Umatilla High School (Oregon)

Umatilla High School is a public high school in Umatilla, Oregon, United States.

In 2008, 83% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 94 students, 78 graduated, 10 dropped out, 2 received a modified diploma, and 4 are still in high school.^[3][4]

UPDATED INFO: Umatilla High School educates about 400 students each year and is one of the few Title IA high schools in Oregon due to its 86% student poverty level. 100% of students receive free lunch and breakfast through a state-funded program. 66% of students are Hispanic, 31% are White, and the remaining 3% fall under an “Other” category. The high school had a 67% graduation rate in 2015 (Oregon Department of Education Office of Assessment and Accountability), a slight improvement from previous years. The average freshmen class size of 100 students. According to the Umatilla High School Annual Report Card, only 43% of graduating students continue education beyond high school. Most of the students who do continue education typically attend community college.

It is important to note that the school has made dramatic improvements in recent years. From new STEM programming to the offering of free college courses to its students, UHS is on the rise. Recent UHS alumni have been very successful. A student from the class of 2000 was the first UHS graduate to attend an Ivy league institution, completing a master's degree from Columbia University in 2013.

Umatilla High School is located in Umatilla, Oregon. Umatilla is a small, rural town located in Eastern Oregon. The town is home to approximately 7,400 people and is over three hours away from any major city. With a 44% minority population, Umatilla is a highly diverse place. Hispanics alone make up 80% of the minority population. Despite a 5% unemployment rate, only 8% of households make more than $100,000 per year and 53% make less than $50,000 per year. 70% of these households include children. Suffice to say, Umatilla is a town with high poverty. The relatively low income is likely attributed to lack of education among adults age 25 and older; only 8.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more. Most Umatilla residents are working class, and the largest industries are “fishing, farming, and forestry” and “production, transportation, and material-moving occupations” (United States Census Bureau). There are three major roads systems which go through the city: Interstate 82, Highway 395 and Highway 730. The city sits on the banks of the Columbia River, with the Umatilla River running through the town. Umatilla is separated into three areas: McNary, “The Town,” and South Hill. A recent article has ranked Umatilla as the #6 Most Miserable Town in Oregon based on census data (James). The town has one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school —all are public schools.

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