Polk County Schools & Education
Polk County, Oregon
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
43/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
85.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
85.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,799
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,886
School Score
43/100
Higher = better
State avg 41/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#17
of 36 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Polk County
School Verdict
Polk County performs at an average level with a school score of 43/100 and a solid graduation rate of 85.4%.
Funding Context
At $7,799 per pupil, Polk County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Polk County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% above the Oregon average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Polk County, Oregon
Solid Infrastructure for Over 11,000 Students
Polk County operates 24 public schools across four districts, providing a comprehensive education for 11,506 students. The landscape features 13 elementary schools alongside four middle and four high school campuses.
Steady Growth in Graduation Success
The county's graduation rate of 85.4% is higher than the state average of 82.3%, though it remains slightly below the national 87% mark. Schools operate with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,799, which is nearly identical to the Oregon state average.
Central and Dallas Districts Lead the Way
Central SD 13J is the largest provider with 3,188 students, followed closely by Dallas SD 2 with 2,968 students. The county also offers variety through three charter schools, which account for 12.5% of all local public schools.
Balanced Mix of City and Town Settings
The county features a healthy mix of 10 town schools, eight city schools, and six rural campuses. Average school size is exactly 500 students, ranging from the large West Salem High with 1,733 students down to smaller rural outposts.
Family Living in Mid-Sized School Communities
Prospective residents often look to the Dallas and Central districts for a balance of modern facilities and community-focused learning. These districts offer stable graduation rates that appeal to long-term homeowners.
School Overview
Total Schools
24
in Polk County
Total Enrollment
11,506
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
3
13% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Polk County
Central SD 13J
Dallas SD 2
Perrydale SD 21
Falls City SD 57
24 Public Schools in Polk County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Salem High School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | 9–12 | High | 1,733 |
| Central High School | Central SD 13J | 9–12 | High | 1,100 |
| Dallas High School | Dallas SD 2 | 9–12 | High | 836 |
| Talmadge Middle School | Central SD 13J | 6–8 | Middle | 740 |
| LaCreole Middle School | Dallas SD 2 | 6–8 | Middle | 586 |
| Straub Middle School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | 6–8 | Middle | 561 |
| Walker Middle School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | 6–8 | Middle | 556 |
| Kalapuya Elementary School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | KG–5 | Primary | 512 |
| Monmouth Elementary School | Central SD 13J | KG–5 | Primary | 490 |
| Ash Creek Elementary School | Central SD 13J | KG–5 | Primary | 473 |
| Harritt Elementary School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | KG–5 | Primary | 469 |
| Independence Elementary School | Central SD 13J | KG–5 | Primary | 385 |
| Whitworth Elementary School | Dallas SD 2 | 4–5 | Primary | 383 |
| Chapman Hill Elementary School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | KG–5 | Primary | 369 |
| Oakdale Heights Elementary School | Dallas SD 2 | KG–3 | Primary | 353 |
| Myers Elementary School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | KG–5 | Primary | 344 |
| Lyle Elementary School | Dallas SD 2 | KG–3 | Primary | 326 |
| Perrydale School | Perrydale SD 21 | KG–12 | Other | 318 |
| Brush College Elementary School | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | KG–5 | Primary | 307 |
| Dallas Community Charter | Dallas SD 2 | KG–10 | Charter | 257 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,799
State avg $7,886
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Polk County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Polk County?
How much does Polk County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Polk County, Oregon — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Polk County, Oregon?
Polk County operates 24 public schools across four districts, providing a comprehensive education for 11,506 students. The landscape features 13 elementary schools alongside four middle and four high school campuses.
How do schools in Polk County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 85.4% is higher than the state average of 82.3%, though it remains slightly below the national 87% mark. Schools operate with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,799, which is nearly identical to the Oregon state average.
What are the major school districts in Polk County, Oregon?
Central SD 13J is the largest provider with 3,188 students, followed closely by Dallas SD 2 with 2,968 students. The county also offers variety through three charter schools, which account for 12.5% of all local public schools.
What is the school experience like in Polk County?
The county features a healthy mix of 10 town schools, eight city schools, and six rural campuses. Average school size is exactly 500 students, ranging from the large West Salem High with 1,733 students down to smaller rural outposts.
How can I find homes near good schools in Polk County, Oregon?
Prospective residents often look to the Dallas and Central districts for a balance of modern facilities and community-focused learning. These districts offer stable graduation rates that appeal to long-term homeowners.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.