Skip to main content

Very Good

#337 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 27% in state

Emerson School

Elementary School · Portland SD 1J

105 NW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Charter

Enrollment

134

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portland

#89 of 148

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#261 of 689

In district

#71 of 85

Portland SD 1J

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Emerson School

Emerson School serves 134 students in kindergarten through fifth grade as a public charter elementary school in Portland's Pearl District. With seven full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.1 to 1, providing a reasonably intimate learning environment for young learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #195 out of 1,231 Oregon elementary schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.

Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 62% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 52% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Emerson School draws families from Portland's affluent Pearl District neighborhood, where the median household income reaches $84,893 and home values average $582,500. The surrounding community is highly educated, with 66% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an academically supportive environment that values learning and educational achievement.

Located at 105 NW Park Ave, Emerson School sits in the heart of one of Portland's most vibrant urban neighborhoods, offering students the unique experience of attending school in a dynamic city setting while maintaining the focused, community-oriented atmosphere of a smaller charter school.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 134 students, Emerson School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Emerson School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.7%
Math vs. State Avg+23 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

Emerson School — Students at Emerson School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 68.6%
School
State
43.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
54.8%
ELA
66.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Emerson School Compares

See how Emerson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in OR
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Location

105 NW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irvington Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PORTLAND (rated 8.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ainsworth Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTHWEST ACADEMY Portland 0.5 mi 8.4
URBAN ED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Portland 0.6 mi 5.6
ST JAMES CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Portland 0.6 mi
PORTLAND CHINESE SCHOOL Portland 0.8 mi 1.8
Lincoln High School Portland 0.7 mi 8.1
CHILDPEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Portland 0.9 mi 7.2
Metropolitan Learning Center Portland 0.7 mi 8.0
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PORTLAND Portland 1.2 mi 8.7
Harriet Tubman Middle School Portland 1.2 mi 9.4
BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL Portland 1.3 mi 5.6
CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland 1.6 mi 6.5
Ainsworth Elementary School Portland 1.4 mi 8.6
Boise-Eliot Elementary School Portland 1.7 mi 7.5
Chapman Elementary School Portland 1.4 mi 5.6
Kairos PDX Portland 1.9 mi 7.1
Buckman Elementary School Portland 1.5 mi 7.9
CLASS ACADEMY Portland 1.6 mi 5.4
VILLAGE FREE SCHOOL Portland 1.5 mi 6.4
Irvington Elementary School Portland 1.7 mi 9.4
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science Portland 2.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,059

Median Home Value

$573,700

Median Rent

$1,669/mo

Population

21,727

College Educated

66.3%

Homeownership

21.7%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emerson School has a median household income of $84,059. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $573,700, with a median rent of $1,669/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Lundy Elementary School Lowell, OR 7.5
PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaverton, OR 7.5
Tangent Elementary School Tangent, OR 7.5
Clemens Primary School Philomath, OR 7.3
MORNING STAR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bend, OR 7.3
PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY Portland, OR 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson School

What grades does Emerson School serve?

Emerson School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Emerson School?

Emerson School has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson School rank in OR?

Emerson School is ranked #337 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Emerson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Emerson School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson School has 56.3% math proficiency and 68.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emerson School a charter school?

Yes, Emerson School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Emerson School a Title I school?

No, Emerson School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
100 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
93 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
98 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (6,288/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
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
#71 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.