Skip to main content

Very Good

#367 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 30% in state

Welches Middle School

Middle School · Oregon Trail SD 46

PO Box 547, Sandy, OR 97055

Enrollment

76

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sandy

#4 of 10

public schools

Oregon middle schools

#40 of 207

In district

#4 of 10

Oregon Trail SD 46

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Welches Middle School

Welches Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Sandy, Oregon, a rural community in Clackamas County. With an enrollment of 76 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, the school provides a smaller, more intimate learning environment than many urban alternatives. The school's four full-time equivalent teachers work to support student development across the curriculum.

Academically, Welches Middle School ranks in the 75th percentile statewide, placing it at #306 out of 1231 Oregon schools. The school's overall MySchoolScout Rating is 7.1/10, with an academic score of 8.1/10. In English language arts and reading, 62% of students score proficient or above on assessments.

Mathematics shows room for growth, with 34% of students achieving proficiency or above—an area where the school is likely focusing additional support and instructional strategies. The rural setting of Sandy creates a distinctive community character, where smaller class sizes and close-knit school environments can foster meaningful relationships between students and staff. For families in this area seeking a middle school option, Welches offers a neighborhood school experience with solid state-level performance metrics and a foundation for student success.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 76 students, Welches Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Welches Middle 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 Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.6%
Math vs. State Avg+1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.6 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,377

Welches Middle School — Students at Welches Middle School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 61.5%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
32.8%
ELA
65.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Welches Middle School Compares

See how Welches Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
70th percentile in OR
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 547, Sandy, OR 97055

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Welches Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Canyon Creek Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Washougal), a more accessible option. Another option is Cedar Ridge Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 16.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Estacada Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Estacada), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sandy, see our Sandy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Welches Elementary School Sandy 0.1 mi 8.6
WY EAST MOUNTAIN ACADEMY Sandy 5.5 mi 3.8
Firwood Elementary School Sandy 13.4 mi 7.0
Skamania Elementary Skamania 19.5 mi 5.6
Sandy Grade School Sandy 15.7 mi 8.0
Cedar Ridge Middle School Sandy 16.1 mi 4.5
Cascade Locks School Cascade Locks 22.5 mi 8.7
Sandy High School Sandy 16.6 mi 2.5
Mount Pleasant School Washougal 20.5 mi 9.3
Stevenson Elementary Stevenson 24.5 mi 7.7
Preschool Stevenson 24.5 mi
Oregon Trail Academy Sandy 18.2 mi 6.9
Stevenson High School Stevenson 24.9 mi 6.4
Kelso Elementary School Sandy 18.2 mi 6.5
Estacada High School Estacada 18.9 mi 5.7
Estacada Middle School Estacada 19.0 mi 3.9
Clackamas River Elementary School Estacada 19.0 mi 7.1
River Mill Elementary School Estacada 19.0 mi 6.4
Cape Horn Skye Elementary Washougal 23.0 mi 4.2
Canyon Creek Middle School Washougal 23.0 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97055 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,696

Median Home Value

$472,900

Median Rent

$1,573/mo

Population

20,131

College Educated

26.4%

Homeownership

82.9%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Welches Middle School has a median household income of $105,696. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $472,900, with a median rent of $1,573/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
ST ANDREW NATIVITY SCHOOL Portland, OR 7.7
Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School Salem, OR 6.4
Oakridge Junior High School Oakridge, OR 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Welches Middle School

What grades does Welches Middle School serve?

Welches Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Welches Middle School?

Welches Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 76 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Welches Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Welches Middle School is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Welches Middle School rank in OR?

Welches Middle School is ranked #367 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Welches Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Welches Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Welches Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Welches Middle School has 33.9% math proficiency and 61.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Welches Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Welches Middle School a Title I school?

No, Welches Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Welches Middle School?

52.6% of students at Welches 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,580/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
76
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clackamas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oregon Trail SD 46
District Enrollment
4,316
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,105
District Rank
#4 of 10

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.