Summary
Bridges High School is a small public high school in Madras, Oregon, serving grades 9–12 with just 62 students as part of Jefferson County School District 509J. It ranks among the lowest-performing high schools in Oregon — 267th of 271 in 2025–2026 (1st percentile) and 270th of 270 in 2024–2025, with 0 stars in each recent year shown. Its district ranks 130th of 141 Oregon districts. Despite its tiny size, staffing is intensive: the 2024–25 student-teacher ratio was 8.2, compared with 23.6 at nearby Madras High School and 16.6 at nearby Culver High School, and per-student spending was $41,554 — nearly double both. Poverty is high, with 90.32% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch in 2024–25.
Outcomes lag district and state levels. Chronic absenteeism is the standout concern at 91.1% in 2024–25 — more than double Madras (45.7%) and Culver (37.4%), and far above the district (41.3%) and state (33.5%). The 2024–25 graduation rate was 76.6%, below the district (91.7%) and state (83.0%), though it has improved from 55.6% in 2022–23. In 2025–26, proficiency was 16.7% in ELA, 5.6% in math, and 8.3% in science — all below district and state results, with math especially low.
Local comparisons are striking. Madras, only 0.41 miles away and in the same district, serves 768 students with higher poverty by free/reduced lunch yet posts a 95.9% graduation rate and higher proficiency in all three subjects. Culver, 8.47 miles away, has lower poverty, lower per-pupil spending, and much better graduation and absenteeism outcomes; its ELA is nearly double Bridges's while its science is lower, and its math result is suppressed by the state and unknown. With only 62 students, percentages can swing on a few students, but consistently low rankings across years suggest structural patterns. Relative effectiveness for female students and low-income students also ranks near the bottom statewide.
Thank you for your feedback!