The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elementary School
Washington Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Medford, Oregon, as part of the Medford School District. It is a regular public, non-charter school. The school is located in a residential area of southern Medford, a city that functions as the county seat of Jackson County and the primary retail, healthcare, and government center for the Rogue Valley and parts of northern California. Medford has a historic downtown core along Bear Creek and extensive suburban retail and residential development, with a mix of medical centers, corporate headquarters such as Harry & David and Lithia Motors, and a significant retirement and senior services economy.
The academic picture for Washington Elementary, based on the most recent state assessments in 2024-2025, shows low proficiency rates across tested subjects. In mathematics, proficiency rates in grades three, four, and five were in the low double digits to single digits. In English language arts, grade-level proficiency was also low, though fourth grade posted a higher rate than the other grades. In science, only fifth grade is tested, and the proficiency rate was similarly low. Compared with other schools in Jackson County, Washington Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile. This is a school where a large share of students are not meeting state benchmarks; a parent considering the school will want to look into what academic supports and interventions are in place and how the school addresses these challenges.
Enrollment totals about two hundred sixty students, a small elementary school. The student body is majority White, with a substantial Hispanic population, and smaller numbers of Black, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. Just over six in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a significant majority of families are in lower-income categories. Data on the share of students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and English learner status was not available for this report.
The school is in the Medford School District, which in May 2022 voters approved a bond for safety and security upgrades, classroom additions, and technology improvements across the district, structured to replace expiring levy debt and keep the property tax rate stable. The district also recently adopted stricter cell phone policies for middle and high school students, though that policy does not directly affect the elementary grades.
Medford’s housing market, based on recent estimates, shows home values and rents that are higher than national averages but somewhat below the Oregon state benchmark. The city has experienced historical growth as a regional hub, and the broader area includes agricultural and wine industry activity. The Bear Creek Greenway, a multi-use trail, connects Medford to neighboring communities, and the city has a mix of walkable downtown areas and auto-oriented suburban corridors.
Washington Elementary is a small neighborhood school with a high-poverty student body and academic results that are significantly below county and state norms. The district has recent investments in facilities and safety, and the surrounding community offers a full range of services, employment, and recreation. Parents considering the school will likely want to discuss directly with the school what academic interventions, tutoring, or enrichment are offered, and how the school supports students who are behind grade level.
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