The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cesar Chavez Elementary School
Cesar Chavez Elementary School is a regular public school in Eugene, Oregon, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Eugene School District 4J. The school is located on the west side of the city, in a mixed residential area. The building is open and operating as a neighborhood school.
The student body is predominantly white, with a large Hispanic population making up the next largest group. A much smaller number of students identify as two or more races, and very small enrollments of Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students round out the demographic picture. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a community with notable economic need.
On the 2024-25 Oregon state assessments, Cesar Chavez posted proficiency rates that are below the typical range for the county. The school’s overall proficiency rate across all tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile among the county’s districts. In math, proficiency rates in third, fourth, and fifth grade were all low. In English language arts, the picture is more varied. The third-grade proficiency rate was low. Fourth grade showed a higher proficiency rate than third. Fifth grade proficiency in English language arts was the strongest of any tested subject or grade. In fifth-grade science, the proficiency rate was low. Because only one year of state assessment data is available for this school, there is no trend to examine; the results are a single snapshot. A parent reviewing these results may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not meeting benchmarks and what academic interventions are in place.
The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, and staffing were not available. Information on the number of students with disabilities and English learners was also missing. These are common gaps at the school level, but a parent may wish to ask the school directly about its programs and supports for those populations.
This is a neighborhood school in a district that has recently made several changes. In the 2024-25 school year, the district implemented a new K-5 English language arts curriculum that is based on the science of reading, replacing the previous program. This shift affects every elementary school, including Cesar Chavez. The district also moved all middle schools to a six-period day starting in the 2023-24 school year, but this does not directly affect an elementary school. One elementary school in the district, Corridor Elementary, was closed at the end of the 2023-24 school year due to declining enrollment, and the district has indicated that further boundary reviews may be needed. In 2024, voters approved a construction bond that will fund major projects, including a full rebuild of South Eugene High School and renovations at other schools. Those resources are not specifically tied to Cesar Chavez, but they speak to the district’s overall capital investment strategy.
The housing market in the area is expensive relative to national averages. Home values have been rising, and rents are also moving upward. The local unemployment rate has been relatively low, and median household income has been stable. For a family considering moving into the attendance area, affordability is an important factor.
The school sits in Eugene, an established city that is the second-largest in Oregon. The University of Oregon is a dominant presence in the local economy and culture. The city is known for its network of parks and trails, its walkable downtown core, and its reputation as a hub for outdoor recreation and the arts. Major employers include the university, the local health system, and county government. The city’s population has been growing at a modest pace.
This is a school with a high level of economic need and academic proficiency rates that are low compared to other schools in Lane County. A parent considering Cesar Chavez should look into what academic support systems are in place, how the school is using the new district literacy curriculum, and what resources are available for students who are struggling. It is a neighborhood elementary school in a district with shifting enrollment patterns and a new pedagogical direction in reading instruction.
See more original research from School Decision →