Abernethy Elementary School vs Astor Elementary School

Abernethy Elementary School and Astor Elementary School sit at the very top of Oregon public schools, with both cracking the top 26 of 1,226 statewide. The overall rating gap between them is razor-thin — Astor Elementary School edges ahead 9.3 to 9.2 out of 10 — but Astor's state rank of #19 versus Abernethy Elementary School's #26 reflects a consistent, if narrow, advantage across the composite score. Parents choosing between these two schools are not choosing between a good school and a great one; they are choosing between two exceptional institutions separated by 6.3 miles in Portland, Oregon.

The academic scores tell the most meaningful story beneath the surface. Abernethy Elementary School holds a 9.9 out of 10 academic score — a full point higher than Astor Elementary School's 8.9 — making it one of the strongest academic performers in the state by that single measure. Both schools post an identical growth score of 9.6 out of 10, meaning students at each school progress at the same above-average rate relative to peers. For families where current proficiency is the priority, Abernethy's academic edge is concrete. For families focused on trajectory, both schools deliver equally.

The demographic and resource differences are substantial. Astor Elementary School serves 375 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, compared to Abernethy Elementary School's 330 students at 19.4:1 — nearly four additional students per teacher at Abernethy. The free and reduced-price lunch rates diverge sharply: 15% at Abernethy Elementary School versus 64% at Astor Elementary School, indicating Astor serves a significantly higher proportion of lower-income families. Astor's ability to score #19 statewide while serving a much higher-need population is a notable equity achievement.

Astor Elementary School also extends through grade 8, giving enrolled families a KG–08 pathway that eliminates a middle school transition entirely. Abernethy Elementary School runs KG–05, so families must plan a subsequent school move after fifth grade. For parents of younger children who want to minimize school transitions, Astor's grade span is a structural advantage that the academic numbers alone do not capture.