It’s critical for your child to attend the right school during their middle school years because middle school is one of the most formative years of your child’s educational experience. Not only will these formative years impact how well they perform academically, but they will also greatly influence their social skills and development to be a well-rounded learner as an adult. There are many options available in the Portland, Oregon area, including some strong public schools and a number of private and specialty programs that emphasize academics, arts, and the overall well-being of the child.
The purpose of this guide is to assist parents in selecting a school for their children by highlighting the features that make these schools unique and provide assistance with determining which school is the most appropriate for them.
Portland is also known for having a community-based approach to teaching. Many of the schools in the Portland area focus on creating a safe and nurturing place for all of their children to learn and develop socially and academically. Because of these characteristics, many parents will look at a wide range of criteria when considering schools, including academic achievement, class size, quality of teaching, extracurricular activities, and distance from their home when determining which school is the best fit for their child.
The Top 5 Traits of a Great Middle School
Families want several characteristics from their child’s middle school, including:
- A good reputation for providing a high-quality curriculum and producing good academic results.
- An acceptable number of teachers per student to provide adequate support to each child.
- A range of support services for children with disabilities or other learning styles.
- A wide range of extracurricular programs that include sports, art, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
- A positive culture at school that contributes to parent involvement and creates a feeling of belonging.
#The very best middle schools in Portland, OR help children prepare academically and develop emotionally (mentally and socially) so that they can successfully move on to high school.
Most Popular Portland Middle Schools
The city of Portland offers many well-respected middle schools, receiving a lot of praise from both educators and parents. The best of these schools have dedicated teachers, a commitment to educational excellence, and plenty of opportunities to participate in enrichment activities. Many of these middle schools tend to offer varying levels of academic rigor, foreign language courses, and hands-on experiences to help keep the students’ interest level high.
Some of the Portland area’s middle schools focus their educational programs primarily on project-based learning, while the other schools’ programs emphasize traditional learning methods along with strong music or athletic programs. A visit to each school’s campus, or an attendance at an open house event can assist the parent in determining which school fits his/her child’s learning style.
1. Beaumont Middle School
- Address: 4043 NE Fremont St. in Portland, OR 97212
- 29 teachers work full-time.
- There are 15 students for every teacher.
- Total Number of Students: 434
People think highly of Beaumont Middle School because its class sizes are balanced and the school is a good place to learn. With a fairly low student-to-teacher ratio, students get more one-on-one attention, which helps them do better in school during the middle school years.
2. Middle School Gray
- Address: 5505 SW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97239
- Teachers who work full-time: 24
- There is one teacher for every twenty students.
- There are 471 students in all.
Gray Middle School has a wide range of students and a well-organized academic environment. The school helps students make the transition from elementary to high school by providing consistent instruction and student support services.
3. Jackson Middle School
- Address: Portland, OR 97219, 10625 SW 35th
- There are 36 full-time teachers.
- There are 20 students for every teacher.
- There are 710 students in total.
Jackson Middle School is one of the bigger schools on this list, and it offers a lot of academic and extracurricular activities. The school is big enough to offer a variety of programs while still keeping the learning environment stable.
4. Middle School Hosford
- Address: 2303 SE 28th Pl, Portland, OR 97214
- There are 26 full-time teachers.
- 20 students for every teacher
- 517 students in all
People know that Hosford Middle School has a community-focused atmosphere and high academic standards. Families often like that the school is involved with both students and parents.
5. Middle School da Vinci
- Address: Portland, OR 97232, 2508 NE Everett
- There are 24 full-time teachers.
- There are 17 students for every teacher.
- There are 406 students in total.
Da Vinci Middle School puts a lot of emphasis on both academics and creativity. Its moderate number of students and good student-to-teacher ratio help make a space where students feel supported and free to follow their interests.
6. Cedar Park Middle School
- Address: Portland, OR 11100 SW Park Way
- There are 36 full-time teachers.
- There are 18 students for every teacher.
- There are 645 students in total.
Alta Sierra Intermediate is one of the bigger schools on this list. It has about 1,355 students and a 23:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school is in Clovis and serves a growing community. It offers a wide range of academic programs. Because it is so big, it has a wide range of electives, sports, and student groups that support different interests and ways of learning.
You can read more about this school here.
7. Middle School Harriet Tubman
- Address: 2231 N Flint, Portland, OR 97227
- There are 25 full-time teachers.
- There are 13 students for every teacher.
- Number of Students: 321
Harriet Tubman Middle School is unique because it has a low student-to-teacher ratio, which lets teachers give more personalized lessons. A smaller number of students helps create a close-knit school community and stronger relationships between students and teachers.
8. Kellogg Middle School
- Address: 3330 SE 69th Ave, Portland, OR 97206
- There are 43 full-time teachers.
- There are 16 students for every teacher.
- There are 677 students in total.
Kellogg Middle School is one of the biggest middle schools in Portland. It has a lot of academic and extracurricular activities. The school does a good job of balancing class size and helping with learning.
How to Choose Among the Best Middle Schools in Portland
To determine the Best Middle Schools in Portland, parents should use the information below as guidelines. Use multiple resources such as visiting each campus, checking class size, class structure, school culture, and support services to help you make an educated choice. Each school has its own strengths that can differ based on what children may need or how they learn.
Conclusion
There are outstanding middle schools in all areas of Portland, with many ways to successfully educate your child. Depending on what your family values (smaller class sizes, larger programs or community oriented schools) you will find ways among the Best Middle Schools in Portland to meet both your child’s educational needs and personal development.
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