For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public elementary schools serving 4,047 students in Columbia County, OR.
The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Oregon public elementary school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 44% statewide average). Elementary schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Oregon public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Oregon public elementary school average of 42% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary 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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia County, OR?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia County, OR include South Columbia Family School, Grant Watts Elementary School and Scappoose Online Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in Columbia County?
16 public elementary schools are located in Columbia County.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Oregon public elementary schools average of 42% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Columbia County include: Lewis & Clark Elementary School vs. Mcbride Elementary School, Clatskanie Elementary School vs. Hudson Park Elementary School, Hudson Park Elementary School vs. Clatskanie Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.