Best Public Schools in Albany, OR

The city of Albany, Oregon is home to 21 schools, including 12 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools, all part of the Greater Albany Public School District 8J. The district is ranked 65 out of 140 in Oregon and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Among the standout schools in Albany are West Albany High School, ranked 23 out of 270 Oregon high schools with a 5-star rating and significantly higher test scores than the district and state averages. Oak Grove Elementary School and North Albany Elementary School are also high-performing elementary schools, ranked 34 and 116 out of 706 respectively, with impressive test scores. Additionally, North Albany Middle School stands out as a strong performer, ranked 51 out of 368 Oregon middle schools with 4-star rating and solid test scores.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the district, with some schools struggling more than others. Schools with higher rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, such as Sunrise Elementary and Waverly Elementary, tend to have lower test scores, suggesting a correlation between socioeconomic status and academic outcomes. Additionally, the district-wide chronic absenteeism rate of 34.3% is a persistent challenge that likely contributes to the academic struggles of some schools.