2019 Best Magnet Schools in the Portland AreaAbout this List

School of Science & Technology

• Beaverton School District, OR
• 9-12
• 36

Senior: My enrollment into SST completely shattered my previous experiences in school. Throughout all my years in SST, I have never been to a school with a more closely knit support group of teachers, administrators, parents, and students than this one. Despite SST's small number of students and teachers to match, compared to larger high schools, our community ensures that everyone feels welcomed and treated fairly regardless of their social background. Although SST is a great school in every aspect, there are a couple things that could make it even better. A major drawback to SST is that it virtually has no physical education or a legitimate sports team, besides ultimate frisbee. In my opinion, to give SST students a more healthier 4 years in high school, there needs to be a physical education elective.
Read 36 Reviews

• A+

• 159 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

International School of Beaverton - High School

• Beaverton School District, OR
• 6-12
• 124

Senior: At the International School of Beaverton, the curriculum offered here is very challenging especially when it comes to junior year which is the start of the IB Diploma Program. I have found that a major problem with the school is that the teachers grade at a level even higher than an IB examiner would. Their reasoning behind it is that it would make IB exams and college a lot less challenging but in reality, it drops everyone's GPA and makes it very hard to have a solid GPA to get into more prestigious Ivy league schools. I think that overall, this school has a very high academics level and it does prepare us well for the challenges coming up, but I would love to see the teachers take it a little easier on the grader so that it wouldn't be only that one person who gets a perfect GPA at the end of the semester.
Read 124 Reviews

• A+

• 884 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Vancouver School of Arts & Academics

• Vancouver School District, WA
• 6-12
• 90

Senior: Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (VSAA) is recognized as having excellent programs in the arts, and I believe this is true. For students who are interested in literary arts, visual art, theatre, dance, moving image arts, and music, VSAA certainly has the capacity to fuel and inspire that passion. The teachers in the arts programs are highly trained and professional. Most students form close personal bonds with their arts teachers that last beyond high school. I feel like I have become a more versatile and informed artist because of my experiences at VSAA. Academically, VSAA has many excellent teachers as well, particularly in the humanities. However, VSAA does have limited options when it comes to AP classes. Hopefully the selection broadens in future years. The student culture at VSAA sometimes feels close-minded and lacking in diversity of opinions. Apart from that, the students tend to be kind, intelligent, and creative people.
Read 90 Reviews

• A

• 600 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Health & Science School

• Beaverton School District, OR
• 6-12
• 73

Senior: Over the seven years that I have attended HS2, so much has changed. The resources we have gotten in recent years has really helped with both the middle school and high school programs. I love that it's such a small school, and that I can have great relationships with all of my teachers. A lot of the people I will be graduating with started sixth grade with me, and the teacher that will be onstage at my graduation will have taught me for five of my seven year career, beginning in my first period in sixth grade. The community of the school can really be felt, though at times students could be more involved in what is going on in the whole school.
Read 73 Reviews

• A

• 702 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Richmond Elementary School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• PK, K-5

• A-

• 630 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sojourner School

• North Clackamas School District, OR
• K-5

• B+

• 167 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Vancouver iTech Preparatory

• Vancouver School District, WA
• 6-12
• 14

Senior: It is a well organized and close school that gives students interested in the Stem field a chance to understand what Stem is and any interests in the field. The smaller school always close connections with both teachers and students, overall creating a more enjoyable school environment. On top of this, the school provides internship opportunities, 1 on 1 help and project based learning to better your communication and presentation skills.
Read 14 Reviews

• B+

• 364 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Metropolitan Learning Center

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• K-12
• 21

Parent: MLC is a very nourishing environment. We have a Kindergartener there and I am blown away by the curriculum. Lots of experiential learning opportunities, art, and social justice focus which is exactly what we were looking for in a school. Social emotional growth is huge here. My child is so excited to go to school. He is only in Kindergarten but so far the community is wonderful and he is learning so much.
Read 21 Reviews

• B+

• 426 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Da Vinci Middle School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• 6-8

• B+

• 458 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alliance High School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• 9-12
• 40

Senior: It is a good school that really helps you get on track for graduation. Not only do they help you while you're in school, but they help you with your future such as grants, scholarships, and jobs.
Read 40 Reviews

• B+

• 176 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arts & Communication Magnet Academy (ACMA) High School

• Beaverton School District, OR
• 6-12
• 84

Freshman: I absolutely love this school- I have no complaints. Feels like a second home to me, as well as everyone else. All students support each other and create expressive art. I haven’t met one person who hasn’t fallen in love with ACMA!
Read 84 Reviews

• B+

• 718 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Creative Science School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• K-8
• 5

Parent: Love the constructivist focus, the close knit community, and parent involvement. The teachers know the kids really well and strive to create a safe and accepting learning environment. My child loves his school and is passionate about his work in the classroom. He has learned empathy and patience from his teachers and peers. We love this school.
Read 5 Reviews

• B

• 476 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Benson Polytechnic High School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• 9-12
• 175

Alum: Benson is a very good school, especially for individuals interested in the STEM fields. I was a Health Sciences student and I can say that Benson thoroughly prepared me for my future college classes. If your goal is the Health field, architecture, Engineering, or any other technical career; Benson is the perfect choice for you!
Read 175 Reviews

• B

• 914 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

El Puente Bilingual Elementary School

• North Clackamas School District, OR
• K-5

• C+

• 228 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jefferson High School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• 9-12
• 82

Senior: Jefferson gave me the opportunity to pursue a career in 3D art, and get college credits through its middle college program. All the teachers genuinely care and reach out to there students, and the students are all really nice and open to everyone. Our school being a majority black school was never properly cared for, and because of that our water fountains had high levels of lead. Now all the water fountains are closed and students don’t have easy access to water, a thing that all students should have.
Read 82 Reviews

• C+

• 522 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Community School

• Beaverton School District, OR
• 9-12
• 4

Niche User: This school was by far the best high school I could have attended. The classrooms were the perfect size(~10 students per class). The teachers always had personal time for all of their students. We didn't have to go to school on Monday but if you needed one on one time with one of your teachers, they were there for you. It had the high school vibe but in a smaller, more relaxed way. I would definitely chose this school again. I got the high school experience but in a calmer way. No extra unneeded stress.
Read 4 Reviews

• C+

• 162 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cecile Trost Elementary School

• Canby School District, OR
• K-6
• 1

Parent: Fantastic staff! They are so nice and very helpful, the music teacher I especially wonderful. The bilingual education gave my child a much more extensive mind and the teachers helped him find a more fun way to learn!
Read 1 Review

• C

• 420 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lent Elementary School

• Portland Public Schools, OR
• K-8

• C

• 564 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lewis & Clark High School

• Vancouver School District, WA
• 9-12
• 3

• C-

• 77 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio