2024 Best Districts with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Portland Area

• Lake Oswego, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  40 reviews

Parent: The Lake Oswego School District maintains very high marks across the board versus other public school districts. There is tremendous support from teachers and the administration - if you seek it out. The teachers are incredibly committed to their students. The administration is receptive to feedback. School safety overall is OK, but much like many schools, could be more secure. Athletics are very well supported by the community and often are self-funded without school financial support. There seems to be an activity for all students with different backgrounds and interests.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 12

• Students 6,854

• Portland, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: The Riverdale community has been welcoming to our family even though we do not live “in district”. My three children love their teachers and are learning so much in this warm and supportive environment. We are active in the school community and are happy to have found this amazing school where our kids can flourish for years to come.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 2

• Students 563

• Camas, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  44 reviews

Junior: I'm a high schooler and while it can certainly be improved in many places, I like this district. All of the teachers I've had in my time here have been lovely and I can tell they're genuinely passionate about what they teach. Also, as a queer and neurodivergent person, I generally feel accepted here (for the most part, and I am well aware that just because I haven't experienced much nastiness, it absolutely doesn't mean it's not there and it doesn't invalidate the experiences of those who have). I really like the amount of STEM courses offered at CHS. I wish more money and attention was devoted to the arts, though.... Read 44 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 16

• Students 7,225

• Tualatin, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  39 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at West Linn High School, I made tons of friends, and always loved being a part of the school community. Sporting events and things like powderpuff were a defining part of my experience. I loved being a part of a big school, it meant that you could make a new friend nearly every day. While I loved going to a big school this also meant that sometimes staff was overwhelmed and I would love to see more support for the staff.... Read 39 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 17

• Students 9,126

• Beaverton, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  273 reviews

Junior: This district, no matter how others see it, l believe to be running to the ground. It has for the getting more and more loose, and I feel as though the purpose of the district, (to help provide education for the youth of America) is slowly slipping and watering down. School has become more and more about making it easy for the students, and less about what will actually help the students in the future(that of which being a good work ethic and ability to work under pressure well).... Read 273 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 56

• Students 39,253

• Sherwood, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Sherwood is a fantastic growing town, with a school district that draws young families to the area. It has great programs for all ages, although my personal worst part of the experience was the interaction with the Talented and Gifted program, which did little for me in my time there. I wrote to my representative, Courtney Neron, and my district to hopefully see improvement in Sherwood and across the state. Regardless, Sherwood is a passionate environment with fairly wide range of offerings. The diversity is lacking in the student body, and there is still work to be done regarding minority comfortability and representation within the district.... Read 44 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,921

• Tigard, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  63 reviews

Junior: Most teachers are great. Many seem to like teaching. Some may have certain negative experiences with other students like fights, personally I've never had something bad happen between me and a student but I've seen others have.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 18

• Students 11,764

• Ridgefield, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: The best part about this school district is the community. However one thing that I would like to see change is that there was more open communication with teachers.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 7

• Students 3,846

• Portland, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  65 reviews

Senior: Attending school in the David Douglas School District has been a really fantastic experience. The most special part of my high school experience in particular has been music. Being involved in the band program throughout high school has made every hardship more than worth it. I'm very fortunate to be able to say the worst parts of my high school experience were due to my own poor choices (getting behind on schoolwork and becoming overwhelmed.) The support that the district offers I think is really amazing, and although I didn't really take advantage of these resources while at school, I have seen these resources help so many people. Another thing I love about David Douglas is the staff. Every educator and staff-member I have interacted within the district has been warm and welcoming. I will forever be proud to have grown up within the David Douglas School District!... Read 65 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 14

• Students 8,807

• Gladstone, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  31 reviews

Junior: My favorite part of Gladstone is also one of my least favorite parts. Gladstone is a very small school, with less than 700 students. This creates a strong community where you can develop strong bonds with teachers and students, but the size of the school also limits opportunities.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,748

• Canby, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  22 reviews

Senior: I've been a homeschool student, a charter school student and then a public school student. Canby High is my first experience in the public school system. The best part of my public school experience involves the relationships I have form with some of my teachers and coaches. They are supportive and kind, and I can tell they care about me. The worst part of the experience deals with the foul language that pollutes the learning environment. Their language shows the lack of motivation and respect of students, and it sets a bad tone. If I could make a change, I would higher the standards of communication.... Read 22 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,161

• Vancouver, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  138 reviews

Senior: I've been to five schools since I was in kindergarten and ending as a senior at Mountain View High School. One of the things that made it so enjoyable were the great teachers I've had, especially while I was in high school always giving me the best opportunities to learn and understand the concepts. More specifically the coaching staff for soccer made my high school one of the most memorable, and of course being on the team. Of course, Covid had hit some of my social life a bit my sophomore year but made it accessible for me to understand what online learning was like, which I enjoy quite a bit. I liked Wy'East middle school better than Covington Middle school friend wise, as I felt it was more accepting and easier to get a long with more kids, including the dynamics their versus the divided groups at Covington. Elementary school was great as far as I remember, but after my final year, I am highly appeased with the school district and school I've attended.... Read 138 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 39

• Students 22,847

• Portland, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.49 out of 5  282 reviews

Senior: I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been enrolled in Portland Public Schools ever since I was in Kindergarten. The best part of the Portland Public School's district is the diversity. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to connect with peers who come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Being able to learn from them in addition to learning from my teachers has been such a blessing! This year as I am a senior at McDaniel High School, I am hoping to see more community building develop in the coming years. My school has done a great job of demonstrating inclusivity but there is always room for improvement, and I am looking forward to seeing how the Portland Public School district as a whole grows in McDaniel High School's CREED values; Community, Respect, Education, Equity, and Diversity.... Read 282 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 86

• Students 45,171

• Vancouver, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  108 reviews

Sophomore: I am in the SMT magnet of my school. The teachers in the magnet are phenomenal. My science teacher last year was so extremely passionate about the subjects he taught. He rarely worked from the book, which made class much more enjoyable, and was/is an incredible speaker. You can’t take his eyes off him, it’s like he’s performing. I have a teacher right now who is my engineering teacher. He’s the coach on the Skyview Stormbots. He made me feel welcome when joining the magnet, and when being on the team. All the faculty I’ve met have been supportive and kind. The people you meet while you’re there that aren’t traditional faculty are wonderful too. There is a nurse for a student that is paralyzed from head down who I have befriended. She crocheted me a jellyfish, and we say hello regularly. Things I don’t like about Skyview because of the lockers. I have so many supplies I need for all of my classes, and yet there are no lockers even though other schools in the school districts have them... Read 108 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 41

• Students 21,617

• La Center, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: La Center has an amazing, courageous school board who have taken a pro-family stance that has been proven to improve student education. La Center is a role model for us all!... Read 8 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,703

• Hillsboro, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  151 reviews

Alum: My experience in this school district was positive as I joined the district as a freshman in high school and was quickly welcomed. The sports provided allowed for me to meet many people before school even started! Besides from sports, I was involved in leadership which allowed for meeting many more people. Leadership lead to many opportunities whether it be meeting people in the community or even those outside the community. I got to meet many people in the district whether it be from other high schools, feeder schools, admin center people, etc. I am lucky to be in leadership and be able to meet these people. The district did try hard to focus on listening to student voices so I have to acknowledge that, however, no thing is perfect so there is always place for improvement.... Read 151 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 36

• Students 19,044

• Brush Prairie, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: I've had a good experience with Hockinson. I started 5th grade there and was very included. I am more introverted but that didn't stop others from wanting to make friends with me and want to include me in activities. People are really nice there. As a Highschooler now, I love how involved everyone is and how supportive the school is to every sport and club.... Read 15 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,938

• St Paul, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Senior: My school is a very small school and has a very supportive community. The town is very supportive of the school which provides a very good learning environment for the students. The one thing that I would change would be more options in classes.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• Total schools 2

• Students 300

• Milwaukie, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  80 reviews

Senior: I would like less one-sided beliefs and everyone hating on religion, and white people. Everything these days is all about LGBTQ+ stuff, and it's frankly stupid. The "inclusivity" has led to weak overly sensitive people who contribute nothing but yelling and hatred to society, I hate that my district supports this openly, and openly condemns Christianity of any kind. The best part of my school experience has been the music, specifically the band program. It has saved my life and given me something to look forward to every day. I have made life long relationships and connections with people in it, and I can't thank anyone enough for our amazing music facilities, and the opportunities I get to have.... Read 80 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 31

• Students 16,653

• Portland, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  16 reviews

Senior: There are many great facilities at the schools. They’re kept clean and and up to date, with a variety of extracurricular activities and amenities available for students of all walks of life. There’s little to no large drama, fights, or otherwise frequent disturbances to those simply trying to learn. It’s a great environment for those who wish to foster friendships and enjoy all there is to offer, and those who want to get by off the bare minimum.... Read 16 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 6

• Students 2,802

• Estacada, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: Estacada High School had and still has amazing resources available to all students. There are many teachers willing to go the extra mile, and several adults and organizations that want to help students graduate. While the administration of the district could use some work, the individual schools and teachers make the heart of a very caring education program.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 3,025

• Portland, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.76 out of 5  33 reviews

Alum: I love the teachers in Centennial School District. Although not all were perfect, most of the teachers in Centennial School District really cared about their students and were invested in their student's academic success. I graduated from this school in 2020, and I got to say, my overall experience was a memorable one. My peers were interested in the topics that the teacher was teaching. In this school, I feel like students are pretty comfortable with communicating with the teacher.... Read 33 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 9

• Students 5,528

• Oregon City, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  54 reviews

Sophomore: Even though this is my first year in this district and i'm starting it in distance learning I think its amazing. There are so many great options for classes and sports. Not to mention the teachers are very kind and understanding. They try to be as aware as possible about what kind of help you need and then try to supply you with it. I think out of all the schools I have attended it is one of my favorites, and that's saying something considering the fact that I have attended 9 different schools. Speaking of many schools, I love how inviting the Oregon City School district is. Me and my younger sister were nervous about starting somewhere new during distance learning but they did amazing making sure we were comfortable and all set for the year. I also love how accepting they are. As a member of the LGBTQ community I felt very welcomed and accepted when i started school. I think the Oregon City School district is a phenomenal school district.... Read 54 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 14

• Students 7,236

• Gresham, OR•

• School District

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  51 reviews

Alum: I was a part of the Gresham-Barlow School District from kindergarten through senior year of high school. I had a very positive experience in Deep Creek Elementary School with activites like Links to Learning and field trips being the higher points. I loved the scholastic bookfairs and the art and music classes. In middle school -- Deep Creek Damascus K through 8 -- and high school -- Sam Barlow High School -- I loved the teachers and the theatre and choir departments. My most negative experiences had to do with the lack of support in math classes and college preparation I received when I was in Sam Barlow High School. However, the extracurricular activities of SBHS hold by far my most positive experiences.... Read 51 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 21

• Students 11,461

• Battle Ground, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.64 out of 5  59 reviews

Senior: I am a senior at Prairie High School and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. This is a family oriented school and I believe we are a lot better than most high schools. Everyone is apart of one family and we all love and care for each other. The sports are outstanding, the teammates are there for one another. Teachers are there to help you succeed and if you need help they will contribute all of their time and dedication to you. The administration is wonderful and they’re always making sure students are having the best time of this 4 year experience! Prairie High School is on the rise and it feels rewarding to be part of this school district!... Read 59 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 21

• Students 11,745