2023 Best Charter Schools in the Portland Area

• West Linn-Wilsonville School District, OR•

• 4-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: My 2 children attended TRCS between 2000 to 2005, i.e., the first 4 years of its operation (we took a gap year in Spain for 2002-2003). They were repeatedly challenged, never allowed to slack and the student body had more IEPs (kids with learning issues) than other schools. Our children thrived.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 111

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  15 reviews

Parent: Both my children go to Arco Iris School and we love it here! I can’t say enough good things about how amazing the teachers are and how much they care for each and every student. The teachers and staff are not only fantastic, but they create a wonderful learning environment, and strive to get to know each and every child. The Arco family - teachers, admin, students, and families - is one of a kind! There is a true sense of community and support. Every school has its share of issues and problems, but the admin, staff, board, families, and PTO are constantly working to improve and make this school the best it can be! My kids are excited to go to school each day. It is fantastic watching my children grow and thrive and become more fluent everyday as they learn to speak the language. I am proud to be a part of this small tight-knit family and believe my kids will continue to grow and become well-rounded productive members of society thanks to Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A

• Students 438

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 334

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Sherwood School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  14 reviews

Works Here: This school is extraordinary! Love the teachers and staff! Very creative, hands on curriculum! Each class goes on at least 6 field trips a year to make learning come alive. The teachers are well-planned and organized with outstanding classroom management. The team is very dedicated to every single student and the school has a family feel. The students leave very prepared for high school feeling confident about their abilities.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 212

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Portland Public Schools, OR•

• K-8

• grade A minus

• Students 390

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Tigard-Tualatin School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: We love MITCH! The teachers really care about student success, and work to accommodate individual needs. The curriculum is engaging and applies to things students experience in life each day. Children develop a rich knowledge and vocabulary. We love that they have specials including art, music, P.E., and agriculture. Even during e-learning the teachers and school staff are finding creative ways to connect with and engage learners.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 220

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Portland Public Schools, OR•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  17 reviews

Parent: Amazing teachers, high academic performance, super responsive administration, and small, close-knit community. Great school culture emphasizing curiosity, compassion, and integrity. Two kids at Emerson, both started in Kindergarten, now one in 3rd and one in 5th. No school is perfect, but I have no complaints I'd see fit to write about on Niche.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 138

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Corbett, OR•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  53 reviews

Senior: I started going to Corbett in fifth grade. I left a big public school to go there and I never regretted it. Corbett is pretty small but that just means there are more opportunities to get to know your teachers and for them to get to know you. Corbett focuses on academics more so then sports. Which was really nice because for someone who wanted to learn as much as they could and get college credit a focus on academics was the best thing ever. However One thing that I would want to see change is that almost all the classes are AP which is nice for college credit but for kids that don't care about the college credit or just don't want to take a college level class I think they should have some classes be both AP and Non-AP, with the students split between them that want to be in each of them.... Read 53 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,082

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Portland Public Schools, OR•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 177

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Oregon City School District, OR•

• K-8

• grade B+

• Students 198

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Scappoose School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I love Sauvie. The teachers and administration are incredible. They combine book learning with hands on learning to create an environment for all students to be successful.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 216

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Oregon Department of Education, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: My sons been going here since kindergarten, he’s now in 6th grade. We LOVE it! This school is GREAT! It’s small, community driven with a major emphasis on the outdoors as the kids go out & explore the neighborhood weekly and go on big trips all over the Portland area several times a month. It’s a place based education model. I have had nothing but helpful and communicative teachers and staff when I have questions or concerns. Most of the parents are very involved in volunteering and helping the school in various ways. So far this year is my sons favorite with the best teacher he’s had (in his opinion) which says a lot as we enter the pre teen/teen years. My son is helping me write this review and he says, “the teachers are great and it’s the best school in the world”.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 208

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Forest Grove School District, OR•

• 1-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: The actual learning experiences there were great. it was just difficult being around the same kids for the 6 years I was there. I feel that it stunted my social skills a bit and the transition to high school was socially difficult. I loved getting out and involved with my community on out-and-abouts though!!!... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 203

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Oregon Trail School District, OR•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Alum: Teachers are very invested and present in the student’s academic journey. With a small class and the same teachers, a rhythm is created in each class and bonds form between students and teachers. Teachers understand the difficulty of the IB program and are flexible to use the best teaching methods for each class. The main faults of this school don’t lie with the teaching staff or curriculum, but with the facilities and funding. OTA is in need of renovations.... Read 6 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 292

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• David Douglas School District, OR•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• Students 158

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• North Clackamas School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  80 reviews

Niche User: A very good school. Expect to read a lot if you are going for nursing. The pre req classes will feel like you are teaching yourself, but after pushing yourself and receiving a good grade it's very rewarding. Plus you will feel more confident going into a program after you build good study habits through hard classes. The teachers are sweet and more than willing to help you, but you must make an effort to come to office hours!... Read 80 reviews

• grade B

• Students 276

• Student-teacher ratio 39:1

• Oregon City School District, OR•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.31 out of 5  35 reviews

Freshman: This is a great school. You should come join us! Best school in Oregon, hands down. The teachers are so nice and helpful, and the kids are all great. There are a lot of brilliantly talented and hard working students here, and they all love to study and to be with each other. I have learned so much here, and I will always remember my time with all the great teacher that work here.... Read 35 reviews

• grade B

• Students 385

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Gresham-Barlow School District, OR•

• K-5

• grade B

• Students 170

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• North Clackamas School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B

• Students 229

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Portland Public Schools, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade B

• Students 429

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Oregon Department of Education, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade B

• Students 327

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• St. Helens School District, OR•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B

• Students 201

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Oregon City School District, OR•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: I really liked attending Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences. They give students the chance to learn what it's going it be like in a STEM work environment. They include a lot of group projects and lots of time for student to collaborate together to achieve a solution, just like in a real STEM work environment. Students also get to attend the local community college, Clackamas Community College, to take real college classes and potentially earn an Associates degree while still an high school.... Read 17 reviews

• grade B

• Students 274

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• North Clackamas School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  73 reviews

Sophomore: MAA is the charter school for Milwaukie High School, and don’t be fooled, you can still take classes at Milwaukie (in fact you will have to for many classes). I’m currently heading into my sophomore year and think the connections between MAA and MHS students are lovely and they clash well, with MAA core classes being MAA only and things like health and PE being mixed. Arts lab, an exploration into college level skills, is the only MAA exclusive class. There’s a great diversity of LGBT+ students, though I struggled because a lot of friend groups are closed off at the beginning. The theater program is fantastic and I highly recommend participating!... Read 73 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 290

• Student-teacher ratio 290:1

• Reynolds School District, OR•

• K-6

• grade B minus

• Students 171

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1