The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Math. The lowest is 30% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Harvey Clarke Elementary School
Harvey Clarke Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Forest Grove, Oregon, and is part of the Forest Grove SD 15 district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet school. Because it serves only early elementary grades, there is no graduation rate and no high school level data to report.
The school’s enrollment is moderate for its grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population, and smaller shares of students who are Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, or of two or more races. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community with significant economic need. Data on the share of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or who are English learners was not available.
On the most recent state assessments, which cover math and English language arts for grades three and four, Harvey Clarke’s proficiency rates fall below the midpoint when compared to other districts within Washington County. In English language arts, about a third of third graders and a similar share of fourth graders met the proficiency bar. In math, about a third of third graders and a similar share of fourth graders were proficient. These results mean that a majority of students at each tested grade level are not yet meeting the state’s standard for their grade. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what academic supports are in place.
Only one year of state testing data was available, so no multi-year trend could be established. The school’s overall proficiency index — a combined measure across tested subjects and grades — is below the median of districts in Washington County. This positions Harvey Clarke on the lower end of the academic performance spectrum relative to its county peers.
Forest Grove itself is a commuter city within the Portland metro area, with a walkable downtown centered on Pacific University. The city has a mix of older Craftsman and Victorian homes in historic districts and newer subdivisions on the outskirts. Housing values are near the state average, and rents are moderate relative to the wider Portland market, making the area more accessible than closer-in suburbs. The city’s population has been growing, partly from boundary expansions and new residential development.
The district did not report any recent major changes such as boundary adjustments, program closures, or bond measures that would directly affect a family’s day-to-day experience at Harvey Clarke. The brief search for parent-relevant changes found basic directory information but did not confirm specific developments with lasting impact.
For families considering Harvey Clarke, the school offers a traditional early elementary program in a community with moderate housing costs and a compact downtown. The academic profile shows room for growth, and the absence of multi-year data and special population counts leaves some questions unanswered. A visit to the school to ask about intervention strategies, early literacy programs, and how the school supports its economically diverse student body would be a reasonable next step.
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