Multnomah County Schools & Education

Multnomah County, Oregon

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

38/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

80.9%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

80.9%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 82.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$8,077

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,886

School Score

38/100

Higher = better

State avg 41/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#20

of 36 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Multnomah County

School Verdict

Multnomah County faces educational challenges with a school score of 38/100 and a graduation rate of 80.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

Multnomah County spends $8,077 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Multnomah County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 7% below the Oregon average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Multnomah County, Oregon

Oregon's Largest and Most Diverse School System

Multnomah County manages a massive education network of 165 public schools serving 81,975 students. The system is distributed across eight districts and includes 110 elementary schools and 23 high schools.

Facing Challenges in Urban Graduation Rates

The county's 80.9% graduation rate trails both the Oregon average of 82.3% and the national 87% benchmark. Educational investment sits at $8,077 per pupil, slightly exceeding the state average but remaining below the national $13,000 standard.

Portland SD 1J Anchors the County

Portland SD 1J is the largest district by far, overseeing 86 schools and 43,049 students. Choice is prevalent here, with 17 charter schools making up about 10.3% of the county's total educational options.

A Deeply Urban Educational Experience

The vast majority of schools, 119 in total, are located in city settings, with 43 more in suburban areas. Large campuses like David Douglas High School host 2,698 students, creating a bustling, high-energy environment for learners.

Diverse Neighborhoods Near Renowned High Schools

Homebuyers often target neighborhoods near high-performing magnets like Grant or Franklin High. Access to a wide variety of charter and alternative programs makes this county a top choice for families prioritizing educational variety.

School Overview

Total Schools

165

in Multnomah County

Total Enrollment

81,975

students

School Districts

8

districts

Charter Schools

17

10% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary110
Middle26
High23
Other6

8 School Districts in Multnomah County

Portland SD 1J

86 schools
43,049 students

Reynolds SD 7

20 schools
9,773 students

David Douglas SD 40

14 schools
8,580 students

Centennial SD 28J

9 schools
5,369 students

Parkrose SD 3

6 schools
2,769 students

Corbett SD 39

1 school
1,055 students

Riverdale SD 51J

2 schools
595 students

Multnomah ESD

6 schools
299 students

165 Public Schools in Multnomah County

David Douglas High School

David Douglas SD 40

9–12High2,698 students
Reynolds High School

Reynolds SD 7

9–12High2,474 students
Grant High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High2,156 students
Franklin High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High1,966 students
Centennial High School

Centennial SD 28J

9–12High1,756 students
Sam Barlow High School

Gresham-Barlow SD 10J

9–12High1,710 students
Gresham High School

Gresham-Barlow SD 10J

9–12High1,666 students
Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High1,556 students
Cleveland High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High1,547 students
Lincoln High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High1,525 students
Roosevelt High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High1,484 students
Leodis V. McDaniel High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High1,440 students
Corbett School

Corbett SD 39

KG–12Charter1,055 students
Parkrose High School

Parkrose SD 3

9–12High998 students
Centennial Middle School

Centennial SD 28J

6–8Middle876 students
Reynolds Middle School

Reynolds SD 7

6–8Middle837 students
Benson Polytechnic High School

Portland SD 1J

9–12High824 students
Jackson Middle School

Portland SD 1J

6–8Middle791 students
Ron Russell Middle School

David Douglas SD 40

6–8Middle770 students
Laurelhurst Elementary School

Portland SD 1J

KG–8Primary674 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$8,077

State avg $7,886

Find Homes Near Top Schools

Browse homes in Multnomah County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.

Search on Zillow →

Find a Tutor in Multnomah County

Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.

Find a Tutor →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Multnomah County rate?
Multnomah County has a school score of 38/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Multnomah County?
The high school graduation rate in Multnomah County is 80.9%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Multnomah County spend per student?
Multnomah County spends $8,077 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Multnomah County, Oregon — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Multnomah County, Oregon?

Multnomah County manages a massive education network of 165 public schools serving 81,975 students. The system is distributed across eight districts and includes 110 elementary schools and 23 high schools.

How do schools in Multnomah County perform academically?

The county's 80.9% graduation rate trails both the Oregon average of 82.3% and the national 87% benchmark. Educational investment sits at $8,077 per pupil, slightly exceeding the state average but remaining below the national $13,000 standard.

What are the major school districts in Multnomah County, Oregon?

Portland SD 1J is the largest district by far, overseeing 86 schools and 43,049 students. Choice is prevalent here, with 17 charter schools making up about 10.3% of the county's total educational options.

What is the school experience like in Multnomah County?

The vast majority of schools, 119 in total, are located in city settings, with 43 more in suburban areas. Large campuses like David Douglas High School host 2,698 students, creating a bustling, high-energy environment for learners.

How can I find homes near good schools in Multnomah County, Oregon?

Homebuyers often target neighborhoods near high-performing magnets like Grant or Franklin High. Access to a wide variety of charter and alternative programs makes this county a top choice for families prioritizing educational variety.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.