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With a vast range of attractions, including a rich and dynamic culture, a beautiful natural environment, and exceptional possibilities for schooling, the charming Portland attracts families from all around. Based on the Private School Review, there are 133 private schools in Portland for the 2023 school year, serving 21,007 students (176 public schools serve 95,455 kids). In the city, 18% of all K-12 students attend private institutions, significantly higher than the state average of 9%.
Recommended Reading: Is Private School Tuition Tax Deductible?
So, if you are looking for the best private schools in Portland, we’ve got your back! In this blog, we will examine each element of selecting five top private Portland schools, which are believed to be among the finest of these institutions.
1. Catlin Gabel School
Catlin Gabel School is among the most renowned private schools in Portland, appreciated for its academic rigor, pluralistic student body, and dedication to sustainability. The school has been widely recognized as having significantly high average SAT and ACT scores. The student body is by far the largest. Catlin Gabel is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools and operates in a non-sectarian manner. The school provides ADD/ADHD support for students from pre-nursery age through grade 12. The school offers courses at an advanced level in areas such as biology, calculus, and computer sciences; class sizes tend to be around 17 students.
Key Details:
- Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
- College preparation: Yes
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Average SAT score: 1400
- Yearly tuition: $38,000
- Location and accessibility: 8825 SW BARNES RD, PORTLAND, OR 97225
- Safety and security: 94% of students feel safe in the school.
Website: catlin.edu
Contact: (503) 297-1894
2. Oregon Episcopal School
Located in the Portland area, Oregon Episcopal School, established in 1869, boasts a remarkable reputation for its outstanding, comprehensive academic programs and diverse extracurricular activities. Currently accommodating around 869 students ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade, this coeducational institution is affiliated with the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Cognia, and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), providing post-graduate year and summer school options as well.
Notably, the 100% graduation rate is a testament to the myriad of resources available to students, including Advanced Placement classes such as Calculus, Computer Science, French and Spanish language, and Statistics, with the average SAT score reaching an impressive 1400 and an ACT score of 29.
Key Details:
- Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
- College preparation: Yes
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Average SAT score: 1090 – 1290
- Yearly tuition: $17,646
- Location and accessibility: 110 JOHNSON HALL, EUGENE, OR 97403
- Safety and security: N/A
Website: uoregon.edu
Contact: (503) 246- 7771
3. Bridges Middle School
Bridges Middle School, located in downtown Portland, Oregon, offers an ideal environment for students with learning differences to reach their full potential. The school boasts top-notch quality standards from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Cognia, and provides social and emotional growth opportunities through its supportive and inclusive learning atmosphere.
Established in 1998, Bridges has a co-ed student body of 64 students in grades 5-8 who benefit from specialized programs tailored to distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity, sensory processing, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ASD as well low self-esteem. With Bridges ranked among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon, educators there strive daily to help every student succeed.
Key Details:
- Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
- College preparation: Yes
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Average SAT score: N/A
- Yearly tuition: $26,750
- Location and accessibility: 2510 SW First Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201
- Safety and security: 89% of the students feel safe in school.
Website: https://www.bridgesms.org/
Contact: (503) 688-2922
4. International School of Portland (ISP)
For over three decades, the International School of Portland (ISP) has provided students with an incomparable educational experience as an IB World School. The school offers a multicultural atmosphere, immersing its students in Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese, starting with preschool and lasting through 5th grade.
Affiliated with both NAIS and Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, the ISP grants learners with high-grade training that equips them to thrive in a global community. Additionally, this non-sectarian establishment serves 385 co-ed students and supports those with ADD and ADHD.
Key Details:
- Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
- College preparation: No (K-5)
- Graduation rate: N/A
- Average SAT score: N/A
- Yearly tuition: $20,990
- Location and accessibility: 2305 S WATER AVE, PORTLAND, OR 97201
- Safety and security: N/A
Website: intlschool.org
Contact: (503) 226-2496
5. Northwest Academy
Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Northwest Academy is an independent college preparatory school that focuses on academics and the arts to motivate its students. Home to the largest student body and many extracurricular activities, Northwest Academy provides a welcoming atmosphere for students from grades 6 through 12.
As a non-sectarian institution since 1997, Northwest Academy has strived for inclusivity and is proud of its affiliation with the Northwest Association of Independent Schools. With around 260 registered students, the co-ed environment of Northwest Academy prepares young minds for college and beyond.
Key Details:
- Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
- College preparation: Yes
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Average SAT score: 1280
- Yearly tuition: $29,230
- Location and accessibility: 1130 SW Main Street, Portland, OR 97205-2047
- Safety and security: N/A
Website: https://www.nwacademy.org/
Contact: (503) 223 – 3367
Wrapping up!
Choosing the best private school is an essential decision for both parents and students. The schools suggested above provide an excellent educational experience as well as an atmosphere of encouragement in which students have the opportunity to grow.
Students at these schools have the opportunity to participate in a variety of academic and extracurricular programs to help them accomplish their educational and professional goals. Whether it is about community service, language immersion, or college preparation, there is a private school in Portland for every student.
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