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Excellent

#103 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 8% 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

8.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#103 of 1,226

In Portland

#45 of 148

public schools

In district

#35 of 85

Portland SD 1J

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Gray Middle School

8.8/10

Middle School in Portland · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hilltop Early Learning Academy

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Maimonides Jewish Day School

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Gray Middle School

Gray Middle School is a public middle school in Portland, OR, part of Portland SD 1J. Gray Middle School serves approximately 471 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Gray Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #103 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Gray Middle School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.0
  • OR avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Gray Middle School runs 20.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

37% of students at Gray Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.3% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.7% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.7 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment6.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,800
Chronic Absenteeism36.7%

Gray Middle School — Students at Gray Middle School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 78.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 26 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
57.3%
ELA
70.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.

How Gray Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.8/10
92th percentile in OR
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Riverdale High School (rated 9.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bridlemile Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly 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 9.6
Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School Portland 0.7 mi 5.7
Capitol Hill Elementary School Portland 1.3 mi 9.0
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 9.3
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 9.2
Hayhurst Elementary School Portland 1.3 mi 9.2
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 8.7
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 9.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beaumont Middle School Portland, OR 8.8
Hosford Middle School Portland, OR 8.7
Sellwood Middle School Portland, OR 8.7
Hood River Middle School Hood River, OR 8.6
Mt Tabor Middle School Portland, OR 8.6
Ashland Middle School Ashland, OR 8.4

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 ranks #103 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Gray Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gray Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Gray Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gray Middle School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.7%

District

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

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