The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in English language arts. The lowest is 25% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lacreole Middle School
LaCreole Middle School, a regular public school serving grades six through eight, is the sole middle school in the Dallas School District and sits within the county seat of Polk County. The city of Dallas itself is a mid-sized town with a mix of residential neighborhoods and a compact downtown civic core anchored by the county courthouse and city hall. Historically built around the timber industry, the town saw the closure of a major mill a few years ago and is now actively recruiting new employers, offering available industrial sites and streamlined permitting. For families moving to the area, housing costs in Dallas are below the Oregon average but above the national median, and rent is relatively affordable compared with the cost of buying a home. The school is part of the Salem metropolitan area, about a half-hour drive west of the state capital.
The student body at LaCreole is predominantly white, with a noticeable Hispanic population and very small shares of other racial and ethnic groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is above the statewide average for middle schools and signals that the school serves a community with a mix of income levels. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of special education and language support services offered.
Academically, LaCreole’s overall proficiency across tested subjects places it among the top performers when compared with other districts in Polk County, a set of four districts. English language arts proficiency is the strongest area, with roughly half of students meeting the state standard across all grade levels. Math and science proficiency are notably lower; about a quarter of students are proficient in math and a similar share in eighth-grade science. This pattern, with ELA ahead of math, mirrors statewide trends but with a larger gap than some schools see. For a family considering this school, it is worth understanding how the school supports students who are below grade level in math and science, since those subjects represent the clearer challenge.
The school is a standard regular public school with no charter or magnet designation, and state assessment data is available for a single recent year, so trends over time are not yet established. Discipline, attendance, and staffing data were also not provided in the available records. Since LaCreole is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to consider, and course access information such as the availability of advanced or elective offerings was not included.
For a family evaluating LaCreole, the school presents a solid middle-tier academic profile within a community that is transitioning its economic base. The peer environment is relatively homogenous racially, with a moderate share of students from lower-income households. The housing market in Dallas is more accessible than much of Oregon, which may be a practical factor for relocating families. Parents who place a premium on strong ELA outcomes relative to math may find the school’s literacy work reassuring, while those concerned about math and science achievement will want to learn about intervention and enrichment programs directly from the school. Without data on special populations or staffing, asking about class sizes and support structures would be a natural next step.
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