by Geon, Bryan
The school district website (www.pps.k12.or.us) includes a great deal of information about individual schools (click on “schools” in the horizontal menu) and about school choices, with a handy look-up function to find the neighborhood school for a specific address (www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/enrollment-transfer/6478.htm). Your child is guaranteed a spot at your neighborhood school. The Enrollment and Transfer Center is a great resource; send an email to [email protected] or call 503-916-3205.
Registration
To register your child, go to your assigned neighborhood school or approved transfer school. (Keep in mind that the school that is closest or most convenient to your residence may not necessarily be your neighborhood school.) Call first to make sure the staff member you need to see will be available, and bring the following documents:
A completed Student Registration form, available in hard copy from the school or online at www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/enrollment-transfer/6808.htm.
Proof of the student’s age (e.g., a birth certificate or passport). Children who are five years or older by September 1 may enroll in kindergarten.
Records of immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, chicken pox, polio, hemophilus influenza type B (HiB), mumps, measles, and rubella, unless you are seeking an exemption for religious or medical reasons. There are specific requirements for each grade level.
Proof of residence: You must provide two or more recent documents showing your name and current home address, such as utility bills, credit card bills, a rental agreement, or the deed to your home. A driver’s license is not acceptable to show proof of residence.
The name and contact information for any previous school your child attended outside the Portland Public Schools district.
You can register at any time, but it is better for everyone (including your child) if you register as early as possible. Most schools hold informational meetings and provide tours for prospective parents during the winter months.
Transfers
If you would prefer that your child attend a school other than your neighborhood school, you can apply for a transfer. Transfer applications are due in late winter. Popular schools generally have more transfer applications than open slots, and applicants are selected by lottery in the spring; in an average year, more than three-quarters of applicants get into one of their top choices, if not necessarily their first choice. A few schools, particularly those with new and expanding programs, including language immersion programs, may have spaces available in select grades until late August. (Be aware that, as a newcomer and given the timetable for transfer requests, your child will likely have to attend your neighborhood school initially unless he or she is not yet school age.) For details about the transfer process, visit www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/enrollment-transfer/schoolchoice.htm or call the Enrollment and Transfer Center at 503-916-3205.
Magnet Schools and Language Immersion Programs
Portland has several magnet and charter schools that concentrate on arts, math and science, or other disciplines; contact the school district for specifics. In addition, language immersion programs are available in Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. (The Mandarin kindergarten-to-college immersion program, which begins at Woodstock Elementary School and continues at Hosford Middle School, Cleveland High School, and the University of Oregon, was the first of its kind in the United States.) For more information, contact the Portland Public Schools Immersion Coordinator at 503-916-6255.
Suburban District Schools
The suburban districts in the Portland area defy generalization. Some are huge, with thousands of students, and others are tiny; some have sparkling new facilities and adequate budgets, others have frankly decrepit buildings and are struggling financially; some have some of the highest test scores and graduation rates in the state or country, and others—well, not so much. In fact, school conditions and academic performance can vary dramatically not only between but within districts, so research is in order.
Registration procedures are fairly uniform throughout the Portland area—go to the appropriate school and present an enrollment form, proof of residence, immunization records, proof of the child’s age, and prior school contact information. Contact your school district for specific enrollment requirements and information.
The following are the main school districts in the four-county metropolitan area:
Oregon
Beaverton School District
16650 SW Merlo Rd
Beaverton, OR 97006
503-591-8000
www.beaverton.k12.or.us
The Beaverton School District, the third-largest in the state, educates more than 39,000 students from the city of Beaverton, part of Tigard, and many of the surrounding unincorporated areas of Washington County (and a tiny portion of Multnomah County). The district as a whole has a very good reputation—its overall academic performance is among the best of the state’s large school districts—although some schools are much better than others. In addition to the standard offerings at its 33 elementary, 8 middle, and 5 high schools, the district has a wide range of “option” schools, including the International School, which is part of the International Baccalaureate program; the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy for grades 6–12; a Science and Technology High School; and a Health & Science School for grades 6–12, which follows the “Expeditionary Learning” model.
Canby School District
1130 S Ivy St
Canby, OR 97013
503-266-7861
www.canby.k12.or.us
The Canby School District has more than 5,000 students from Canby and much of the surrounding (primarily rural) area, including the Charbonneau District of Wilsonville.
Centennial School District
18135 SE Brooklyn St
Portland, OR 97236
503-760-7990
www.centennial.k12.or.us
This jurisdiction-busting district containing 10 schools plus an alternative school for grades 7–12 serves outer Southeast Portland, western Gresham, and portions of unincorporated Multnomah and Clackamas counties.
Corbett School District
35800 E Historic Columbia River Hwy
Corbett, OR 97019
503-261-4200
www.corbett.k12.or.us
This tiny, highly regarded 1,100-student district in eastern Multnomah County has one elementary, one middle, one high school, and one charter school, all at the same location, plus an offsite K–8 arts with Spanish program. The high school has an impressive Advanced Placement program and is generally considered to be one of the best schools in the state.
David Douglas School District
1500 SE 130th Ave
Portland, OR 97233
503-252-2900
www.ddouglas.k12.or.us
The David Douglas School District serves more than 10,000 students in a large swath of East Portland (east of Interstate 205 and west of the Centennial School District). This part of the city is experiencing significant immigration from Mexico, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia, and district enrollment is growing at a rapid rate. Roughly one-quarter of students are English language learners. David Douglas High, with some 2,700 students, has the largest enrollment in the state.
Forest Grove School District
1728 Main St
Forest Grove, OR 97116
503-357-6171
www.fgsd.k12.or.us
The Forest Grove School District covers 200 square miles in the city of Forest Grove, part of the adjacent city of Cornelius, and nearby unincorporated areas. It educates 5,800 students.
Gladstone School District
17789 Webster Rd
Gladstone, OR 97027
503-655-2777
www.gladstone.k12.or.us
The Gladstone School District largely (but not entirely) corresponds with the boundaries of the city of Gladstone. With one elementary, one middle, and one high school (which has only about 730 students), this is on
e of the smallest suburban districts.
Gresham-Barlow School District
1331 NW Eastman Pkwy
Gresham, OR 97030
503-261-4550
district.gresham.k12.or.us
The Gresham-Barlow school district serves a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse student population in much (but not all) of Gresham and the new city of Damascus. The district has nearly 12,000 students in 22 schools (including three charter schools); performance varies from school to school.
Hillsboro School District
3083 NE 49th Pl
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-844-1500
www.hsd.k12.or.us
The fourth-largest district in Oregon, Hillsboro School District educates more than 20,000 students in much of western Washington County; in addition to the city of Hillsboro, the district includes all or part of North Plains, Cornelius, and unincorporated areas from Aloha south to the edge of Sherwood. There are 25 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools (as well as an alternative school and a charter school). As one might expect, school performance and offerings vary substantially within the district. Hillsboro High (aka Hilhi) has an International Baccalaureate program.
Lake Oswego School District
2455 Country Club Rd, PO Box 70
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-534-2000
www.loswego.k12.or.us
This well-funded, sought-after district includes six elementary schools, two junior high schools, and two high schools. The district boasts some of the highest test scores and high school graduation rates in the state.
North Clackamas School District
4444 SE Lake Rd
Milwaukie, OR 97222
503-353-6000
www.nclack.k12.or.us
North Clackamas School District extends from Milwaukie and Oak Grove in the west to Happy Valley and Sunnyside in the east. Schools within the district vary widely in quality, from excellent to mediocre at best.
Oregon City School District
1417 12th St
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-785-8000
www.orecity.k12.or.us
This sprawling district encompasses Oregon City and large sections of unincorporated Clackamas County, including Jennings Lodge, Beavercreek, and Redland.
Parkrose School District
10636 NE Prescott St
Portland, OR 97220
503-408-2100
www.parkrose.k12.or.us
The Parkrose School District can trace its origins to the 1880s. Today, it serves a smallish area of Northeast Portland, primarily east of Interstate 205, with four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.
Reynolds School District
1204 NE 201st Ave
Fairview, OR 97024
503-661-7200
www.reynolds.k12.or.us
Reynolds School District serves the east Multnomah County cities of Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village, as well as portions of outer Northeast Portland and northern Gresham. Reynolds High, the district’s only high school, has the second-highest enrollment in the state.
Riverdale School District
11733 SW Breyman Ave
Portland, OR 97219
503-262-4840
www.riverdaleschool.com
Riverdale School District serves perhaps the most affluent area in Oregon, and test scores, graduation rates, and college attendance prospects are correspondingly high. Riverdale Grade School serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade; older students attend Riverdale High School, located near Lewis and Clark College in Portland.
Sherwood School District
23295 SW Main St
Sherwood, OR 97140
503-825-5000
www.sherwood.k12.or.us
This generally well-regarded school district in southwestern Washington County has three elementary schools (plus a charter school), two middle schools, and one high school.
Tigard-Tualatin School District
6960 SW Sandburg St
Tigard, OR 97223
503-431-4000
ttsdschools.org
Tigard-Tualatin School District, which covers most of the cities of Tigard and Tualatin, as well as the surrounding communities of Durham, Bull Mountain, and Metzger, is one of the most sought-after districts in the state. Average student performance, school ratings, and test scores are generally high throughout the district. Both of the district’s high schools—Tigard High School and Tualatin High School—offer International Baccalaureate programs.
West Linn–Wilsonville School District
22210 SW Stafford Rd
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-673-7000
www.wlwv.k12.or.us
The West Linn–Wilsonville School District covers the two non-adjacent cities of West Linn and (most of) Wilsonville, as well as the unincorporated areas that lie between them. This well-regarded district has nine elementary schools, three middle schools (two in West Linn and one in Wilsonville), and a high school in each city, along with a grades 4–8 charter school and the Arts & Technology High School.
Washington
Battle Ground Public Schools
11104 NE 49th St
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
360-885-5300
www.battlegroundps.org
Battle Ground Public Schools has some 11,000 students in Battle Ground and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Clark County, including parts of Brush Prairie, Amboy, and Yacolt.
Camas School District
841 NE 22nd Ave
Camas, WA 98607
360-335-3000
www.camas.wednet.edu
The growing Camas School District, one of the most sought-after districts in Southwest Washington, serves the city of Camas and part of unincorporated Clark County. The district has six elementary schools, two middle schools, and a new high-tech high school.
Evergreen Public Schools
13501 NE 28th St
Vancouver, WA 98668
360-604-4000
www.evergreenps.org
The generally well-regarded Evergreen Public Schools system serves the eastern half of Vancouver and much of nearby unincorporated Clark County. The district has more than 26,000 students, and is the fourth-largest school district in Washington. Mountain View High, one of six high schools in the district, offers 24 Advanced Placement classes (one of the highest totals in the Northwest).
Hockinson School District
17912 NE 159th Ave
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
360-448-6400
www.hocksd.org
This largely rural district includes most of Brush Prairie and parts of the surrounding areas of unincorporated Clark County, and offers one elementary, one middle, and one high school.
Vancouver School District
2901 Falk Rd
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-313-1000
www.vansd.org
The Vancouver School District educates more than 22,000 children in the western half of the city of Vancouver and a large chunk of unincorporated Clark County. The district has several magnet schools, including the Vancouver School of Arts & Academics, which boasts a 99% graduation rate.
Washougal School District
4855 Evergreen Way
Washougal, WA 98671
360-954-3000
www.washougal.k12.wa.us
Washougal’s school district boundaries encompass not just the area within city limits, but also a sizeable portion of the rural Columbia Gorge eastward into Skamania County. The district has three elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools (including an alternative high school).
Private and Parochial Schools
The Portland area is home to many excellent private and parochial schools. The following are some of the better known (but by no means the only) private schools in the region.
Catlin Gabel School (P–12), 8825 SW Barnes Rd, 503-297-1894
, www.catlin.edu
Central Catholic High School (9–12), 2401 SE Stark St, 503-235-3138, www.centralcatholichigh.org
French American International School (P–8), 8500 NW Johnson St, 503-292-7776, www.faispdx.org
German American School of Portland (P–5), 3900 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, 503-626-9089, www.gspdx.org
The International School (P–5), 025 SW Sherman St, 503-226-2496, www.intlschool.org
Jesuit High School (9–12), 9000 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, 503-292-2663, www.jesuitportland.org
La Salle Catholic College Preparatory (9–12), 11999 SE Fuller Rd, Milwaukie, 503-659-4155, www.lsprep.org
L’Etoile French School (P-5), 68 SW Miles St, 503-715-1258, www.letoilefrenchschool.com
Northwest Academy (6–12), 1130 SW Main St, 503-223-3367, www.nwacademy.org
Oregon Episcopal School (P–12), 6300 SW Nicol Rd, 503-246-7771, www.oes.edu
Portland Jewish Academy (P–8), 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, 503-244-0126, www.portlandjewishacademy.org
Portland Waldorf School (P–12), 2300 Harrison St, Milwaukie, 503-654-2200, www.portlandwaldorf.org
St. Mary’s Academy (9–12), 1615 SW 5th Ave, 503-228-8306, www.stmaryspdx.org
Summa Academy (K-8), 2510 SW 1st Ave, 503-287-1785, summainstitute.org
A complete list of nonpublic schools in Oregon is available in the Oregon Department of Education’s Oregon School Directory (www.ode.state.or.us/pubs/directory/), and in Washington from the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Office of Private Education (www.k12.wa.us/PrivateEd/).
Homeschooling
Parents who have misgivings about public schools have the right to take their children’s education into their own hands. Many parents believe that they are best qualified to design an educational program that will engage and challenge their children, responding to each child’s unique psychological and intellectual traits. Homeschooling is especially popular among strongly religious parents who object to the secular nature of public schools, and among liberal parents who object to, among other things, public schools’ increasing reliance on corporate sponsorship.
