Talmadge Middle School

Talmadge Middle School sits in the small, tight-knit city of Independence, a riverside community along the Willamette that has a distinctly rural, unhurried feel compared to the larger cities nearby. Academically, the school faces some real challenges, with test scores currently below state midpoints in both English and math — something families who prioritize academics may want to factor in when planning. That said, Independence has a strong sense of community identity, and families already rooted in the area often appreciate the smaller-town environment and the connections that come with it.