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Needs Improvement

#1182 of 1,226 schools in OR

Valley Inquiry Charter School

Elementary School · Salem-Keizer SD 24J

5774 Hazelgreen Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305

Charter

Enrollment

164

Student-Teacher

41:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#54 of 57

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#680 of 689

In district

#62 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

Equity

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Valley Inquiry Charter School

Valley Inquiry Charter School is a charter elementary school located in Salem, Oregon, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has an enrollment of 164 students and operates with a student-teacher ratio of 41:1, supported by four full-time equivalent teachers. Valley Inquiry focuses on providing a regular public education curriculum within a rural setting near the town.

Academically, Valley Inquiry Charter School ranks in the 31st percentile among Oregon schools, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 5.5 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 49% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, while 40% are proficient in math. The school is working to improve its academic performance and support student development.

Valley Inquiry Charter School sits in a quiet rural area, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere with opportunities for outdoor exploration and learning.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 164 students, Valley Inquiry Charter 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Inquiry Charter School is 41:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Valley Inquiry Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.8%
Math vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio41:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

Valley Inquiry Charter School — Students at Valley Inquiry Charter School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.2%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 48.6%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 6 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
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
26.6%
ELA
41.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.8/10.

How Valley Inquiry Charter School Compares

See how Valley Inquiry Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in OR
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
41:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

5774 Hazelgreen Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Inquiry Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Scott Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yoshikai Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Swegle Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hammond Elementary School Salem 1.1 mi 4.7
Stephens Middle School Salem 1.4 mi 3.5
Yoshikai Elementary School Salem 1.8 mi 5.5
Lamb Elementary School Salem 2.3 mi 4.7
Hayesville Elementary School Salem 2.2 mi 5.1
Chemawa Indian School Salem 2.1 mi
WILLAMETTE VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem 3.0 mi 6.2
Scott Elementary School Salem 3.0 mi 6.2
Early College High School Salem 2.9 mi 8.1
Cesar E Chavez Elementary Salem 3.4 mi 4.5
Hallman Elementary School Salem 3.3 mi 4.5
McKay High School Salem 3.9 mi 2.4
Central Howell Elementary School Silverton 3.2 mi 5.1
Swegle Elementary School Salem 4.2 mi 5.3
LIVINGSTONE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Salem 4.5 mi 7.8
BLANCHET CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salem 4.1 mi 7.8
Kennedy Elementary School Keizer 3.3 mi 4.8
Whiteaker Middle School Keizer 3.4 mi 4.5
Washington Elementary School Salem 4.0 mi 4.0
Gubser Elementary School Keizer 3.5 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,581

Median Home Value

$339,100

Median Rent

$1,386/mo

Population

45,044

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

52.4%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

19.8%

Median Age

31.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Inquiry Charter School has a median household income of $64,581. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,100, with a median rent of $1,386/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Scotts Mills Elementary School Scotts Mills, OR 3.9
Molalla River Academy Molalla, OR 4.0
GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Boring, OR 4.1
SEVEN PEAKS SCHOOL Bend, OR 3.3
Driftwood Elementary School Port Orford, OR 3.2
Warren Elementary School Warren, OR 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Inquiry Charter School

What grades does Valley Inquiry Charter School serve?

Valley Inquiry Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Valley Inquiry Charter School?

Valley Inquiry Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Inquiry Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Inquiry Charter School is 41:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Inquiry Charter School rank in OR?

Valley Inquiry Charter School is ranked #1182 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Valley Inquiry Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Inquiry Charter School has a composite rating of 3.7 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.

What are the test scores at Valley Inquiry Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Inquiry Charter School has 40.2% math proficiency and 48.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valley Inquiry Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Valley Inquiry Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Valley Inquiry Charter School a Title I school?

No, Valley Inquiry Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Inquiry Charter School?

67.1% of students at Valley Inquiry Charter 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
High (3,397/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher Ratio
41:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salem-Keizer SD 24J
District Enrollment
38,818
Schools in District
65
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,770
District Rank
#62 of 65

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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