The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mark Twain Elementary
Mark Twain Elementary serves the Silverton community, a small city in Oregon’s Willamette Valley northeast of Salem, as one of a dozen elementary schools in the Silver Falls School District. The school handles kindergarten through fifth grade and sits on its own campus, separate from the downtown commercial core. Silverton itself blends residential areas, a walkable downtown along Silver Creek with cafes and shops, and a strong agricultural heritage. The city is known as the gateway to Silver Falls State Park and hosts the Oregon Garden, a large botanical park. Population data suggests a slight recent decline after decades of growth. The median home value in the area is higher than the state benchmark, putting homeownership out of reach for many, though it remains below the national price-to-income ratio. Rent is also high relative to income, making affordability a real consideration for any family looking to move in.
The student body at Mark Twain is predominantly white, with a sizable Hispanic population. Roughly half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that signals mid-level economic need compared to many schools. The school is a regular public school with no charter or magnet status, and information on its Title I status was not available in the data provided.
On state assessments, the results present a mixed picture. Across the three tested grades, English language arts proficiency shows a clear upward trend by grade. Third-grade proficiency is well below half, fourth grade climbs to a higher share, and fifth grade sees a strong majority of students meeting the bar. Math proficiency is softer across all three grades, sitting in the mid-range, with little variation from grade to grade. Fifth-grade science proficiency is lower than both the ELA and math results for that grade. When combined into an overall index and placed against other schools in Marion County districts, Mark Twain’s proficiency sits above the midpoint of the cohort, meaning it performs better on average across subjects than the typical school in the county.
This is the only year of testing data available for the school, so there is no multi-year trend to assess direction. That single snapshot leaves a parent unable to see whether performance is improving or slipping. Asking the school about recent trends would be a worthwhile step.
The district-level data did not surface any recent changes, bond measures, or program shifts that would directly affect families at Mark Twain, so those remain unknown from this search. No information was available on staffing ratios, class sizes, discipline rates, or chronic absenteeism, all of which would help round out the picture.
For a family considering Mark Twain, the housing market in Silverton is expensive and may be a significant factor in the decision. The school itself offers a standard elementary experience in a small-city setting. The academic data shows a school where reading outcomes strengthen considerably by fifth grade, while math and science scores are areas where a parent might want to understand the school’s approach and support resources. Without trend data or information on programs, class sizes, or student support services, the full picture is incomplete. A conversation with the school principal or a visit to the building would be the right next step for any family.
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