The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Middle School
Jefferson Middle School serves grades six through eight in the small city of Jefferson, Oregon, a primarily residential community on the east bank of the Santiam River situated between Salem and Albany. The town has a high homeownership rate and a family-oriented character, with a slight population decline in recent years. The school is part of the Jefferson School District, which recently completed a bond project that delivered a new middle school building—built directly beside the high school—along with a six-classroom addition to the elementary school, updated security, a new gym, and an upgraded playground. These investments have permanently reshaped the facilities available to families in the district.
The school itself is small. Its student body is predominantly White, with a substantial Hispanic minority and a small number of students who identify with two or more races. A significant share of students come from low-income households, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. No data was available on the proportion of students with disabilities or those learning English as a second language, so a parent may want to look into this further with the school.
Academically, state assessment results place Jefferson Middle School in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades when compared with other districts in Marion County. Proficient rates in math are very low, especially in seventh and eighth grades, where the share of students meeting the bar is in the single digits. English language arts results are somewhat higher but still well below the county median, and eighth-grade science proficiency also trails typical levels. Only one year of assessment data was available, so it is not possible to see whether these results represent a trend or a single snapshot. Because the school serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline was found.
The peer environment is shaped by the school’s small size and the close-knit nature of the town. Families live in a setting where civic and school facilities are within walking distance, and the district’s recent facilities investments signal a long-term commitment to the physical plant. The housing market in the area is moderate relative to state and national benchmarks, and the town’s family-oriented demographics suggest that many households with children attend these local schools.
A parent considering Jefferson Middle School will find a school that serves a small, rural community with modest academic outcomes. The recent building projects indicate that the district has prioritized facility upgrades. A parent may want to ask the school about the specific supports available for students who are not yet proficient, as well as any programs for students with disabilities or English learners, since those data were not reported here.
See more original research from School Decision →