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Average

#575 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 47% in state

Vernonia Elementary School

Elementary School · Vernonia SD 47J

1000 Missouri Ave, Vernonia, OR 97064

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Vernonia

#2 of 3

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#397 of 689

In district

#3 of 4

Vernonia SD 47J

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Vernonia Elementary School

Vernonia Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Vernonia, Oregon. With an enrollment of 223 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, the school provides a relatively small class setting, allowing teachers to give individual attention to each child. The school’s dedicated team of 15 full-time equivalent teachers focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.

Vernonia Elementary School's academic performance places it in the 29th percentile among Oregon schools, with room for improvement as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating and academic score. In recent state assessments, 29% of students were proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 16% reached proficiency in math. Despite these challenges, Vernonia Elementary School continues to prioritize student development and growth.

Vernonia is a rural community with a close-knit atmosphere where residents often know each other well. The school plays an important role in the local community by offering educational support and activities for its students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Vernonia Elementary School 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.

Located in a rural area, Vernonia Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.6%
Math vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,125

Vernonia Elementary School — Students at Vernonia Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 29.4%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 8 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
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
16%
ELA
28.6%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Vernonia Elementary School Compares

See how Vernonia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
53th percentile in OR
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

1000 Missouri Ave, Vernonia, OR 97064

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vernonia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mist Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Mist), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clatskanie Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Clatskanie), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Banks Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Banks), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Vernonia, see our Vernonia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Vernonia High School Vernonia 0.0 mi 5.0
Vernonia Middle School Vernonia 0.0 mi 7.5
Mist Elementary School Mist 10.3 mi 9.6
Clatskanie Elementary School Clatskanie 16.5 mi 7.7
Clatskanie Middle/High School Clatskanie 16.7 mi 7.4
Banks High School Banks 17.3 mi 3.3
Banks Middle School Banks 17.3 mi 4.0
Banks Elementary School Banks 17.5 mi 7.3
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Banks 19.0 mi 5.6
St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens 14.0 mi 6.5
Rainier Jr/Sr High School Rainier 18.4 mi 7.3
Hudson Park Elementary School Rainier 18.4 mi 5.0
North Plains Elementary School North Plains 19.7 mi 6.4
SCAPPOOSE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Scappoose 15.5 mi 4.5
Scappoose Middle School Scappoose 16.2 mi 6.3
Scappoose Online Academy Scappoose 16.4 mi 5.6
Otto Petersen Elementary School Scappoose 16.5 mi 7.4
Scappoose High School Scappoose 16.6 mi 4.6
Grant Watts Elementary School Scappoose 16.6 mi 7.2
Jewell School Seaside 16.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,125

Median Home Value

$360,100

Median Rent

$1,213/mo

Population

3,730

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

82.7%

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vernonia Elementary School has a median household income of $78,125. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,100, with a median rent of $1,213/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aiken Elementary School Ontario, OR 6.6
Clarkes Elementary School Mulino, OR 6.6
Patrick Elementary School Gold Hill, OR 6.6
Bush Elementary School Salem, OR 6.5
CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland, OR 6.5
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukie, OR 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vernonia Elementary School

What grades does Vernonia Elementary School serve?

Vernonia Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Vernonia Elementary School?

Vernonia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vernonia Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vernonia Elementary School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vernonia Elementary School rank in OR?

Vernonia Elementary School is ranked #575 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Vernonia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vernonia Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Vernonia Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vernonia Elementary School has 16.3% math proficiency and 29.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vernonia Elementary School a charter school?

No, Vernonia Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vernonia Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Vernonia Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vernonia Elementary School?

61.4% of students at Vernonia Elementary 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

County Safety
Low (243/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Columbia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Vernonia SD 47J
District Enrollment
578
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,393
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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