Excellent
#207 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 17% in state
Ida B. Wells-barnett High School
High School · Portland SD 1J
1151 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR 97219
Enrollment
1,650
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,650
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portland
#66 of 148
public schools
Oregon high schools
#15 of 250
In district
#58 of 85
Portland SD 1J
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Ida B. Wells-barnett High School
Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School serves 1,650 students in grades 9-12 in southwest Portland, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1 across 81 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth as evidenced by reading proficiency at 22% and math proficiency at 17% across grade levels.
Despite academic challenges that place the school in the 4th percentile statewide, Ida B. Wells-Barnett serves a community with strong educational values and resources. The surrounding area reflects an economically stable neighborhood where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting families who prioritize education and may provide additional support for student success.
The school's large enrollment creates opportunities for diverse programming and peer connections, while the substantial teaching staff works to support student achievement. As a regular public high school, it provides comprehensive secondary education in an urban environment where students can access the broader cultural and educational resources that Portland offers. Ida B.
Wells-Barnett High School sits in a thriving southwest Portland neighborhood characterized by median household incomes of $114,341 and home values around $622,600, with low poverty rates of just 5.9%, creating a community environment that supports educational aspirations.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ida B. Wells-barnett High School is 20.4:1, 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
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Ida B. Wells-barnett High School — Students at Ida B. Wells-barnett High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.8%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Ida B. Wells-barnett High School Compares
See how Ida B. Wells-barnett High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 30.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 54.8% (2025).
Location
1151 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR 97219
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ida B. Wells-barnett High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rieke Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Llewellyn Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bridlemile Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rieke Elementary School Portland | 0.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Gray Middle School Portland | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| L'ETOILE FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOL Portland | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| MAIMONIDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Portland | 0.6 mi | — |
| Capitol Hill Elementary School Portland | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| ST CLARE SCHOOL Portland | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY Portland | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| HILLTOP EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Portland | 0.9 mi | — |
| A RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Portland | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Riverdale High School Portland | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science Portland | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL Portland | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PORTLAND Portland | 2.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Ainsworth Elementary School Portland | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
| ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Portland | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| PORTLAND CHINESE SCHOOL Portland | 2.4 mi | 1.8 |
| ST JOHN FISHER Portland | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Bridlemile Elementary School Portland | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Llewellyn Elementary School Portland | 1.8 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,525
Median Home Value
$651,600
Median Rent
$1,603/mo
Population
43,111
College Educated
66.1%
Homeownership
71.5%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ida B. Wells-barnett High School has a median household income of $115,525. 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 $651,600, with a median rent of $1,603/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaverton High School Beaverton, OR | 8.0 |
| Sunset High School Portland, OR | 8.0 |
| Lincoln High School Portland, OR | 8.1 |
| Grant High School Portland, OR | 7.5 |
| Lake Oswego Senior High School Lake Oswego, OR | 7.5 |
| Mountain View Senior High School Bend, OR | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ida B. Wells-barnett High School
What grades does Ida B. Wells-barnett High School serve?
Ida B. Wells-barnett High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ida B. Wells-barnett High School?
Ida B. Wells-barnett High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,650 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ida B. Wells-barnett High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ida B. Wells-barnett High School is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ida B. Wells-barnett High School rank in OR?
Ida B. Wells-barnett High School is ranked #207 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Ida B. Wells-barnett High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ida B. Wells-barnett High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Ida B. Wells-barnett High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ida B. Wells-barnett High School has 23.0% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ida B. Wells-barnett High School a charter school?
No, Ida B. Wells-barnett High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ida B. Wells-barnett High School a Title I school?
No, Ida B. Wells-barnett High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ida B. Wells-barnett High School?
19.8% of students at Ida B. Wells-barnett High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,650
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 81
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Multnomah County
- Phone
- (503) 916-5280
- 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
- #58 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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