School district or education agency · NCES 4111720

St Helens SD 502

Columbia City, OR

District overview See comparisons

Students2,808

Student membership reported by NCES for 2023–24.

Schools8

operational schools · 2023–24

Students2,808

students in linked records

Latest attendance year2022–23

federal comparable series

Latest finance record$15,027

per student

District, state and country

How does this district compare?

State and national figures use the same measure and reporting period. They are weighted by students or staffing whenever the source provides a denominator.

MeasureDistrictORUnited States

Academic standing2019

43rd percentile48th percentile49th percentile

This district is 5 percentile points lower than the state figure and 6 percentile points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students chronically absent2022–23

48.6%43.8%27.8%

This district is 4.8 percentage points higher than the state figure and 20.8 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Revenue per studentFY 2023

$18,368$19,537$19,509

This district is $1,169 per student lower than the state figure and $1,141 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Spending per studentFY 2023

$15,027$16,029$15,859

This district is $1,002 per student lower than the state figure and $832 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Capital outlay per studentFY 2023

$8,542$2,859$1,964

This district is $5,683 per student higher than the state figure and $6,578 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Equipment spending per studentFY 2023

$257$297$336

This district is $40 per student lower than the state figure and $79 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Special-education spending per studentFY 2023

$1,948$2,197$1,793

This district is $249 per student lower than the state figure and $155 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Salaries per studentFY 2023

$8,316$8,313$8,742

This district is $3 per student higher than the state figure and $426 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Benefits per studentFY 2023

$3,691$4,622$3,769

This district is $931 per student lower than the state figure and $78 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt outstanding per studentFY 2023

$40,995$22,628$11,715

This district is $18,367 per student higher than the state figure and $29,280 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Debt retired per studentFY 2023

$734$1,329$869

This district is $595 per student lower than the state figure and $135 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per teacher2023–24

19:118:115:1

This district is 1.0 students per teacher higher than the state figure and 4.0 students per teacher higher than the U.S. figure.

Students per counselor2023–24

322:1330:1376:1

This district is 8 students per counselor lower than the state figure and 54 students per counselor lower than the U.S. figure.

District staff per 1,000 students2023–24

117.4145.4138.9

This district is 28.0 staff per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 21.5 staff per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Instructional aides per 1,000 students2023–24

17.222.418.5

This district is 5.2 aides per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 1.3 aides per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

School psychologists per 1,000 students2023–24

0.80.80.9

This district is about the same as the state figure and 0.1 psychologists per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Regular diplomas among completers2023–24

99.4%98.9%99.0%

This district is 0.5 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.4 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–122023–24

3.8%3.2%2.6%

This district is 0.6 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students learning English2021–22 · reporting schools

2.5%10.6%12.0%

This district is 8.1 percentage points lower than the state figure and 9.5 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · reporting schools

14.1%13.9%14.0%

This district is 0.2 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.1 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · reporting schools

3.8%3.4%3.9%

This district is 0.4 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.1 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Teachers reported as certified2021–22 · reporting schools

81.6%98.1%95.8%

This district is 16.5 percentage points lower than the state figure and 14.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment change2021–22 to 2023–24

+2.9%+1.1%+0.5%

This district is 1.8 percentage points higher than the state figure and 2.4 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students without disabilities2021–22 · matched enrollment

2.5%3.4%4.5%

This district is 0.9 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.0 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · matched enrollment

6.1%7.8%9.0%

This district is 1.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.9 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · matched enrollment

0.0%4.8%6.7%

This district is 4.8 percentage points lower than the state figure and 6.7 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students enrolled in district distance education2021–22 · matched enrollment

11.9%8.9%5.1%

This district is 3.0 percentage points higher than the state figure and 6.8 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

School-age children in poverty2024 Census estimate

11.8%11.6%14.4%

This district is 0.2 percentage points higher than the state figure and 2.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment · 2023–24

Who attends this district?

Kindergarten–grade 51,220 students

43.4%

Grades 6–8614 students

21.9%

Grades 9–12974 students

34.7%

See enrollment for every grade

Kindergarten187

Grade 1192

Grade 2237

Grade 3198

Grade 4222

Grade 5184

Grade 6194

Grade 7203

Grade 8217

Grade 9266

Grade 10245

Grade 11252

Grade 12211

Students by race and ethnicity

White2,164 (77.1%)

Hispanic/Latino340 (12.1%)

Two or more races198 (7.1%)

American Indian or Alaska Native38 (1.4%)

Black or African American25 (0.9%)

Asian18 (0.6%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander8 (0.3%)

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership file, 2023–24. Suppressed or missing cells are not estimated.

Current staffing · 2023–24

How many staff members support students?

329.7All district staff, full-time equivalent

150Teachers, full-time equivalent

8.7School counselors, full-time equivalent

2.3School psychologists, full-time equivalent

48.4Instructional aides, full-time equivalent

2.5Librarians and media specialists, full-time equivalent

9.9School administrators, full-time equivalent

18.3Student support staff, full-time equivalent

See detailed staffing

Kindergarten teachers13.6 FTE

Elementary teachers90.7 FTE

Secondary teachers45.6 FTE

Instructional coordinators2.8 FTE

District administrators3 FTE

District administrative support12.2 FTE

School administrative support14.7 FTE

Library and media support1.6 FTE

Other support staff55.6 FTE

Final NCES Common Core of Data staff file, 2023–24. These are full-time-equivalent positions, not employee headcounts, vacancies or caseloads.

High-school outcomes · 2023–24

How many students completed school or dropped out?

161Total completers

160Regular diplomas

1Other state-recognized credentials

37Reported dropouts, grades 9–12

Regular diplomas among completers

District99.4%

OR98.9%

United States99.0%

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–12

District3.8%

OR3.2%

United States2.6%

Final NCES Common Core of Data completer and dropout files, 2023–24. The dropout rate divides the reported annual grades 9–12 dropout count by complete grades 9–12 enrollment. It is not a cohort graduation rate. The diploma share describes credentials among completers and should not be read as a graduation rate.

Graduation · 2022–23

How many students graduated within four years?

Loading the district's official graduation record…

Learning support · 2021–22 federal snapshot

How many students may need specialized support?

Counts and shares use only schools with a usable value for that measure. The reporting-school denominator prevents missing schools from being counted as zero.

2.5%Students learning English71 students · 8 of 8 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District2.5%

OR10.6%

U.S.12.0%

14.1%Students receiving IDEA special-education services395 students · 8 of 8 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District14.1%

OR13.9%

U.S.14.0%

3.8%Students with Section 504 plans100 students · 7 of 8 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District3.8%

OR3.4%

U.S.3.9%

0.4%English learners also receiving IDEA services11 students · 8 of 8 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District0.4%

OR1.9%

U.S.1.7%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Public-use counts are privacy-protected. These figures describe the reporting year, not current enrollment, diagnoses, service quality or unmet need.

Teacher quality and early learning · 2021–22

What did the district report about teachers and preschool?

81.6%Teachers reported as certified

36Children ages 3–5 in district preschool

Teacher certification comparison

District81.6%

OR98.1%

United States95.8%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Certification status is district-reported and may not match current staffing. Preschool counts cover the federal reporting year and are not a measure of available seats.

Community context · 2024

How many school-age children live in poverty?

This Census estimate provides context about families in the district. It does not measure school quality or describe every student enrolled in the district.

3,411children ages 5 to 17

401estimated to live in families below the poverty line

11.8%about 1 in 8 school-age children

District11.8%

OR11.6%

United States14.4%

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. The estimate covers related children ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty and uses 2024–25 district boundaries.

District geography · 2024–25

What area does this district cover?

NCES publishes a geographic boundary for traditional school districts. Charter agencies and some special-purpose agencies may not have one.

Loading the official district boundary…

Source: NCES EDGE School District Boundaries, school year 2024–25.

Comparable districts

Districts serving a similar student population

These peers are matched using enrollment and available student population measures. Districts in OR receive geographic preference, but a closer national match may appear when it is more comparable. Open any profile for a full comparison.

Cascade SD 5Aumsville, OR2,774 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Pendleton SD 16Pendleton, OR2,955 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, special-education enrollment · View profile →Santiam Canyon SD 129JMill City, OR2,677 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →North Wasco County SD 21The Dalles, OR2,847 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Dallas SD 2Dallas, OR2,995 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →

District makeup

What kinds of schools are in the district?

4Elementary schools

2High schools

1Middle schools

1Other schools

7Town setting

1Rural setting

1Charter schools

1Alternative schools

School levels, settings and types use the NCES 2021–22 directory matched to the federal civil-rights collection.

District finances

How is the district funded, and how does it spend?

Sources of funds

Where the money comes from

Share of district revenue supplied by each level of government.

8.2%Federal

53.6%State

38.2%Local

Uses of funds

Where the money goes

Annual spending for each enrolled student.

$15,027Total current spending per student

$8,506Instruction per student

$6,008Support services per student

Revenue by source: percentages and dollars

$4.3MFederal revenue8.2% of total revenue

$27.8MState revenue53.6% of total revenue

$19.8MLocal revenue38.2% of total revenue

How operating money was used

$8,506Instructionper student

$6,008Student and instructional supportper student

$1,948Special educationper student

$1,168Building operations and maintenanceper student

$759Student transportationper student

$513Food servicesper student

$61Technologyper student

People costs

$23.5MSalaries$8,316 per student

$10.4MEmployee benefits$3,691 per student

Equipment, buildings and debt

$728KEquipmentFY 2023

$24.2MCapital outlay$8,542 per student

$23.4MConstructionincluded in capital outlay

$116MDebt outstanding at year end$40,995 per student

$0New debt issuedFY 2023

$2.1MDebt principal retiredFY 2023

$5.4MInterest paid on debtFY 2023

Selected federal program revenue

$616KTitle I$218 per student

$702KIDEA special education$248 per student

$796KChild nutrition$281 per student

What changed since FY 2022

Operating spending per student

FY 2022$13,483

FY 2023$15,027

Capital spending per student

FY 2022$3,235

FY 2023$8,542

Debt outstanding per student

FY 2022$42,161

FY 2023$40,995

Revenue shares and spending categories answer different questions and should not be added together. Source: NCES F-33 district finance, FY 2023.

Attendance

How has chronic absence changed?

2020–2145.9%

1,187 of 2,586 students

2021–2242.9%

1,172 of 2,729 students

2022–2348.6%

1,339 of 2,757 students

Specialized support and security · 2021–22

What specialized roles were reported?

0Sworn law-enforcement officer FTE8 reporting schools

2.5Security staff FTE8 reporting schools

Staffing is reported as full-time equivalents in the 2021–22 CRDC collection.

Learning opportunities

What do district schools offer?

Algebra I3 reporting schools

Calculus3 reporting schools

Biology3 reporting schools

Chemistry3 reporting schools

Physics3 reporting schools

Computer science3 reporting schools

Advanced Placement3 reporting schools

Dual enrollment3 reporting schools

Gifted programs8 reporting schools

International Baccalaureate3 reporting schools

Athletics2 reporting schools

Shares use only schools for which the program was applicable and reported. A districtwide percentage does not guarantee availability at every grade or campus. Source: 2021–22 CRDC.

Safety and discipline

What was reported across district schools?

79Out-of-school suspensions8 reporting schoolsSee schools →45In-school suspensions8 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Law-enforcement referrals8 reporting schoolsSee schools →0School-related arrests8 reporting schoolsSee schools →9Physical restraint1 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Counts are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Open a measure to see the schools behind the district total.

Technology and safety · 2021–22

What access and incident data is available?

88%Schools reporting Wi-Fi8 reporting schools

75%Schools reporting fiber8 reporting schools

6Student devices reported7 reporting schools

Technology and incident figures are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Device counts describe the reporting year, not current inventory.

Six questions parents ask

What the available data says

Each answer shows its reporting year and opens a deeper comparison. Missing and suppressed results are never shown as zero.

Are students making academic progress?1 years of resultsLatest research estimate: 2019Explore and compare →Are students missing too much school?48.6% chronically absent2022–23 · 2,757 students measuredExplore and compare →Is the district improving?No comparable trendCompare the earliest and latest available yearsExplore and compare →Where are student-group gaps largest?No comparable group resultSuppressed or unavailableExplore and compare →How much does the district spend?$15,027current spending per studentExplore and compare →Does the district have enough support staff?322:1 counselor ratioStudents per counselor in the 2023–24 federal staffing fileExplore and compare →

Data status

8 of 8 national data layers are matched to this NCES district ID. Identity and school counts use NCES records. Academic estimates use SEDA, attendance uses EDFacts, finance uses NCES F-33, staffing and enrollment use 2023–24 NCES CCD where available, teacher certification, preschool and policy fields use the 2021–22 CRDC, and community poverty context uses Census SAIPE. Four-year graduation rates use 2022–23 EDFacts. Every detailed view preserves its reporting year.

See all sources →