The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Science. The lowest is 43% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sisters Elementary School
Sisters Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in the small, tourism-oriented city of Sisters, Oregon, at the eastern edge of the Deschutes National Forest. The school is part of the Sisters School District, which operates four schools for the community. A new elementary school building opened in fall 2024, replacing the previous facility, which was converted into a recreation center. This is a major capital investment that directly shapes the daily experience for the families whose children attend this school.
The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. It serves kindergarten through fourth grade, and because it does not serve tested grades beyond fourth, the state assessment data available covers only third through fifth graders. The school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Deschutes County. In English language arts, the share of students meeting proficiency was above the midpoint among the county's districts. In math, the share was also above the midpoint. In science, the share was above the midpoint as well. These results come from a single year of data, so there is no trend to examine yet.
The student body is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and very small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
Sisters Elementary serves only kindergarten through fourth grade, so there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not offer high school programs such as Advanced Placement or career and technical education pathways, as those are not part of an elementary school's mission.
The school sits in the town of Sisters, a small city that has grown rapidly in recent decades. The downtown is built around an 1880s Old West architectural theme, with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants along Cascade Avenue. The town is a gateway to the Deschutes National Forest and the Three Sisters Wilderness, with extensive hiking and mountain biking trails accessible from the city limits. Major annual events include the Sisters Rodeo, the Outdoor Quilt Show, and the Folk Festival. The local economy is driven by tourism, the Sisters Ranger District, and light industry at the old mill site industrial park. The population has grown substantially in recent decades, and the median age suggests a notable retiree presence.
Housing in the area is expensive relative to national benchmarks. Home values are well above the national median, and rents are also high. The cost of buying a home is substantially higher than renting, which may be a consideration for families moving into the district.
The district brief notes that a new Sisters Elementary School facility opened in September 2024, replacing the previous building, which was converted into a recreation center. The district made a major capital investment in construction for this project. For families considering this school, the new building is a concrete, recent improvement to the physical learning environment.
Because the school serves only kindergarten through fourth grade, there is no data on high school outcomes such as graduation rates or college readiness. A parent looking ahead would need to consider the middle and high school options within the Sisters district separately. The school's academic performance, based on the single year of available state testing, is solid relative to other Deschutes County districts, with English language arts proficiency being a particular strength. The new facility and the school's position in a growing, amenity-rich small city are the defining features of this elementary school.
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