Photo: Esprqii · CC BY-SA 3.0Happy Valley’s public schools outscore 72% of Oregon districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Happy Valley, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Oregon, not nationally.
From Oregon state tests taken in spring 2022, when 87% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Happy Valley’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 84 Oregon towns with household incomes within a quarter of Happy Valley’s, its schools beat 56%, lower than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 45% and math 32% in spring 2022, against 44% and 31% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,887 per student, against $17,749 across Oregon (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Happy Valley Middle School, then Adrienne C. Nelson High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sunnyside Montessori House of Children (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Happy Valley’s grade
B+: better than 72% of Oregon school districts, #46 of 142 Oregon towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Oregon average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Happy Valley, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Happy Valley
Happy Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,158 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Happy Valley
Happy Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,158 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Happy Valley
Happy Valley Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,158 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Happy Valley
Adrienne C. Nelson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 27:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Happy Valley
Adrienne C. Nelson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 27:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Happy Valley
Adrienne C. Nelson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 27:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Happy Valley
Adrienne C. Nelson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,536 students · 27:1 students per teacher
Happy Valley’s public schools are run by North Clackamas School District 12, which also serves Johnson City and Milwaukie. Parts of Happy Valley (15% and 4% of its land) are served by Centennial School District 28J and Gresham-Barlow School District 1J instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Happy Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Oregon towns that share Happy Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley | B+ | North Clackamas School District 12 |
| Portland | A | Portland School District 1J |
Every school in Happy Valley
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Oregon’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Happy Valley’s schools
Are Happy Valley’s schools good?
By Oregon’s own tests, yes: the public schools Happy Valley children attend outscore 72% of Oregon’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #46 of 142 Oregon towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Happy Valley in?
North Clackamas School District 12, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 16,837 students in 31 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Happy Valley are served by Centennial School District 28J and Gresham-Barlow School District 1J.
Where do Happy Valley kids go to high school?
Adrienne C. Nelson High School, with 1,536 students.
What is Happy Valley’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in North Clackamas School District 12 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon.
How much does Happy Valley spend per student?
$15,887 in North Clackamas School District 12 (FY2024), against $17,749 across Oregon. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Happy Valley?
Yes: Sunnyside Montessori House of Children (religious, grades PK–K, 34 students).
Parents talk
What Happy Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Happy Valley → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Oregon. Stars are from neighbors.