2024 Best Schools in Portland

• Portland, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.49 out of 5  110 reviews

Parent: Amazing experience! We have absolutely loved our kids experience at Catlin Gabel School. Outstanding teachers and elite education. The school has a great community and the sense of belonging is visible among students and families. My kids have made very good friends and they love going to school everyday. According to my kids Catlin is a happy, inclusive and kind school. Our only (but major) concern we have with their athletic programs. Sadly they run a mediocre athletic program. Catlin has great potential with athletics , however all good athletes transfer out since nothing done to retain great middle school athletes. Some national level athletes Catlin has lost due to their lack of paying attention to those athletes or programs.... Read 110 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 785

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Portland, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  103 reviews

Parent: As a parent, I have been super impressed with the intentional efforts by OES that goes in to creating a sense of community and belonging. Teachers are experts in their subject areas but more importantly they are experts in knowing their students. Small class sizes and gathering together has empowered my child to feel safe and known and because of this they are more inclined to try new things, ask questions and step out of their comfort zone. And that’s where real learning happens. Thank you OES!... Read 103 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 880

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Portland, OR•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  279 reviews

Senior: I had a great experience at Jesuit High School. When I first entered, one thing that stood out to me was the community that Jesuit fostered. Everyone was very welcoming, and I enjoyed how much school spirit there was. Another thing I really enjoyed and took advantage of was the campus ministry opportunities, which I wouldn’t have gotten at a public school. I loved going on retreats, as well as leading them as an upperclassman. I throughly enjoyed my classes and the academics at Jesuit, although it would have been nice if there were a slightly larger range of electives for students to choose from. The majority of my teachers were very passionate about teaching and cared about students, and the smaller class sizes were something that I appreciated. The sports and extracurricular activities at Jesuit were numerous and well established. I loved both playing and watching sports throughout my time here. Overall, I was very satisfied and glad that I attended Jesuit.... Read 279 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,284

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Portland, OR•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.7 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: We have a child in 7th grade at the middle school at Northwest Academy and couldn't be happier with the level of engagement of educators and administrative staff, quality of the education and curriculum, communication, programs, clubs, after school classes and other offerings. We are so happy to have found NWA for our kiddo!... Read 37 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 251

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Tigard, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Senior: I have been attending this school since the ninth grade. It’s a private school that prioritizes academics, especially math and science. I enjoy learning about math and science. This school is such a good fit for students that love to learn and expand their science and math knowledge. I was able to reach Calculus 3 at this school. This high level of math is not offered at other high schools in my area, so I am extremely fortunate to have attended here. In college I plan to study math, physics, engineering, and biology. This school has prepared me very well for college. In addition, the school offers Arabic language, which other schools in the area do not. Since I am from a biracial and multicultural family, this was also a very good fit. This school is a small, private school that offers a top-notch education. It prepares its students. One hundred percent of graduating seniors go on to college. I would recommend this school to others that wish to work hard and learn.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 209

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Portland, OR•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  332 reviews

Senior: St. Mary’s has been the best thing to happen to me. I have been able to access opportunities and try new things in an environment that supports me where I feel safe. The teachers are amazing, and so is the curriculum. I have been appropriately challenged, preparing me well for life beyond SMA!... Read 332 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 660

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Vancouver, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  27 reviews

Senior: Seton catholic is generally a very small school. My first year at Seton was during Covid. My classmates were the eighth grade Covid babies, and that affected my courage to go to school. Seton was very welcoming, and started Covid safety very fast. They put our safety first. We were one of the first schools in the Vancouver area to start school, and I was very grateful for that. Plus I’ve gained loyal lifetime friends, who support my religion, and have good morals. The staff here at seton are very welcoming, and caring. They want the best for their students creating ways to not only challenge then but helping them understand. Altogether this school is very different but in a positive way.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 188

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Riverdale School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  45 reviews

Junior: I am a current junior at RHS who transferred in for the last trimester of my sophomore year. My only regret is not being able to attend for my entire high school experience. The teachers are amazing; they truly care about students and their personal troubles. The students are engaged, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. I am beyond proud to be a Maverick.... Read 45 reviews

• grade A

• Students 190

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Beaverton, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.86 out of 5  43 reviews

Parent: The education we wish we had received! We just completed our first year at St Stephens with three of our kids and we were blown away. Everything from the exhaustive approach to English grammar/writing/phonetic learning, to the emphasis on character, to the Latin that begins in 4th, to the teachers who are loved and respected…all of it was beyond. Our children memorized more in one year than most do in their entire lives. They started debate in 4th grade that just blew me away with their super early ability to use rhetoric. The music and art programs are off the charts. I just think of the word “abundance” when I think of our school. We feel the foundation this school gives (classical education is something I only learned of through attempting to homeschool for a year and fell in love with it) is necessary and beautiful. Our children in one year have increased in knowledge, wisdom, knowledge of God’s word, and creatively as well. Can’t wait to see what the future holds!... Read 43 reviews

• grade A

• Students 299

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Portland, OR•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  244 reviews

Senior: My school is basically a big square that occupies one city block in Portland. It’s really old, and we don’t even have enough room to play sports on campus, so every sporting event is bussed out to a different location. Staff is relatively good, although there is trouble finding adequate amounts of teachers. Math is not taught very well, but our English department is stellar.... Read 244 reviews

• grade A

• Students 816

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  158 reviews

Freshman: I honestly didn’t know how to feel about ISB, but the people here have changed my mind! This school doesn’t seem like much, but we do have a bunch of awards calling us “The Best High School in Oregon.” It is a small school, so people get to know the teachers way more than at other bigger high schools. Overall this tight knit community is really welcoming, and it’s just amazing to see how your connections with teachers and the help you receive from them really push you to do your best and achieve greater things.... Read 158 reviews

• grade A

• Students 857

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  62 reviews

Senior: Overall as a 4th year student at Mountainside High School I've had a good experience. Starting school online as my first year was slightly challenging, but the staff made it accommodating to make sure every incoming student felt welcomed. For sports and activities they've made it inclusive so everyone feels welcomed, including me which is also a great way to get to meet new people. As a student, I've had ups and downs with teachers. I've met some amazing staff who go the extra mile to help me and answer my questions, which only helped push me to enjoy the classes, even when difficult. I've had some who weren't as nice making me feel like they didn't like me so they treated me differently than my peers. When I spoke up about this issue nothing was able to be done which was very frustrating considering we're told to speak up more. When it comes to change, I've heard some hateful speech over the years from students and wish people were taught about the impacts it can have one others.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,765

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Portland Public Schools, OR•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  346 reviews

Alum: As someone who recently graduated from Lincoln and has been through the whole high school experience at Lincoln, I can say that it is an amazing school. The teachers were all incredibly supportive and helpful, and in classes, it was clear how passionate they are about teaching. They went above and beyond curriculum requirements to connect classroom topics important to students and relevant to the world as a whole, something that shone through especially clearly in the International Baccalaureate program, which taught me time management skills, critical thinking, and how to be a better global citizen. Beside academics, Lincoln has a number of incredible extracurriculars, both academic and athletic, so that every student can find something they are passionate about to pursue outside of school. And of course, being part of the Lincoln community was a blast, with fun school events and lots of school spirit. I love Lincoln, and will miss going to school there!... Read 346 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,615

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  104 reviews

Senior: I'm in the medical pathway, and I have to say, it's amazing! Most of my teachers know what they are talking about and are able to walk us through any problems we might have. There are a few that don't, but I wouldn't say it's any more than a typical high school. In terms of college preparedness, I would say it is doing a great job! All the skills we are learning is definitely preparing us for college, and helping us know important concepts and ideas that can be applied in the future. I would appreciate more communication from the administration on things we are doing, since there are some things that happen that we didn't hear about in advance.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A

• Students 828

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: The teachers are very nice they help you with everything. I went to many other schools but never had fun like Sato Elementary School... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 706

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Beaverton School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: This is a K-8 Mandarin immersion school with a tight-knit small cohort of students, great teachers and admin, and lots of opportunities for parental involvement. My daughter attended this school from 4th to 8th grade. She formed strong ties with her classmates since these were the same students from year to year. The academic program is more rigorous than a typical public school. So students learn from early on, time management and organizational skills. Most of the students transition to high school without a problem, and many end up taking advanced placement classes. As this is a smaller school, the extra curricular activities offered by the school especially in sports, are lacking. Students can however, sign up for extra curricular activities offered by the other schools in the Beaverton School District. The Art Literacy program is taught by parent volunteers. There is no Music program. Parents also head up the chess and math club. Highly recommended Mandarin immersion school!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 329

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Beaverton, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  80 reviews

Senior: Valley Catholic is a small, intimate community where students know many other students across grades, and teachers and administrators know every student by name. Valley Catholic's course offerings are varied and solid and include four years of required English and religion and three years of required math and science, creating well-rounded students. At the same time, specialized courses ranging from History of the American West to AP Music Theory cater to the specific interests of the individual. Most every course is challenging, but the teachers are supportive and encourage questions, always joyful and available when students take initiative and ask for help. The religious aspects of the school, including monthly mass and public service, unite the community with inclusivity and spiritual awareness, while religious diversity is embraced and taught--about half of students are not Catholic, and in-class religious discussion includes Christian and non-Christian perspectives.... Read 80 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,055

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Milwaukie, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: I have been attending this school for almost 10 years and I have had the best experience! The school community is unique and incredibly supportive. It encourages creativity and thinking out of the box, which comes in handy in the real world.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• Students 326

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Riverdale School District, OR•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  17 reviews

Parent: Riverdale's K-8 program is a rare gem amongst public schools, in my opinion. My children have attended since kindergarten, and we all agree the school is phenomenal. The small class size provides a safe, supportive environment that challenges students to go deep and persevere with curiosity. The curriculum is hands-on and offers many creative experiences beyond the classroom. The district has a foundation to augment the funding per child received from the state. I wish all schools had our funding. It really makes a difference. The K-8 experience prepares them well for high school which then sets them up for success after graduation. I have one in college now, and she says she feels very well-prepared for the rigor of college. Well done, Riverdale!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• Students 372

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Camas School District, WA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Having moved from a strong school district in the Bay Area we had high expectations. The transition has been extraordinary and my three children have thrived at this districtl. Certainly a good fit for our family, with a more casual happier learning environment with equal possibly stronger academics to our past school.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 296

• Student-teacher ratio 30:1

• Vancouver School District, WA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  27 reviews

Senior: The best part of my experience was how well I was prepared for college. You have the opportunity to start taking college classes your freshman year, and if you are 16 or older you have the option to take classes and Washington State University. The worst part of my experience would probably be the teachers. There were a few good teachers that I learned a lot from, but unfortunately I also had a lot of teachers that had inconsistent grading policies, and I was a lot less engaged in some of these classes.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A

• Students 565

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Beaverton, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.88 out of 5  16 reviews

Parent: We came to Valor after Homeschooling for 7 years. My son started in 8th, my daughter in 6th. It was a difficult first year as they adjusted to new challenges, but I would not change a thing. The teachers were challenging and understanding. The office staff were supportive, encouraging and even mentored my kids at times. Valor has a passion for missions and for personal growth that I support whole-heartedly. They have diverse classes, and the teachers strive to teach to neurologically diverse students. I started as a volunteer parent and am now serving on staff in small ways to help support the mission of the school. Valor teachers value individual growth. They challenge students to think and take action. Students are required to interpret evidence for themselves. They are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and stand up for what is right. I have been so impressed by the conversations I've had with my kids this summer. Thank you, Valor!... Read 16 reviews

• grade A

• Students 215

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Aloha, OR•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  27 reviews

Senior: I have attended Life Christian School for almost 13 years now, elementary, middle school, and I am now close to completing my high-school education. The school has been through a lot of ups and downs, many management changes and a fluctuation in class sizes. Through it all the school has always provided a safe and Christ-centered learning experience. Smaller classes has open up opportunities to have assistance from teachers and meaningful discussions. But, due to the small size of the school, there has been a lack of desired electives, and funding for facilities up-keep. The main issue is that the school needs to grow. I would also love to see more school spirit!... Read 27 reviews

• grade A

• Students 196

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Ridgefield, WA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  17 reviews

Sophomore: I’ve been at cedar tree for a while now…the community is really good, and because it’s a smaller school, we all know each other. The teachers are very supportive and seek to help you in every way they can. It’s a hard school, but it definitely prepares you for college! I am very thankful for this school, because it helped me grow in my faith! It’s based on a classical approach, so we learn logic, and rhetoric. My speaking skills have greatly approved by the classes here! I highly recommend this school to help you grow in your education!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• Students 243

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Vancouver School District, WA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  118 reviews

Senior: At VSAA, you come as you are, and are met with acceptance and support. Entering my last year at VSAA, I have made meaningful connections with a large percentage of our student body. That’s what’s great about the small school environment: we’re all friends here! The teachers care so deeply about their students, I have always been met with compassion and support in my low moments.... Read 118 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 683

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1