The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Math. The lowest is 27% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Dallesport Elementary
Dallesport Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Lyle School District. The school is located in the small, unincorporated community of Dallesport, which sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from The Dalles, Oregon. The community is rural and sparsely populated, with a highway-adjacent layout and no traditional downtown. The ZIP code serving the area is PO Box Only, reflecting minimal commercial infrastructure. Housing values in the area are moderately above the national median but below the state benchmark, with a recent year-over-year increase that outpaces national trends.
The school enrolls roughly a hundred students, making it a small elementary school. About half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a common indicator of economic need that parents may want to consider when thinking about the resources available to the school community. The student population is predominantly white, with a Hispanic or Latino share and smaller numbers of students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, two or more races, or Black. The school serves grades PK through five, so there is no high school graduation rate to report.
State testing data is limited. The most recent available results come from the fifth grade, the only tested grade with reported scores. In math, just under half of fifth graders scored at or above the proficient level on the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Science results, from a different state assessment, showed two in five fifth graders meeting proficiency. English language arts scores for fifth graders were lower, with roughly a quarter reaching the proficient benchmark. Results for grades three and four were suppressed by the state, likely due to small groups of test-takers, which is typical for a school of this size. The school’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint when compared to other school districts in Klickitat County.
A parent evaluating this school should note that the testing picture is thin; only a single grade level contributed usable data for each subject, and small enrollment numbers mean year-to-year performance can shift meaningfully. The lower English language arts proficiency rate is a soft spot that families may want to discuss with the school to understand what supports are in place. The school’s rural setting means most families will rely on driving, and the broader community has limited commercial or civic infrastructure. No major recent policy changes or new academic programs at the district level were found in publicly available information. For a family seeking a small, rural elementary school in a quiet Columbia River community, Dallesport offers a straightforward option, though the academic picture comes with the caveats that accompany a very small student body.
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