Bridger Creative Science School vs Creston Elementary School

Creston Elementary School ranks #4 of 1,226 schools in Oregon, compared to Bridger Creative Science School at #49 — a 45-position gap that makes Creston one of the highest-rated elementary schools in the state. On the 10-point overall scale, Creston scores 9.6 against Bridger's 9.0, a difference that feels modest in isolation but represents an enormous distance in statewide standing. Both schools sit within 1.9 miles of each other in Portland, making this a genuine neighborhood choice for many families.

The academic performance gap is the sharpest difference between the two. Creston Elementary School scores 9.8/10 on academics versus Bridger Creative Science School's 8.4/10 — a 1.4-point delta that reflects real proficiency differences in tested outcomes. That said, both schools are genuinely strong on growth: Bridger Creative Science School and Creston Elementary School each score 9.7/10 on the growth metric, meaning students at both schools are making above-average academic progress year over year regardless of where they start.

The demographic profile of the two schools diverges significantly. Bridger Creative Science School enrolls 514 students — more than double Creston Elementary School's 238 — and has a free/reduced lunch rate of 37% compared to Creston's 78%. That FRL gap indicates Creston serves a substantially higher share of economically disadvantaged families, and its top-4 statewide ranking in that context makes its academic performance especially notable. The student-teacher ratio is tighter at Creston Elementary School (15.9:1) than at Bridger Creative Science School (17.7:1), meaning Creston students receive more individual teacher attention despite the school's smaller footprint.

One structural difference affects family planning beyond academics: Bridger Creative Science School serves grades KG–08, covering elementary and middle school years under one roof, while Creston Elementary School serves only KG–05. Families who want a single-school experience through 8th grade will find continuity at Bridger that Creston simply does not offer. Bridger also carries a distinctive science-focused identity built into its name and program design, which may draw families specifically seeking an inquiry-based curriculum.