Portland Arthur Academy Charter School vs Bridger Creative Science School

Portland Arthur Academy Charter School edges out Bridger Creative Science School by a slim overall margin — 9.2 vs 9.1 out of 10 — but that single-tenth gap masks meaningful differences beneath it. On state rank, Arthur Academy places #37 of 1,226 Oregon schools versus Bridger's #44 of 1,226, a gap of seven positions in a field that large. Both schools sit near the top of the statewide distribution, separated by just 0.5 miles in Portland, yet they diverge considerably once you look past the headline numbers.

Academically, Portland Arthur Academy Charter School holds a clear edge: a 9.3/10 academic score against Bridger Creative Science School's 8.4/10, a difference of nearly a full point. Bridger turns that dynamic around on growth, posting a 9.7/10 growth score versus Arthur Academy's 9.0/10 — a 0.7-point advantage that signals Bridger is accelerating student progress at an unusually high rate relative to peers. Families who care about how much a school moves students forward, not just where they start, will find Bridger's growth figure compelling.

Bridger Creative Science School enrolls 514 students compared to Portland Arthur Academy Charter School's 164, making Arthur Academy a substantially more intimate setting. The student-teacher ratio at Arthur Academy is 16.4:1 versus Bridger's 17.7:1, a modest but real difference in average class density. On economic diversity, Bridger serves a higher free/reduced lunch population — 37% versus Arthur Academy's 30% — reflecting a broader socioeconomic mix among its families.

The two schools also differ in structure and grade span. Bridger Creative Science School is a regular public school serving grades K–8, meaning families who enroll in kindergarten can stay through middle school without a transition. Portland Arthur Academy Charter School is a charter school covering only grades K–5, so families will need to plan a middle school transition after fifth grade. The K–8 continuity at Bridger is a concrete logistical advantage for families who want to minimize school changes during the elementary and middle years.