Rating
Swallowtail School (this school) 7.7
Echo Shaw Elementary School 4.2
Cornelius Elementary School 7.0
Free Orchards Elementary School 3.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in OR.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,190
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 44%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 135
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in OR

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 72.6%
Asian 14.1%
Hispanic 10.4%
Black 2.2%
Pacific Islander 0.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

460 S HEATHER ST, Cornelius, OR 97113

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swallowtail School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paul L Patterson Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Hillsboro), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Hillsboro), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Forest Grove), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cornelius, see our Cornelius schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Echo Shaw Elementary School Cornelius 0.2 mi 4.2
Fern Hill Elementary School Forest Grove 0.3 mi 7.1
Neil Armstrong Middle School Forest Grove 0.5 mi 4.5
Cornelius Elementary School Cornelius 0.7 mi 7.0
Free Orchards Elementary School Cornelius 1.2 mi 3.8
Joseph Gale Elementary School Forest Grove 1.3 mi 6.5
CREATE Forest Grove 1.7 mi
EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY AT PACIFIC UNIVERSITY Forest Grove 2.1 mi 6.2
Forest Grove Community School Forest Grove 2.3 mi 5.1
Harvey Clarke Elementary School Forest Grove 2.6 mi 4.1
Forest Grove High School Forest Grove 3.0 mi 6.5
Tom McCall Upper Elementary Forest Grove 3.0 mi 5.1
Dilley Elementary School Forest Grove 3.4 mi 6.8
W Verne McKinney Elementary School Hillsboro 3.6 mi 6.4
Glencoe High School Hillsboro 4.0 mi 6.1
ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hillsboro 3.8 mi 7.2
Paul L Patterson Elementary School Hillsboro 4.1 mi 7.4
Hillsboro Online Academy Hillsboro 4.0 mi 4.0
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Banks 5.6 mi 5.6
Evergreen Jr High School Hillsboro 4.5 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,131

Median Home Value

$434,100

Median Rent

$1,457/mo

Population

15,621

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

74.1%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Swallowtail School has a median household income of $93,131. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $434,100, with a median rent of $1,457/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Desert Sky Montessori Bend, OR 7.7
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bend, OR 7.7
Applegate Elementary School Applegate, OR 7.8
Arthur Academy Portland, OR 7.8
Condon Elementary School Condon, OR 7.8
GOODTIME CHINESE SCHOOL Portland, OR 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swallowtail School

What grades does Swallowtail School serve?

Swallowtail School serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Swallowtail School?

Swallowtail School has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swallowtail School?

The student-teacher ratio at Swallowtail School is 8.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Swallowtail School rank in OR?

Swallowtail School is ranked #30 out of 186 private schools in OR.

What is Swallowtail School's MySchoolScout rating?

Swallowtail School has a composite rating of 7.7 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.

Is Swallowtail School a private school?

Yes, Swallowtail School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Swallowtail School a religious school?

No, Swallowtail School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,950/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
135
Gender Split
43% M / 57% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
WASHINGTON
Data Year
2022–2023

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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