The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 37% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Otto Petersen Elementary School
Otto Petersen Elementary School is a regular public school in Scappoose, Oregon, serving grades four through six as part of the Scappoose School District 1J. The school enrolls a moderate number of students for an upper-elementary grade span. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic students and students identifying as two or more races, and about two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a moderate level of economic diversity. Data on the share of students with Individualized Education Programs or English learner status was not available.
Academically, the school’s performance on Oregon’s state assessments places it in the top quartile relative to districts in Columbia County, based on an overall proficiency index that averages results across tested subjects and grades. That is a strong showing compared with neighboring districts. Looking at individual subjects, English language arts proficiency was the highest, with a solid majority of students meeting the bar in grade five and about half in grade four, though grade six dipped a bit. Math proficiency rates were lower, with roughly two-fifths of fourth graders and about one-third of fifth and sixth graders reaching the proficient level. Science, tested only in grade five, fell between the two. These are single-year results; no multi-year trend is available, so it is not possible to say whether the school is improving or declining. Parents may want to ask the school how it supports math learning specifically.
Because Otto Petersen serves only grades four through six, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was also missing from the available records. The school’s Title I status was not listed in the data.
Scappoose is a residential community about a short commute from Portland, functioning largely as a bedroom town for the larger city. The town has seen modest population growth in recent years, and its economy includes a mix of light industry, a regional airport and industrial airpark, and an outdoor recreation corridor along the Crown-Zellerbach Trail and Scappoose Bay. Home values in the area are near the statewide median and have recently held fairly steady, with rents also typical for the region. For prospective residents, the housing market offers a relatively affordable entry point compared with closer-in Portland suburbs.
A publicly reported long-range facility plan for the Scappoose School District proposes closing Otto Petersen Elementary and expanding the district’s K-3 schools to serve kindergarten through fifth grade, with the middle school potentially adding grade six. If adopted, this would change the grade configuration for families in the district and shift the feeder pattern that currently sends students to Otto Petersen. The plan is in the proposal stage, but it is a major consideration for anyone choosing a home or school in the area. Parents should look into the status and timeline of that proposal directly with the district.
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