For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 6,790 students in Columbia County, OR (there are 3 private schools, serving 204 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, OR are educated in public schools (compared to the OR state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, OR are South Columbia Family School, Grant Watts Elementary School and Scappoose Online Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, OR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Oregon public school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 44% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Oregon public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Oregon public school average of 43% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
South Columbia Family School
Charter School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
34555 Berg Rd
Scappoose, OR 97056
(503) 366-9009
Scappoose, OR 97056
(503) 366-9009
Gr: K-8 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Grant Watts Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
52000 Se Third Pl
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8002
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8002
Gr: 1-3 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Scappoose Online Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
33589 High School Way
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8000
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8000
Gr: K-12 | 50 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Mist Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
69163 Hwy 47
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 755-2486
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 755-2486
Gr: K-5 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
St. Helens Virtual Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
470 N 16th St
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7200
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7200
Gr: K-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Clatskanie Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
815 S Nehalem St
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 728-2191
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 728-2191
Gr: K-6 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
Lewis & Clark Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
111 S 9th St
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7603
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7603
Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Clatskanie Middle/high School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
471 Sw Bel Air Dr
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 728-2146
Clatskanie, OR 97016
(503) 728-2146
Gr: 7-12 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
St. Helens Arthur Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
33035 Pittsburg Rd
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7030
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7030
Gr: K-5 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1010.
Scappoose Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
52265 Columbia River Hwy
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8004
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8004
Gr: 7-8 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Plymouth High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
470 N 16th St
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7200
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1212.
Otto Petersen Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
52050 Se 3rd St
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8003
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8003
Gr: 4-6 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1313.
Warren Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
34555 Berg Rd
Warren, OR 97053
(503) 397-2959
Warren, OR 97053
(503) 397-2959
Gr: K | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1414.
Rainier Jr/sr High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
28170 Old Rainier Rd
Rainier, OR 97048
(503) 556-4215
Rainier, OR 97048
(503) 556-4215
Gr: 7-12 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1515.
Vernonia High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Missouri Ave
Vernonia, OR 97064
(503) 429-1333
Vernonia, OR 97064
(503) 429-1333
Gr: 9-12 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1616.
Mcbride Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2774 Columbia Blvd
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7700
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7700
Gr: K-5 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1717.
Hudson Park Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
28176 Old Rainier Rd
Rainier, OR 97048
(503) 556-0196
Rainier, OR 97048
(503) 556-0196
Gr: K-6 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1818.
St. Helens Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
354 N 15th St
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7300
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 366-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1919.
Columbia City School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2000 Second St
Columbia City, OR 97018
(503) 366-7550
Columbia City, OR 97018
(503) 366-7550
Gr: K-5 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2020.
Vernonia Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Missouri Ave
Vernonia, OR 97064
(503) 429-1333
Vernonia, OR 97064
(503) 429-1333
Gr: 6-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
St. Helens High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2375 Gable Rd
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 397-1900
Saint Helens, OR 97051
(503) 397-1900
Gr: 9-12 | 823 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Vernonia Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Missouri Ave
Vernonia, OR 97064
(503) 429-1333
Vernonia, OR 97064
(503) 429-1333
Gr: K-5 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2323.
Scappoose High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
33700 Se High School Way
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8005
Scappoose, OR 97056
(971) 200-8005
Gr: 9-12 | 709 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, OR?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, OR include South Columbia Family School, Grant Watts Elementary School and Scappoose Online Academy.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
23 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the OR state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Oregon public schools average of 43% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia County include: Scappoose Middle School vs. St. Helens Middle School, Scappoose High School vs. St. Helens High School, Grant Watts Elementary School vs. Warren Elementary School
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
