Central Elementary School

La Grande is a small eastern Oregon city nestled in the Grande Ronde Valley, surrounded by the Blue Mountains — the kind of place where the outdoors is practically part of the curriculum and neighbors still know each other by name. Central Elementary sits solidly in the middle of the pack statewide, performing consistently across both English and math, which speaks to a steady, reliable program rather than one that shines in one area and struggles in another. Families who value a tight-knit community, a slower pace of life, and easy access to hiking, skiing, and wide-open spaces will find La Grande — and Central — a genuinely appealing place to put down roots.