Grout Elementary School vs Lent Elementary School

Grout Elementary School and Lent Elementary School sit 3.4 miles apart in Portland, Oregon, and both rank among the state's top 25 elementary schools — Grout Elementary School at #14 of 1,226 Oregon schools, Lent Elementary School at #21 of 1,226. Their overall ratings are nearly identical: Grout holds a 9.4/10 against Lent's 9.3/10, a gap of just 0.1 points. Parents choosing between them should look past the headline numbers to where the meaningful differences actually emerge.

Academically, the gap is more pronounced: Grout Elementary School scores 9.3/10 in academics compared to Lent Elementary School's 8.1/10, a 1.2-point difference that reflects a measurable advantage in tested proficiency. On growth — how much students advance relative to their starting point — the schools are functionally equal, with Lent edging Grout 9.9/10 to 9.8/10. Both schools are delivering strong learning gains regardless of where students begin; the divergence shows up in absolute achievement levels rather than trajectory.

Demographically, both schools serve predominantly high-need populations, but Lent Elementary School carries a heavier load: 73% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch compared to 65% at Grout Elementary School. Lent also runs noticeably smaller classes, with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 versus Grout's 16.8:1 — meaning each Lent teacher serves about three fewer students. With 302 students enrolled, Grout is slightly larger than Lent's 273. Both serve kindergarten through fifth grade.

The student-teacher ratio difference is the most operationally significant distinction for many families: at 13.7:1, Lent Elementary School offers more individualized attention per child in a school that also serves a higher proportion of students navigating economic hardship. Grout Elementary School's academic score advantage of 1.2 points, combined with its slightly higher overall rating and top-14 state rank, reflects stronger aggregate proficiency outcomes across its student body.