Your experience (and your kids') with Portland schools (Beaverton, Lake Oswego: low income, high crime)

[dent_arthur_dent]

I would be interested to hear from people whose kids have been through the Portland school system. What was/is your experience like? (Not just asking about academics -- but rather the whole package.)

Feel free to mention particular schools and what you either like or dislike about them. On the whole it looks like Portland is like many cities in that there is quite a range of schools, with the better 'rated' ones being further out or in the suburbs, and all facing some sort of budget problem. Do you feel that things are getting better or worse? Would you recommend the schools your children have attended?

[VTHokieFan]

I would just do a private school and save any concerns. Catholic school is nearly always affordable as they do so much need based aid (in case it isn't affordable for you).

[jjpop]

Just to clarify, there are several school districts in the Portland Metro area. Districts are geographic/management/political divisions, and the level at which decisions for the group of schools under their jurisdiction are made. Within the Portland city limits there are (I think) 5 school districts: "Portland School District" is one, then there are the Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, and Riverdale School Districts. Again, it's based on geographic boundaries.

Once you get outside of the Portland city limits, most suburban cities have their own school districts. So there is the Lake Oswego SD, West Linn-Wilsonville SD, Beaverton SD, etc. Here is an online list of the school districts in the 3-county area surrounding the Portland Metro area (ignoring Vancouver): http://www.pdx.edu/sites/www.pdx.edu...ldistricts.pdf

Most of the time when somebody asks about "the Portland school system," locals are going to think he is referring to only schools within the Portland School District. So just wanting to make sure you get what you need.

My kids are in schools in the Beaverton School District. We are pleased with many of the programs and what is offered in these really difficult financial times. We have had some reservations about individual teachers, but we are active in the schools and are pretty vigilant at home. I think parental involvement is the single best way to ensure your kid gets a quality education in public schools.

And private school is great if you have an extra $10,000 or $12,000 a year to spend on each child. Maybe a viable option if you would qualify for need-based aid, but speaking for myself I would rather use that money toward a college savings plan.

[Jen54]

jjpop couldn't agree with you more when you state that parental involvment is key....

[Nell Plotts]

And even parochial schools have weak individual teachers.

My children are many years out of Portland metro schools, my oldest Portland grandchild is in kindergarten so I can't really comment.

[turquoise1]

The Lake Oswego and West Linn schools have the best reputations.
Oregon seems pretty far down the list for school spending as far as states go - I think it is like 44th. Also, many cuts are being made to state colleges.

In town, Chapman and Ainsworth school districts are highly rated.

[Yankeemama]

My kids are in a very good school in Portland in the inner NE. PPS has some excellent schools so you dont have to go out to the suburbs. Actually, Lincoln HS in Portland is higher rated than most of the suburban high schools. Check out PPS website- all the Portland Public School info is there.

[skiffrace]

How about following this map as a good rule of thumb.
Typically high crime = low income + bad schools.
When looking for a place to live, the above map could be useful for almost anything else as well.

[turquoise1]

Thank you YankeeMama, that is good to know.

[mc0624]

Originally Posted by Yankeemama

My kids are in a very good school in Portland in the inner NE. PPS has some excellent schools so you dont have to go out to the suburbs. Actually, Lincoln HS in Portland is higher rated than most of the suburban high schools. Check out PPS website- all the Portland Public School info is there.

What are your thoughts on the middle school(s) that feed into Lincoln?