For the 2025 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 11,430 students in Polk County, OR (there are 4 private schools, serving 471 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Polk County, OR are educated in public schools (compared to the OR state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, OR are Kalapuya Elementary School, Falls City High School and Brush College Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, OR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Oregon public school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 44% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Oregon public schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Oregon public school average of 42% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Polk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kalapuya Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2085 Wilmington Ave Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-2110
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-2110
Gr: K-5 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Falls City High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
111 N Main St
Falls City, OR 97344
(503) 787-3521
Falls City, OR 97344
(503) 787-3521
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Brush College Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2623 Doaks Ferry Rd Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3132
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3132
Gr: K-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Chapman Hill Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1500 Doaks Ferry Rd Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3195
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3195
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Myers Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2160 Jewel St Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3175
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3175
Gr: K-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #66.
Straub Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1920 Wilmington Ave Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-2030
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-2030
Gr: 6-8 | 571 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Dallas Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
788 Sw Birch St
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 420-4360
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 420-4360
Gr: K-11 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Whitworth Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1151 Se Miller Ave
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8351
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8351
Gr: 4-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #99.
Monmouth Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
958 E Church St
Monmouth, OR 97361
(503) 838-1433
Monmouth, OR 97361
(503) 838-1433
Gr: K-5 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1010.
Walker Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1075 8th St Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3220
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3220
Gr: 6-8 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1111.
West Salem High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1776 Titan Way
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-5533
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-5533
Gr: 9-12 | 1,666 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1212.
Dallas High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1250 Holman Ave
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8336
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8336
Gr: 9-12 | 856 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1313.
Luckiamute Valley Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
12975 Kings Valley Hwy
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-4837
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-4837
Gr: K-8 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1414.
Oakdale Heights Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1375 Sw Maple St
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8316
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8316
Gr: K-3 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1515.
Central High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1530 Monmouth St
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-0480
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-0480
Gr: 9-12 | 1,014 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1616.
Ash Creek Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1360 N 16th St
Monmouth, OR 97361
(503) 606-9016
Monmouth, OR 97361
(503) 606-9016
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1717.
Lacreole Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
701 Se Lacreole Dr
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-6662
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-6662
Gr: 6-8 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1818.
Harritt Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2112 Linwood St Nw
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3457
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3457
Gr: K-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1919.
Lyle Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
185 Sw Levens St
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8367
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8367
Gr: K-3 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2020.
Hayesville Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4545 Ward Dr Ne
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3153
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 399-3153
Gr: K-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2121.
Talmadge Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
51 16th Street
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 606-2252
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 606-2252
Gr: 6-8 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2222.
Independence Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
150 S 4th St
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-1322
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-1322
Gr: K-5 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2323.
Falls City Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
177 Prospect Ave
Falls City, OR 97344
(503) 787-3521
Falls City, OR 97344
(503) 787-3521
Gr: K-8 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Po Box 160
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-4837
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-4837
Gr: K-5 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
750 5th St
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-1828
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-1828
Gr: K-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Morrison Campus Alternative Program High School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1251 Main St
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8480
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-8480
Gr: 10-12 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
2700 Oak Grove Rd
Rickreall, OR 97371
(503) 362-3345
Rickreall, OR 97371
(503) 362-3345
Gr: K-4 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Polk Adolscent Dtc High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
2200 E Ellendale St
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-5588
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 623-5588
Gr: PK-12 | 13 students
Poyama Land (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
460 Greenwood Rd
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-6431
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 838-6431
Gr: Inquire with school | 20 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Po Box 10
Rickreall, OR 97371
(503) 623-3661
Rickreall, OR 97371
(503) 623-3661
Gr: K-5 | 58 students Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Polk County, OR?
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, OR include Kalapuya Elementary School, Falls City High School and Brush College Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
23 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the OR state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Oregon public schools average of 42% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Polk County include: Independence Elementary School vs. Ash Creek Elementary School, Dallas High School vs. Central High School, Central High School vs. Dallas High School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
