Eagle Charter School leads Salem in U.S. News rankings

Eagle Charter School ranked highest among Salem elementary schools in U.S. News & World Report's 2027 Best Elementary Schools rankings, released Oct. 20.

The small charter school on Locust Avenue NE placed 86th out of 721 ranked Oregon elementary schools, earning an overall score of 88.19 out of 100.

The 150-student school, which serves kindergarten through fifth grade, outperformed both its district and the state in math and reading on state assessments. According to the school's U.S. News profile, 52% of Eagle Charter students scored at or above the proficient level in math and 57% in reading. Statewide, those figures were 35% and 43%.

U.S. News rated Eagle Charter's reading and math performance as "Well Above Expectations."

The school enrolls 65% economically disadvantaged students and has a 21-to-1 student-teacher ratio with seven full-time teachers, all of whom are certified. Dr. Ballance serves as superintendent-principal, according to the school's website.

Eagle Charter, a state-sponsored charter school, follows Common Core State Standards and includes a MicroSociety enrichment program every school day, according to its website.

The school says it has been voted one of the best charter schools in the Willamette Valley for seven consecutive years.

Nine other Salem elementary schools also appeared in the U.S. News rankings. Morningside Elementary (311 students, 18:1 ratio) and Kalapuya Elementary (483 students, 22:1 ratio) followed Eagle Charter in the Salem-filtered results.

Candalaria, Schirle, Brush College, Valley Inquiry Charter, Myers, Wright and Englewood elementary schools also made the list. Statewide rank numbers for those schools were not available in the published data.

The rankings, based on 2023-2024 state assessment data collected by RTI International, weigh math and reading proficiency at 50% and performance relative to socioeconomic context at the other 50%, according to the U.S. News methodology.

Student-teacher ratios break ties. There is no national ranking; schools are ranked at the state and district levels.

Eric Brooks, U.S. News director of education data analysis, said in a press release that the updated approach "gives families, educators and community leaders an even clearer view of academic achievement."

In total, about 46,000 public elementary schools were ranked nationwide.

Oregon's top 10 elementary schools (2027 U.S. News)