The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Malabon Elementary School
Malabon Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Bethel School District 52 in Eugene, Oregon. It is a neighborhood school in the west Eugene area, drawing its attendance from surrounding residential streets. The school enrolls a student body of moderate size for an elementary school, with enrollment distributed across all six grade levels. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community with significant economic need.
State testing results from Oregon’s statewide assessment show that overall proficiency across math, English language arts, and science is well below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Lane County, placing the school in the bottom quartile on a composite proficiency index. Looking at individual subjects and grades, third-grade math proficiency and third-grade English language arts proficiency are the highest among the school’s grade levels, though still below the state typical. Fourth-grade and fifth-grade math proficiency, as well as fourth-grade and fifth-grade English language arts proficiency, are notably lower. Fifth-grade science proficiency is also low. Because this is a single year of data, no trend is available; the state assessment was recently updated, so direct year-over-year comparisons are not possible. Families evaluating academic performance should know that the school is working from a low baseline on these measures. The school does not serve grades beyond fifth, so there is no high school graduation rate to report.
The student population is racially and ethnically diverse. White students make up the largest share, followed by Hispanic students, then students identifying as two or more races. Smaller groups include Black, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the current profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports offered for these groups.
Malabon Elementary is part of Bethel School District 52, which has made several publicly reported changes in recent years. In November 2024, voters approved a capital bond to fund health, safety, and educational improvements across the district, including school security upgrades, HVAC replacement, roof and siding work, and classroom upgrades. The district reported that the tax rate was estimated not to increase, as the new bond replaces an expiring one. In 2020, a local option levy renewal failed by a very narrow margin, leading to budget reductions that affected programs and staffing, though state school fund grants backfilled part of the shortfall. On the curriculum side, the district adopted new K-5 literacy materials using the American Reading Company framework in 2022, new K-5 math materials using i-Ready Classroom Mathematics in 2022, and a new 6-12 English language arts curriculum in 2023. These are district-wide adoptions that Malabon Elementary has implemented.
The school sits within the city of Eugene, Oregon’s second-largest city and the county seat of Lane County. Eugene is shaped by the presence of the University of Oregon, which is a major employer and cultural anchor. The city is known for its outdoor recreation, including extensive trail networks along the Willamette River and through south hills, a downtown with a performing arts center and farmers market, and a nationally recognized transit system. The housing market in Eugene shows home values well above the national benchmark, and rents are also relatively high, making affordability a challenge for many families. The city’s population has grown modestly in recent years, and development continues near downtown and the university. For families living in west Eugene, the school is part of a larger district that encompasses a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
For a parent or resident considering Malabon Elementary, the picture is straightforward. This is a regular neighborhood elementary school in a district that has invested in facilities and updated its core curriculum, but the school’s academic results on state tests are low compared with Lane County peers. The school serves a high-need population, and families may want to speak with the principal or visit the school to understand what academic interventions, enrichment, and student supports are in place. The city context offers many amenities and outdoor opportunities, though housing costs are steep. The school fits a family looking for a close-to-home elementary option within the Bethel district, with the understanding that the proficiency numbers are an area to probe further.
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