Photo: Glenn Scofield Williams · CC BY 2.0The Dalles’s public schools score below 76% of Oregon districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 19% of The Dalles’s students scored proficient, below the Oregon average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving The Dalles, 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 92% 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.
The Dalles’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 172 Oregon towns with household incomes within a quarter of The Dalles’s, its schools beat 18%, lower than their 24% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 44% and 31% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,590 per student, against $17,749 across Oregon (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is The Dalles Middle School, then The Dalles High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Marys Academy (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 The Dalles’s grade
C−: better than 24% of Oregon school districts, #122 of 142 Oregon towns. Both inputs trail the Oregon average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve The Dalles, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in The Dalles · depends on your address
Dry Hollow Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Chenowith Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Colonel Wright Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 291 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in The Dalles · depends on your address
Dry Hollow Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Chenowith Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Colonel Wright Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 291 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in The Dalles · depends on your address
Dry Hollow Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Chenowith Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Colonel Wright Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 291 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in The Dalles · depends on your address
Dry Hollow Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Chenowith Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Colonel Wright Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 291 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in The Dalles · depends on your address
Dry Hollow Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Chenowith Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Colonel Wright Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 291 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in The Dalles · depends on your address
Dry Hollow Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Chenowith Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Colonel Wright Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 291 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 513 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 513 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 513 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles High School
Grades 9–12 · 795 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles High School
Grades 9–12 · 795 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles High School
Grades 9–12 · 795 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in The Dalles
The Dalles High School
Grades 9–12 · 795 students · 20:1 students per teacher
The Dalles’s public schools are run by North Wasco School District 21, which also serves Mosier. Parts of The Dalles (2% of its land) are served by Dufur School District 29 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.
Well below the state in reading
The Dalles vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Oregon towns that share The Dalles’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| The Dalles | C− | North Wasco School District 21 |
Every school in The Dalles
7 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 The Dalles’s schools
Are The Dalles’s schools good?
On Oregon’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools The Dalles children attend score below 76% of Oregon’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #122 of 142 Oregon towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is The Dalles in?
North Wasco School District 21, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,834 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of The Dalles are served by Dufur School District 29.
Where do The Dalles kids go to high school?
The Dalles High School, with 795 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is The Dalles’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in North Wasco School District 21 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon.
How much does The Dalles spend per student?
$16,590 in North Wasco School District 21 (FY2024), against $17,749 across Oregon. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in The Dalles?
Yes: St. Marys Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 185 students).
Parents talk
What The Dalles families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near The Dalles → 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.