The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Neil Armstrong Middle School
Neil Armstrong Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in Forest Grove, a city that blends a walkable downtown anchored by Pacific University with commuter access to the Portland metro area. The school is part of the Forest Grove SD 15 district. No magnet or charter status applies, and a Title I designation was not reported in the data provided.
The student body is diverse. Hispanic or Latino students make up the largest share of enrollment, followed by white students, with smaller numbers of students who are two or more races, Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Enrollment data for students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
On the 2024-2025 Oregon state assessments, proficiency rates across tested subjects and grades fall below the county median. In the comparison set of districts in Washington County, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. In English language arts, the share of students meeting proficiency was below the county midpoint in both seventh and eighth grade. Math proficiency rates were lower still, and the eighth grade science proficiency rate also trailed the county median. Only a single year of test data was available, so there is no trend to assess yet. A parent may want to discuss these results with the school to understand the academic supports in place.
No graduation rate applies, as the school does not serve high school grades. No data was reported on chronic absenteeism, staffing, discipline, or course access such as advanced, career, or dual-credit offerings.
The school sits in Forest Grove, a city shaped by its small-town farming history and its transformation into a commuter hub within the Portland region. The downtown core, centered at Main Street and Pacific Avenue, is walkable and lined with locally owned restaurants, breweries, and shops. Pacific University’s 60-acre campus sits at the city’s center, integrated with the commercial district. Housing in Forest Grove varies widely, from Craftsman bungalows and Victorian homes in historic districts to newer subdivisions on the expanding edges of the city. Home values have softened slightly compared to a year ago, while rents have edged up.
The broader employment picture includes advanced manufacturing, Pacific University, a hospital, and proximity to major tech employers in nearby Hillsboro and Beaverton. The city has been adding newer subdivisions, and its population has grown in recent decades through boundary expansions and new construction.
For parents and residents, Neil Armstrong Middle School serves a diverse, lower-income student population in a community that has grown steadily and is reasonably well connected to the Portland job market. Academic proficiency on state tests is lower than what most neighboring districts report, which is a point to explore directly with the school. Because program data was not available, families should ask about what elective, extracurricular, and academic support options exist for this age group.
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