Average
#717 of 1,226 schools in OR
Talmadge Middle School
Middle School · Central SD 13J
51 16th Street, Independence, OR 97351
Enrollment
732
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
732
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#2 of 3
public schools
Oregon middle schools
#108 of 207
In district
#4 of 5
Central SD 13J
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Talmadge Middle School
Talmadge Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Independence, Oregon, within Polk County. With an enrollment of 732 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse student body. Talmadge has 39 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support students as they navigate their middle school years.
The academic performance at Talmadge Middle School shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.2 out of 10. State rankings place the school at #864 out of 1231 schools in Oregon, putting it around the 30th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math.
Talmadge Middle School is situated on the edge of an urban area, providing a setting that balances the benefits of both town and city life. The school serves as a central hub for community engagement and support in Independence.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Talmadge Middle School — Students at Talmadge Middle School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 7.4/10.
How Talmadge Middle School Compares
See how Talmadge Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 16.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 33.4% (2025).
Location
51 16th Street, Independence, OR 97351
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Talmadge Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LaCreole Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Dallas), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Crossler Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Salem), a more accessible option. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central High School Independence | 0.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Ash Creek Elementary School Monmouth | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| MONMOUTH MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Monmouth | 0.7 mi | — |
| Monmouth Elementary School Monmouth | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Elementary School Independence | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dallas | 5.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Whitworth Elementary School Dallas | 6.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Dallas High School Dallas | 6.2 mi | 2.6 |
| LaCreole Middle School Dallas | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Dallas Community Charter Dallas | 7.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Lyle Elementary School Dallas | 7.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Sprague High School Salem | 6.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Schirle Elementary School Salem | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakdale Heights Elementary School Dallas | 7.5 mi | 8.8 |
| BUD TO BLOSSOM CHILDREN'S SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Salem | 7.2 mi | — |
| Crossler Middle School Salem | 7.3 mi | 4.9 |
| SILVERLEAF SCHOOL Salem | 7.6 mi | — |
| Liberty Elementary School Salem | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Myers Elementary School Salem | 9.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Candalaria Elementary School Salem | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97351 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,717
Median Home Value
$357,700
Median Rent
$1,592/mo
Population
11,384
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
62.4%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
32.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Talmadge Middle School has a median household income of $84,717. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,700, with a median rent of $1,592/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Mountain View Middle School Newberg, OR | 6.0 |
| Ponderosa Middle School Klamath Falls, OR | 6.0 |
| The Dalles Middle School The Dalles, OR | 6.0 |
| Elton Gregory Middle School Redmond, OR | 5.9 |
| Tumwata Middle School Oregon City, OR | 6.1 |
| Pilot Butte Middle School Bend, OR | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Talmadge Middle School
What grades does Talmadge Middle School serve?
Talmadge Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Talmadge Middle School?
Talmadge Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 732 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Talmadge Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Talmadge Middle School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Talmadge Middle School rank in OR?
Talmadge Middle School is ranked #717 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Talmadge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Talmadge Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Talmadge Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Talmadge Middle School has 17.4% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Talmadge Middle School a charter school?
No, Talmadge Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Talmadge Middle School a Title I school?
No, Talmadge Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Talmadge Middle School?
67.8% of students at Talmadge 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,277/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 732
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (503) 606-2252
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central SD 13J- District Enrollment
- 3,072
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,990
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
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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