Choosing the right elementary school can have a huge effect on your child’s future education. Early childhood development prepares your child to learn, become self-confident, and create friendships. Portland has several very good public schools and family-friendly neighborhoods, which give a good starting point for children as they continue on into middle school and high school. You can use the following list of Best Elementary Schools in Portland to help you evaluate each school based upon the classroom environment, teacher-to-student ratio, and overall experience of the learning at the school.
The long-term view is the common approach that most parents take when selecting a school for their child. They want a smooth transition from elementary to middle school in the Portland area. Successful elementary schools will give you the building blocks to ensure that your child succeeds in their future education.
Top 10 Best Elementary Schools in Portland
1. School in Winterhaven
- Address: Portland, OR 97202, 3830 SE 14th Ave.
- K–8 grades
- There are 192 students and 20 teachers, so the student-teacher ratio is 20:1.
People all over Oregon know that Winterhaven School is one of the best schools in the state. It is in the Brooklyn neighborhood and it has a close-knit school community that helps students through their early years.
2. The Alameda Elementary School
- Address: 2732 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212
- K–5 grades
- 311 students in total
- 22 students for every teacher
Alameda Elementary School is in Northeast Portland and is known for having parents who are very involved. The school encourages balanced learning by having competent teachers and a friendly environment.
3. Abernethy School
- Address: 2421 SE Orange Ave, Portland, OR 97214
- K–5 grades
- There are 219 students in all.
- There are 19 students for every teacher.
This school is in the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood and provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and regular academic help.
4. Elementary School Stephenson
- Address: 2627 SW Stephenson St, Portland, OR 97219
- K–5 grades
- There are 213 students in all.
- Ratio of Students to Teachers: 19:1
Families in Southwest Portland can send their kids to Stephenson Elementary School, which is a quiet, neighborhood-focused school. The school puts a lot of stress on steady academic growth and student health.
5. The Bonny Slope School
- Address: 11775 NW McDaniel Rd, Portland, OR 97229.
- K–5 grades
- There are 632 students in total.
- There are 19 students for every teacher.
There are many homes in the area around Bonny Slope Elementary School. The school has many students, so it can offer many programs while keeping class sizes balanced.
6. The Elementary School in Bridlemile
- Address: 4300 SW 47th Dr, Portland, OR 97221
- K–5 grades
- There are 290 students in total.
- Ratio of Students to Teachers: 18:1
Bridlemile Elementary School is known for having a strong academic focus and a friendly school culture. Families like that their kids get a lot of attention because of the small class sizes.
7. The Sato School
- 7775 NW Kaiser Rd, Portland, OR 97229
- K–5 grades
- There are 713 students in total.
- There are 20 students for every teacher.
Sato Elementary School in Northwest Portland has students from many different backgrounds. The school has structured learning programs and is a friendly place for families.
8. Llewellyn School for Kids
- Address: Portland, Oregon 97202, 6301 SE 14th Ave.
- Grades: K–5
- There are 228 students in total.
- There are 16 students for every teacher.
Many parents like Llewellyn Elementary School because it has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in Portland, which means that students can get more personalized instruction.
9. Ainsworth School
- Address: 2425 SW Vista Ave, Portland, OR 97201
- K–5 grades
- Number of Students: 298
- The ratio of students to teachers is 20 to 1.
Ainsworth Elementary School is in the Southwest Hills and is known for its strong community support and steady academic programs.
10. School for grades K–8 in Springville
- Address: 6655 NW Joss Ave, Portland, OR 97229
- K–5 grades
- There are 441 students in total.
- There are 19 students for every teacher.
Springville K-8 School is a stable place to learn in a suburban-style setting. Families often like how the school balances academics with helping students grow.
Parent Tips for Choosing the Right Elementary School
When choosing an elementary school for your child, you should not only focus on a ranking to see if the school is the best match for your child, but also look at other factors. Most of the same criteria that you would use to evaluate a middle school in Portland will apply to an elementary school (i.e., class size, teaching style, support for students, community involvement). You can use the steps below to help you choose an elementary school that will work well for your child.
- Visit the school and talk with teachers and staff
- Look at academic performance & test scores
- See if the school provides student support services such as special education and/or counseling.
- Evaluate the school culture, values, and classroom environment
- Determine transportation options and how long it will take you to get your child to school.
These steps will assist parents with being more confident and informed in their decision-making process.
Enrollment Schedule and Application Information
If you’re considering applying to an elementary school in Portland, you need to be familiar with the registration process. Registration processes may differ between school districts; however, most families should plan ahead.
- Family members should attend school open houses to find out more about the school’s programs.
- Carefully review the application due date.
- Educate yourself on whether lottery or school choice applies to the school your child wants to attend.
- Prepare the necessary documentation, such as proof of residency, a record of immunizations, and a birth certificate.
Being organized throughout this registration process can help ease your child into their new school and make the transition to your child’s new school as easy and as seamless as possible.F
Conclusion
The best elementary schools located in Portland have many types of learning environments. From small neighborhood schools to large campuses offering multiple program options, Portland has great places to get your child a quality education!
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