The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Talmadge Middle School
Talmadge Middle School is a regular public middle school serving grades six through eight in Independence, Oregon, part of the Central School District 13J. The school sits in the Willamette Valley, and Independence itself is a small city with a walkable downtown featuring Main Street shops and restaurants, as publicly reported.
The school enrolls a sizable student body for a middle school grade band. The demographics show a student population that is roughly evenly split between students who identify as Hispanic or Latino and students who identify as white, with smaller shares identifying as two or more races or other backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which is an indicator of the economic context families bring to the school. Enrollment across the three grades is fairly balanced.
State assessment data from the 2024-2025 school year provides the primary picture of academic performance. On Oregon’s state tests, proficiency rates in mathematics were modest across all three grade levels. In English language arts, a somewhat larger proportion of students met the state standard, but the overall level was similar in magnitude. Science results, available only for eighth graders, followed a comparable pattern. When placed among Polk County districts, Talmadge Middle School’s overall proficiency across tested subjects ranked below the midpoint of the four districts in the county. Because only a single year of data was available, no trend can be established to see whether performance is improving or declining.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Information on special populations such as students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data provided. Similarly, data on discipline, chronic absenteeism, and staffing were not present, so those aspects of the school environment cannot be characterized here.
Housing in the Independence area is priced moderately relative to the broader Oregon market. Rents are such that renting is more affordable than buying a home in the current market, with home values sitting slightly above the national typical figure but below the Oregon typical figure. The economic context nationally shows a moderate mortgage rate and a stable unemployment rate, which shapes the broader setting families navigate.
No program offerings were listed for Talmadge Middle School in the available data, so it is not possible to describe elective pathways, career and technical education, or advanced coursework options. A parent looking for such specifics would need to consult the school’s website or district office directly.
Overall, Talmadge Middle School presents as a solidly middle-sized school serving a diverse and economically mixed student body. Its state test results are lower than the midpoint of Polk County districts, a fact that families may wish to discuss with school leadership to understand the instructional approaches and supports in place. The school’s setting in Independence offers a walkable downtown, and the
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