Very Good
#313 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 25% in state
Gray Middle School
Middle School · Portland SD 1J
5505 SW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97239
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portland
#85 of 148
public schools
Oregon middle schools
#32 of 207
In district
#67 of 85
Portland SD 1J
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Gray Middle School
Gray Middle School serves 471 students in grades 6-8 in Portland's affluent southwest neighborhood. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for middle schoolers navigating this crucial transition period. Academically, Gray Middle School demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #258 out of 1,231 Oregon schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.
The school particularly excels in English Language Arts, where 70% of students score proficient or above across all grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 47% of students meeting proficiency standards, suggesting the school is working to strengthen STEM outcomes. The school benefits from its location in an educated, economically stable community where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $103,323 and a low poverty rate of 9.9%, factors that often correlate with family engagement and educational support. Gray Middle School operates in Portland's dynamic urban environment, offering students access to the cultural and educational resources of Oregon's largest city while serving a well-established residential community in the southwest district.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Gray Middle School is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gray Middle School — Students at Gray Middle School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.
How Gray Middle School Compares
See how Gray Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 57.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 70.7% (2025).
Location
5505 SW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97239
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gray Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rieke Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bridlemile Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maplewood Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HILLTOP EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Portland | 0.3 mi | — |
| MAIMONIDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Portland | 0.5 mi | — |
| PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY Portland | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Rieke Elementary School Portland | 0.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School Portland | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Capitol Hill Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ST CLARE SCHOOL Portland | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Portland | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Bridlemile Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| L'ETOILE FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOL Portland | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ST JOHN FISHER Portland | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| WEST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL-VERMONT Portland | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Ainsworth Elementary School Portland | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Hayhurst Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| A RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Portland | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Maplewood Elementary School Portland | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science Portland | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL Portland | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Riverdale High School Portland | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97239 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,795
Median Home Value
$713,100
Median Rent
$1,749/mo
Population
18,224
College Educated
73.6%
Homeownership
44.9%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gray Middle School has a median household income of $108,795. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $713,100, with a median rent of $1,749/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Athey Creek Middle School West Linn, OR | 7.6 |
| Hood River Middle School Hood River, OR | 7.6 |
| Otto Petersen Elementary School Scappoose, OR | 7.4 |
| Walter L Kraxberger Middle School Gladstone, OR | 7.6 |
| Agnes Stewart Middle School Springfield, OR | 7.3 |
| Crook County Middle School Prineville, OR | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gray Middle School
What grades does Gray Middle School serve?
Gray Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Gray Middle School?
Gray Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 471 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gray Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gray Middle School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gray Middle School rank in OR?
Gray Middle School is ranked #313 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Gray Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gray Middle School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Gray Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gray Middle School has 58.4% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gray Middle School a charter school?
No, Gray Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gray Middle School a Title I school?
No, Gray Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gray Middle School?
24.8% of students at Gray Middle 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 471
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Multnomah County
- Phone
- (503) 916-5676
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portland SD 1J- District Enrollment
- 44,039
- Schools in District
- 86
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,800
- District Rank
- #67 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 methodologyRelated reading
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