The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Willamina Middle School
Willamina Middle School serves a small student body in grades six through eight, drawing from the Willamina area in Yamhill County. The school sits in a town with a rural, small-town character, historically tied to the timber industry and now also home to employers like Spirit Mountain Casino and Hampton Lumber. The community is compact and car-dependent for regional travel, with a modest downtown core, several local parks, and a public library. Population growth has been slow and steady. The district did not have any recent parent-relevant changes publicly reported, so this profile reflects the school as it currently stands.
The student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of students who are American Indian or Alaska Native, and smaller shares who are Hispanic or of two or more races. The school is a regular public school and not a charter or magnet. It is not possible to report on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, or the share of students with disabilities or English learners, because those figures were not available.
On state assessments administered in the most recent school year, the school’s proficiency rates fell well below state averages. In math, proficiency was reported at roughly one student in five in sixth grade, about one student in seven in seventh grade, and below one in ten in eighth grade. In English language arts, roughly one student in four in sixth grade, about three in ten in seventh grade, and roughly one student in five in eighth grade met the proficiency bar. In eighth-grade science, about one student in ten met the bar. These are the only state testing results available; no prior-year data exists for comparison, so it is not possible to say whether these numbers represent a trend.
Compared to other school districts in Yamhill County, this school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile. This is a significant gap, and a parent or resident may want to look into this further with the school to understand what academic supports are in place and how the school is working to improve student outcomes.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Information on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, and staffing was also not available. A parent may wish to ask the school directly about these areas, as they can be important for understanding the daily experience of students.
The housing market in the area shows home values roughly in line with the national median, though lower than the Oregon state benchmark. A mortgage at current rates would cost roughly two thousand dollars per month before taxes and insurance, which is a substantial burden relative to the national median household income, and a family should consider whether the local housing market fits their budget. Rent costs have been rising steadily, consistent with national trends.
This is a small middle school in a quiet rural town. The academic performance numbers are low, and the school does not appear to offer programs like AP or career pathways that are common in larger or more affluent districts. For a family that values a tight-knit community setting and is prepared to be actively engaged in understanding and supporting their child’s academic progress, this school may be a viable option. For a family seeking higher measured academic performance or a wider range of program offerings, the data suggests this school may not meet that expectation.
See more original research from School Decision →