Bear Creek Elementary School

Bear Creek Elementary sits in Bend's southwest corridor, a part of town that's grown quickly as families have been drawn to the city's outdoor lifestyle and high desert scenery. The school serves a diverse mix of households in one of Oregon's fastest-growing metros, and while its academic scores land in the middle-to-lower range for the state, it's part of a district that takes education seriously and offers plenty of support resources. Families who prioritize proximity to trails, parks, and a tight-knit neighborhood feel — and who are willing to stay engaged in their child's learning journey — tend to find Bend a genuinely rewarding place to put down roots.