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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.8%
Math vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.8 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
43.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
30.1%
ELA
54.8%

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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in OR
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
81 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
63 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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