Banks School District 13

Banks School District 13 serves roughly 1,081 students across three schools — one elementary (K–5), one middle (6–8), and one high school (9–12) — and has no alternative schools. As a district, it ranks 39th of 141 districts in Oregon, the 72nd percentile, with 4 stars. That overall rating, however, hides three very different schools: the district average is not representative of any single one of them.

Banks High School is the standout, ranking 14th of 271 high schools — the 95th percentile, with 5 stars — after sitting at the 29th percentile with 2 stars in 2023–2024. Its graduation rate is 98.1%, 15.1 points above the state's 83.0%. Proficiency is 71.7% in ELA, 48.3% in math, and 60.0% in science, all far above state averages, even though it has the district's highest chronic absenteeism (31.2%) and largest classes (20.4 student/teacher ratio). Banks Elementary School sits in the middle: 343rd of 709 elementary schools (52nd percentile, 3 stars), with ELA at 44.4% and math at 37.8% (both above state), but science at 22.9% (below state). Its early grades are strong — 3rd grade ELA is 50.0% and 3rd grade math is 52.8% — while 5th grade math is 20.0% and 5th grade science is 22.9%, both below state.

Banks Middle School is the district's urgent concern: 279th of 371 middle schools (25th percentile, 1 star), below district and state in every subject — ELA 31.6%, math 23.5%, and science just 10.5%. Eighth grade ELA is 20.8%. It has the highest free/reduced lunch rate (74.8%) but the smallest classes and lowest absenteeism, so neither attendance nor resources simply explain the gap. Science is the most uneven subject district-wide, with the high school's strength masking weaker results in the lower grades. Families should note the district's 4-star rating combines one exceptional high school, one mixed elementary, and one struggling middle school.