The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hedrick Middle School
Hedrick Middle School sits in Medford, the Jackson County seat and the commercial and medical hub of the Rogue Valley. The school serves grades six through eight as a regular public school within Medford SD 549C, drawing from neighborhoods across a city that blends a historic downtown core with suburban-style residential and retail development along Interstate 5 and major highways. Medford’s economy is anchored by two large medical centers, the headquarters of Harry & David and Lithia Motors, and a growing wine and cannabis agriculture sector, and the city’s role as a retirement destination adds to its mix of residents.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and smaller numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. A significant majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing Hedrick in a higher-poverty context among the district’s middle schools. This economic profile matters when looking at academic results.
On the state assessments administered in the 2024-2025 school year, Hedrick’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the top quartile relative to districts in Jackson County. That is a notable achievement given the school’s poverty level. The pattern across grade levels is uneven. In math, proficiency rises from a lower rate in sixth grade to a stronger rate in eighth grade. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: eighth-grade students perform considerably better than seventh-grade students. Science, tested only in eighth grade, shows a proficiency rate that lands between the ELA and math outcomes for that grade. The school’s composite proficiency index of roughly 0.38 is well above the county median of about 0.289, though it remains below the top-performing schools in the county. Parents should be aware that this is a single year of data, and without a multi-year trend it is not possible to see whether performance is improving or declining. The state assessment itself may have had changes that affect comparability with prior years.
Hedrick is a large middle school, with enrollment spread fairly evenly across the three grade levels. It operates as a neighborhood school within the Medford district, which recently approved a bond to fund safety upgrades, classroom additions, and technology improvements. The district has also implemented a stricter cell phone policy for middle and high school students, requiring phones to be kept in backpacks or lockers during the school day, including lunch. That kind of policy can affect the classroom environment and student focus, and families may want to ask how it is enforced.
Information on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, and course access was not available for this school, so a parent looking for a full picture of school climate or elective offerings would need to follow up directly with the school or the district. The school’s website would be a reasonable next step.
Medford’s housing market reflects its role as a regional center. Home values are modestly below the state average, and rents are high relative to local incomes, making affordability a consideration for families moving into the area. The city has experienced historical growth and continues to see development, particularly in medical and agricultural sectors, though specific recent housing developments were not detailed in the available sources.
For a family evaluating Hedrick Middle School, the academic picture is one of a school that performs above the middle of the pack in its county despite serving a student population with elevated economic need. The rising proficiency from sixth to eighth grade in both math and reading suggests that students may be gaining ground by the time they reach the final year of middle school. The school is part of a district that has invested in facilities and adopted policies aimed at reducing distractions. A parent would want to learn more about elective programs, extracurriculars, and the day-to-day student experience to see whether this school fits their child’s specific needs.
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