The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on May Roberts Elementary School
May Roberts Elementary School serves kindergarten through sixth grade in Ontario, a small city at the Oregon-Idaho border that functions as a regional commercial and agricultural hub. The school is part of the Ontario SD 8C district, which recently passed a bond measure for facility improvements across all its schools, including roof repairs, HVAC upgrades, and security enhancements, structured to avoid increasing the current property tax rate. The district also adopted a new elementary English Language Arts curriculum based on the science of reading, which began implementation in the 2024-2025 school year, and expanded its dual language immersion program through fifth grade, reflecting a commitment to bilingual education.
May Roberts Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through sixth grade. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of white students and smaller numbers of students who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, or of two or more races. A very high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community with significant economic need. The school is located in Ontario, a small city at the Oregon-Idaho border that serves as a regional commercial and agricultural hub. The local economy is anchored by food processing, agriculture, corrections, healthcare, and a notable cannabis retail sector that draws customers from neighboring Idaho. The district recently passed a bond measure for facility improvements across all schools, including roof repairs, HVAC upgrades, and security enhancements, structured to avoid increasing the current property tax rate.
On state assessments, May Roberts Elementary shows proficiency rates that are below the midpoint among districts in Malheur County. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through six are low, with the highest rate in third grade and the lowest in fifth grade. In English language arts, the pattern is similar, with the highest proficiency in fifth grade and the lowest in fourth grade. Science results for fifth grade were suppressed due to a very small number of students meeting the bar, so a precise rate is not available. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the academic support and intervention strategies in place.
The district has made several recent changes that may be relevant to families. A bond measure passed in 2023 funds facility improvements across all schools, including roof repairs, HVAC upgrades, and security enhancements, without increasing the current property tax rate. The school board approved a new elementary English Language Arts curriculum based on the science of reading, replacing materials used for over a decade, with implementation beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. The district also expanded its dual language immersion program through fifth grade, offering a bilingual education pathway for families who want that option.
Housing in the Ontario area is more affordable than the state average, with home values well below Oregon's typical level. The local economy includes major employers such as a frozen food processing plant, a large correctional institution, a regional medical center, and a community college. Cannabis retail has become a notable sector, drawing significant cross-border traffic from Idaho. The city has a traditional downtown, a community college, and civic amenities including a cultural center and a state recreation site along the Snake River. The overall setting is a small, auto-oriented city with a quiet street life and a mix of residential, industrial, and agricultural uses.
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