Abernethy Elementary School vs Woodlawn Elementary School

Woodlawn Elementary School ranks #16 of 1,226 Oregon schools, placing it 10 spots ahead of Abernethy Elementary School, which sits at #26 of 1,226 in the same state ranking. On the overall 10-point scale, Woodlawn holds a 9.4 to Abernethy's 9.2 — a 0.2-point gap that belies meaningful differences underneath. Both schools are separated by 4.8 miles within Portland, yet they serve notably different student populations and produce different outcome profiles.

Academically, Abernethy Elementary School leads by a significant margin: a 9.9 academic score against Woodlawn Elementary School's 9.1, a 0.8-point delta that reflects measurably higher current proficiency levels. Woodlawn counters with a stronger growth score — 9.8 versus Abernethy's 9.6 — meaning Woodlawn students are advancing at a slightly faster pace relative to their starting points. That 0.2-point growth edge tips the overall rating in Woodlawn's favor despite the larger academic gap, signaling that Woodlawn is moving students forward efficiently even from lower baselines.

The demographic and resource differences between the two schools are substantial. Abernethy Elementary School enrolls 330 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1 and a 15% free and reduced-price lunch rate. Woodlawn Elementary School enrolls 299 students with a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio — nearly three fewer students per teacher — and a 64% free and reduced-price lunch rate. That 49-percentage-point FRL gap signals that Woodlawn serves a much higher share of economically disadvantaged families, making its strong growth score especially notable. Woodlawn's lower ratio means each teacher carries a lighter classroom load regardless of resource context.

One structural difference parents should weigh: Woodlawn Elementary School serves grades PK through 05, offering pre-kindergarten access that Abernethy Elementary School — a KG through 05 school — does not. Families with children not yet kindergarten-age can enter the Woodlawn community a full year earlier, which matters for continuity of placement and sibling logistics.