For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 11,430 students in Polk County, OR (there are 3 private schools, serving 513 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 less than the Oregon public school average of 43% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)
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 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
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-12 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
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: 3-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
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 | 571 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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 | 1,606 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 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 | 948 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
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 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
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 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 1,008 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
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 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
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 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
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 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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 | 716 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
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 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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 less than the Oregon public schools average of 43% (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
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