The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in English language arts. The lowest is 57% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tumalo Community School
Tumalo Community School is a small, regular public elementary school in the Redmond School District 2J, located north of Bend, Oregon along the Deschutes River corridor. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and is situated in an area that has experienced rapid growth and development as Bend itself has transformed from a logging town into a hub for outdoor recreation and tourism. The region's economy is driven by tourism, including the Mount Bachelor ski resort, and a prominent craft brewing industry.
The school's student body is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic population and a modest share of students identifying as two or more races. Just under half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a segment of the community with lower household income. Enrollment numbers were not available to indicate a trend, but the community context of Bend shows strong recent population growth, which likely shapes the school's enrollment context.
Academically, Tumalo Community School posted strong proficiency results on Oregon's state assessments in the available year. In English language arts, proficiency rates were consistently high across third, fourth, and fifth grades. Math results were more varied: third-grade performance was very high, fourth-grade remained strong, while fifth-grade results were notably lower. In science, tested only in fifth grade, the proficiency rate matched the lower fifth-grade math figure. When measured as an overall index across tested subjects and grades, the school's performance landed in the top quartile relative to other districts in Deschutes County. Because only one year of assessment data was available, no trend could be established.
Because Tumalo Community School serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, and staffing were also not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these aspects of the school environment.
The Redmond School District, which operates Tumalo Community School, approved a significant bond measure in 2023 to fund facility improvements across the district, including safety and security upgrades, HVAC and roofing replacements, and classroom additions. The district also refinanced bond debt in 2024, projecting savings for taxpayers. It is not clear from available information which specific projects, if any, are planned for the Tumalo campus, but the district-level investments suggest ongoing attention to physical plant conditions.
Housing in the area commands a relatively high price, with typical home values above the national benchmark and rents that are significant relative to median income. The local housing market shows a modest year-over-year decline in values, while rents have risen. This economic context, combined with rapid population growth in Bend, suggests a competitive housing market in the attendance zone. Families moving to the area should be prepared for a higher cost of living.
Overall, Tumalo Community School offers a strong academic foundation in a small elementary school setting, with particularly high English language arts outcomes. The varied math results across grades may warrant a conversation with the school about instructional approaches and support. The school operates within a growing, recreation-oriented community where housing is expensive and the district has recently committed to facility upgrades. It is a good fit for families seeking a neighborhood elementary school with solid test performance in a part of Central Oregon that has seen substantial change and investment.
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