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Excellent

#33 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 3% in state

Chief Joseph Elementary School

Elementary School · Portland SD 1J

2409 N Saratoga St, Portland, OR 97217

Enrollment

265

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

9.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portland

#20 of 148

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#30 of 689

In district

#20 of 85

Portland SD 1J

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Chief Joseph Elementary School

Chief Joseph Elementary School serves 265 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Portland, Oregon. A regular public school, it earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — anchored by an academic score of 9.5 and a standout growth score of 9.6. Few schools in Oregon reach that combination.

The numbers translate directly to rank. Chief Joseph outperforms 97% of public schools in Oregon, sitting 33rd among 1,226 statewide and 20th among 148 Portland public schools. For families comparing options across a competitive urban district, that standing is a meaningful signal.

The school also ranks 30th among 689 Oregon elementary schools — a tier reserved for the state's top 5% at the elementary level. At 18.9 students per teacher, class sizes stay manageable for an urban public school. The growth score of 9.6 is particularly notable: it measures how much students advance year over year, independent of where they start.

That kind of academic momentum compounds across six elementary years. For Portland families narrowing their search, Chief Joseph's track record puts it in a short list of serious contenders.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63%
Math vs. State Avg+23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

Chief Joseph Elementary School — Students at Chief Joseph Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 59.0%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
55.2%
ELA
63%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Chief Joseph Elementary School Compares

See how Chief Joseph Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.1/10
97th percentile in OR
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

2409 N Saratoga St, Portland, OR 97217

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chief Joseph Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodlawn Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Astor Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Peninsula Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
OREGON OUTREACH Portland 0.3 mi 4.3
Portland Village School Portland 0.4 mi 7.9
Ockley Green Middle School Portland 0.7 mi 8.3
Peninsula Elementary School Portland 0.8 mi 9.2
The Ivy School Portland 0.9 mi 7.6
Beach Elementary School Portland 1.1 mi 8.9
TRINITY ACADEMY Portland 0.8 mi 8.0
SHINING STAR WALDORF SCHOOL Portland 1.0 mi 7.0
Jefferson High School Portland 1.3 mi 6.0
HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Portland 1.2 mi 6.4
Rosa Parks Elementary School Portland 1.5 mi 6.8
Cesar Chavez K-8 School Portland 1.6 mi 6.1
Boise-Eliot Elementary School Portland 2.0 mi 7.5
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Portland 1.6 mi 6.9
Kairos PDX Portland 2.0 mi 7.1
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Portland 1.9 mi 9.1
ST ANDREW NATIVITY SCHOOL Portland 1.9 mi 7.7
CHILDPEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Portland 2.6 mi 7.2
Woodlawn Elementary School Portland 1.9 mi 9.4
Astor Elementary School Portland 1.9 mi 9.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,387

Median Home Value

$569,500

Median Rent

$1,789/mo

Population

34,756

College Educated

59.4%

Homeownership

57.5%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chief Joseph Elementary School has a median household income of $100,387. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $569,500, with a median rent of $1,789/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Portland, OR 9.1
Lewis Elementary School Portland, OR 9.1
Portland Arthur Academy Charter School Portland, OR 9.1
Skyline Elementary School Portland, OR 9.1
Stanfield Elementary School Stanfield, OR 9.1
Winterhaven School Portland, OR 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chief Joseph Elementary School

What grades does Chief Joseph Elementary School serve?

Chief Joseph Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Chief Joseph Elementary School?

Chief Joseph Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph Elementary School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chief Joseph Elementary School rank in OR?

Chief Joseph Elementary School is ranked #33 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Chief Joseph Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chief Joseph Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Chief Joseph Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chief Joseph Elementary School has 49.7% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chief Joseph Elementary School a charter school?

No, Chief Joseph Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chief Joseph Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Chief Joseph Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chief Joseph Elementary School?

64.5% of students at Chief Joseph Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (6,288/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portland). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Chief Joseph Elementary School stack up?

Creston Elementary School
9.6
Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School
9.5
Grout Elementary School
9.4
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Multnomah County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Portland SD 1J
District Enrollment
44,039
Schools in District
86
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,800
District Rank
#20 of 85

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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