Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 97116

The 97116 zip code area is home to two middle schools: Neil Armstrong Middle School and Tom McCall Upper Elementary. Both schools serve students in grades 5-8 and are part of the Forest Grove School District 15. However, the data suggests these schools are facing significant challenges in terms of academic performance, poverty levels, and chronic absenteeism.

Neither Neil Armstrong Middle School nor Tom McCall Upper Elementary appear to be standout performers based on the available data. Both schools have consistently lower proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science compared to the state and district averages. Additionally, both schools have high chronic absenteeism rates, with 34.3% of students chronically absent in the 2023-2024 school year. This is a concerning trend, as consistent school attendance is crucial for academic success.

The high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at both schools, 63.7% at Neil Armstrong Middle School and 64.16% at Tom McCall Upper Elementary, suggest these schools serve communities with high levels of poverty. This can contribute to the challenges they face in academic achievement. Despite the relatively high per-student spending at both schools, the academic performance remains low, indicating that the resources may not be effectively allocated or utilized to support student learning. Addressing the factors contributing to chronic absenteeism and improving resource allocation could be important focus areas for these schools to improve educational outcomes for their students.