Oregon is home to the world’s largest independent bookstore, Powell’s. The store sits on over 1.6 acres of retail space and has over a million copies of new, old, and rare books. The residents’ appreciation for reading and education is evident in the numerous top-rated institutions in the state. Oregon has 1,194 public schools, 138 public charter schools, and 2,329 private schools serving K-12 students.
Finding the right school can make all the difference in a student's academic and personal growth. But what makes a school good? Factors such as student achievement, teacher quality, facilities, and extracurricular opportunities play a role. Additionally, each student's needs and preferences are unique. That means that the right school for one student may not be the best fit for another.
With this in mind, we've researched and compiled a list of the top-rated schools in Oregon. Our methodology includes factors such as academic performance, diversity, parent review, GreatSchools.org test ranking, and student satisfaction.
Without further ado, let's dive in and explore the top ten schools in Oregon ranked in ascending order.
Best Elementary Schools
Bethany Charter School
11824 Hazelgreen Road Northeast, Silverton, OR 97381
Bethany Charter School is a public charter school located in Silver Falls School District 4j, serving students in grades K-8. The school has a student enrollment of 137 and a student-teacher ratio of 26:1, slightly higher than the state average. The school's curriculum focuses on natural sciences and technology. Further, that focus is enriched with art, physical education, and music, in a small school atmosphere.
GreatSchools.org rates Bethany Charter School with a perfect 10/10 rating. The rating highlights the school's commitment to academic excellence and character education. The school's standardized test scores are far above the state average. Specifically, 61% of students are proficient in math and 71% are proficient in English.
Parents rave about the school, with one parent describing it as an “excellent school!” They also appreciate the school as a great place for kids to learn while still having fun, the enjoyable experience the teachers provide, and the strong parent involvement.
The academically rigorous learning environment, alongside strong family and community support, makes Bethany Charter School one of the best K-8 schools in Oregon.
Pratum Elementary School
8995 Sunnyview Road Northeast, Salem, OR 97305
Pratum Elementary School is a public school in the Silver Falls School District 4j. The school serves students in grades 1 through 8. The school has a small student body of 75, which allows for a personalized learning experience. Pratum Elementary School is highly rated by GreatSchools.org, earning a perfect 10/10 rating.
Students at Pratum Elementary School excel on standardized tests, with test scores above the state average in math and English. 78% of students attain proficiency in English, while 75% attain proficiency in math. Additionally, the school has a high Algebra 1 participation rate of 33%, with all students passing the course.
The student-teacher ratio at Pratum Elementary School is 21:1, which is slightly higher than the state average. However, all full-time teachers at the school are certified and have at least three years of teaching experience.
Parents of students at the school praise the teachers and principal, noting the personalized attention and care their children receive. The school is a hidden gem in Salem, with a reputation for academic excellence and a nurturing learning environment.
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Victor Point Elementary School
1175 Victor Point Road Southeast, Silverton, OR 97381
Victor Point Elementary School is a public school located in Silverton, OR, serving kindergarten through 8th-grade students. With an enrollment of 221 students, the school offers a warm and supportive learning environment where children can grow and thrive. According to GreatSchools.org, the school receives an overall rating of 10/10.
Most Victor Point Elementary School students perform at or above grade level in standardized tests. Students outperform the state average in both English and math, with 80% achieving proficiency in English and 76% in math. Additionally, the school has an impressive 8% participation rate in algebra 1, with a 100% pass rate.
The school has a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, slightly higher than the state average. However, all full-time teachers are certified and have at least three years of experience. Students at Victor Point Elementary School can be assured that they receive a high-quality education from dedicated and experienced educators.
Its commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and inclusivity, combined with the dedication of its teachers, make Victor Point Elementary a top-performing school in the Silver Falls School District 4j.
Riverdale Grade School
11733 South Breyman Avenue, Portland, OR 97219
Riverdale Grade School is a public school located in the Riverdale School District 51j, serving students in grades K-8. The school has 400 students and is known for its exceptional academic performance. The school is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential. In fact, it's received a 10/10 overall rating from GreatSchools.org.
The school's standardized test scores are far above the state average. Students perform better in math and English there than students across the state. Specifically, 88% of students attained proficiency in English and 95% in math, according to GreatSchools.org. The project-based curriculum incorporates integrated arts to engage students and promote creativity.
The student-teacher ratio is 17:1, ensuring that students receive personalized attention and support from their teachers. All full-time teachers at Riverdale Grade School are certified and have at least three years of experience.
Riverdale Grade School is an exceptional public school committed to academic excellence, personalized attention, and inclusivity. The school's engaging faculty, integrated arts curriculum, and welcoming community make it an exciting and energetic place for students to learn and grow.
Best Middle Schools
Skyline Elementary School
11536 Northwest Skyline Boulevard, Portland, OR 97231
Skyline Elementary School is in Portland School District 1j. It is a public school nested in the hills overlooking the Tualatin Valley and Northwest Portland. It caters to students in grades 6-8. The school has 274 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, which is slightly better than the state average.
Skyline’s integrated curriculum includes a variety of courses and programs. Those include world language courses in Spanish, art courses like ceramics, music courses like band, and performance arts courses like drama.
Skyline Elementary School has a 10/10 overall rating from GreatSchools.org, a testament to the school's excellent academic performance. The school's standardized test scores are far above the state average. 70% of students attain proficiency in English and 61% do so in math.
According to a parent review, the staff at Skyline Elementary School works hard to create a respectful and safe environment where children are continually challenged to bring their best selves to school each day. The parents also appreciate the IB program, which teaches critical thinking from kindergarten.
Skyline Elementary provides a stimulating learning environment for students, making it one of the best middle schools to enroll in Oregon.
Three Rivers Charter School
2565 Southwest Ek Road, West Linn, OR 97068
Three Rivers Charter School is a public charter school serving students in grades 4-8 in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. The school has a small student population of 112. With that, Three Rivers prides itself on offering personalized education and catering to the unique needs of each student.
Three Rivers Charter School performs exemplary in standardized tests. Test scores at this school are far above the state average, with 91% of students attaining proficiency in English and 94% gaining proficiency in math.
The school highlights that its academic program is based on three cornerstones: genuine relationships, academic individualization, and personal rigor. The teachers at Three Rivers believe that each student carries a unique set of talents that should be nurtured. The curriculum is also tiered to present students with challenging material and critical experiences.
Three Rivers Charter School has a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, just below the state average of 20:1. Additionally, 83% of teachers have at least three years of experience, and 100% of full-time teachers are certified.
Parents commend the school for creating an environment that promotes academic excellence and community feeling. They also describe the school administration as dedicated and idealistic.
Three Rivers Charter School’s small student population and impressive record of academic achievement make it an excellent choice for families living in Fort Bragg/Mendocino.
Choosing the right school for your child can help start them out on the path to success!
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Sand Ridge Charter School
30581 Sodaville Mountain Home Road, Lebanon, OR 97355
Sand Ridge Charter School is a public charter school in Lebanon, OR, within the Lebanon Community School District. It serves students in grades K-8 and has a student body of 332. The school receives a 10/10 rating from GreatSchools.org, reflecting Sand Ridge’s excellent academic standards.
Students at the school score highly in standardized test scores, with 94% of students attaining proficiency in English and 97% in math. Additionally, the Algebra 1 course, with a participation rate of 38%, had a 100% pass rate.
Sand Ridge Charter School offers a curriculum that emphasizes “back-to-basics” through a combination of solid Core-Knowledge, Riggs Institute, and Saxon Mathematics curricula. The school also prides itself on maintaining small classroom sizes to provide a personalized education that meets each student’s unique needs.
The school boasts of a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, lower than the state’s average of 20:1. Additionally, Sand Ridge employs experienced teachers, with 74% of faculty members having three years or more of teaching experience and 84% being full-time certified teachers.
Parents at the school praise the school's caring and dedicated teachers, supportive staff, and engaged parental involvement. Sand Ridge Charter School is an excellent choice for parents seeking a quality education for their children in a small, supportive, and nurturing environment.
Best High Schools
School of Science & Technology
18640 Northwest Walker Road, Beaverton, OR 97006
The School of Science & Technology is a public magnet school in Beaverton, OR. The school is part of the Beaverton School District 48j and educates students from grades 9 to 12. With an enrollment of 162 students, the School of Science & Technology is relatively small, allowing teachers to provide personalized attention to each student.
The school has consistently performed above the state average in standardized tests, with 83% of students attaining proficiency in English and 75% in math. Further, the School of Science and Technology boasts a 97% high school graduation rate.
The School of Science & Technology offers a range of advanced placement courses. Further, 55% of students participate in these courses. These courses include AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP US History, AP Government, AP Literature, AP Language, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus AB.
The school offers over 20 different clubs and associations, including Computer Club, Science Ambassadors Club, Metal Club, and Science Fair Club, allowing students to explore interests outside the classroom.
The student-teacher ratio at the School of Science & Technology is 21:1, slightly higher than the state average of 20:1. However, all of the school's full-time teachers are certified and have at least three years of experience, ensuring a high quality of teaching. The school also has a full-time law enforcement officer and security guard.
With a strong emphasis on STEM education, the School of Science and Technology is an excellent pick for students looking to prepare for college and succeed in their future careers. With that focus, it's also unique among the best schools in Oregon.
Ukiah School
201 Hill Street, Ukiah, OR 97880
Ukiah School is a public school in the small town of Ukiah, OR. It serves students grades K-12 and prides itself on providing personalized education to its 30 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, students benefit from a lot of individual attention and teacher support. The school received a 10/10 rating from GreatSchools.org.
Ukiah School strongly emphasizes academics and encourages students to enroll in Dual Enrollment classes, with 50% of students in grades 9-12 participating in such courses. These courses allow students to earn college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start on their higher education journey. The school has a 100% graduation rate.
Despite its small size, Ukiah School offers students a range of opportunities, including the chance to participate in official sports teams such as basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball. The school also organizes an annual ski and snowboarding program. In addition to sports, the school offers a variety of academic-focused programs and clubs, including the Technology Student Association (TSA), Vex Robotics, and Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).
Ukiah School provides students with a unique and personalized education, focusing on academics and extracurricular activities. Its small size and close-knit community make it an excellent school choice for families in Ukiah.
St. Paul High School
20449 Main Street Northeast, Saint Paul, OR 97137
St. Paul High School is a public school in St. Paul School District 45, located at 20449 Main Street Northeast, Saint Paul, OR 97137. With just 129 students enrolled, the school offers a close-knit community that promotes strong relationships between teachers and their students.
Students’ performance in standardized tests is outstanding. In fact, 70% of students achieved proficiency in English, and 55% attained proficiency in math – both scores well above the state average. GreatSchools.org rated St. Paul High School a perfect 10/10, proof of its excellence in academic performance. The school also boasts a 100% graduation rate and an extensive list of Advanced Placement courses such as AP Calculus AB, AP English Language and Composition, and AP Human Geography. Additionally, 96% of the students are enrolled in Dual Enrollment classes from grades 9-12, which allows them to earn college credits while still in high school. All of these come together to make one of the best high schools in Oregon.
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Finding the Right School for Your Child
Oregon is home to some of the best schools in the country. From large public schools to small rural ones, Oregon offers a wide range of programs and opportunities that can suit each student’s needs and interests. The ten schools on this list are an excellent starting point for anyone looking to find the right school for their child.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Halfpoint.