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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.7%
Math vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.7 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

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 58.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.9%
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
71%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
57.3%
ELA
70.7%

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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in OR
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable
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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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