Skip to main content

Very Good

#314 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 26% in state

James John Elementary School

Elementary School · Portland SD 1J

7439 N Charleston Ave, Portland, OR 97203

Enrollment

349

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portland

#86 of 148

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#244 of 689

In district

#68 of 85

Portland SD 1J

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About James John Elementary School

James John Elementary School serves 349 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Portland's 97203 neighborhood. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #183 out of 1,231 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Oregon schools.

While academic performance shows room for growth, with 37% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 30% in mathematics, the school's strong overall ranking suggests effective teaching and supportive programs beyond test scores alone. James John Elementary is situated in a diverse community where the median household income is $74,493 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects Portland's dynamic character, with median home values around $448,500 indicating a stable residential area, though the 21.1% poverty rate shows the economic diversity that enriches the school community.

Located on North Charleston Avenue, James John Elementary operates within Portland's large urban setting, providing students with access to the cultural and educational opportunities that come with city life while maintaining the close-knit feel of a neighborhood elementary school.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.8%
Math vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

James John Elementary School — Students at James John Elementary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 35.6%
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
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
23.4%
ELA
32.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.

How James John Elementary School Compares

See how James John Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in OR
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

7439 N Charleston Ave, Portland, OR 97203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James John Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Astor Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sitton Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peninsula Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
THE MONTESORRI HOUSE OF ST JOHNS Portland 0.1 mi
Sitton Elementary School Portland 0.7 mi 9.2
Roosevelt High School Portland 0.7 mi 5.7
George Middle School Portland 0.8 mi 7.2
Astor Elementary School Portland 1.3 mi 9.3
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Portland 1.6 mi 6.9
Cesar Chavez K-8 School Portland 1.6 mi 6.1
Rosa Parks Elementary School Portland 1.9 mi 6.8
SHINING STAR WALDORF SCHOOL Portland 2.2 mi 7.0
Peninsula Elementary School Portland 2.6 mi 9.2
Forest Park Elementary School Portland 3.5 mi 8.3
Portland Village School Portland 3.0 mi 7.9
Chief Joseph Elementary School Portland 3.2 mi 9.1
FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF OREGON Portland 4.3 mi 8.2
OREGON OUTREACH Portland 3.2 mi 4.3
Bonny Slope Elementary School Portland 4.1 mi 7.1
CLASS ACADEMY Portland 4.3 mi 5.4
Cedar Mill Elementary School Portland 4.6 mi 8.6
Findley Elementary Portland 4.0 mi 6.5
Chapman Elementary School Portland 4.5 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,619

Median Home Value

$468,600

Median Rent

$1,551/mo

Population

33,159

College Educated

45%

Homeownership

58.9%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.5%

Median Age

34.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding James John Elementary School has a median household income of $77,619. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $468,600, with a median rent of $1,551/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Adams Elementary School Corvallis, OR 7.5
Archer Glen Elementary School Sherwood, OR 7.5
Boise-Eliot Elementary School Portland, OR 7.5
Loma Vista Elementary Hermiston, OR 7.5
M A Lynch Elementary School Redmond, OR 7.5
Mark Twain Elementary Silverton, OR 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James John Elementary School

What grades does James John Elementary School serve?

James John Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend James John Elementary School?

James John Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James John Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at James John Elementary School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James John Elementary School rank in OR?

James John Elementary School is ranked #314 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is James John Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

James John Elementary 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 James John Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James John Elementary School has 27.5% math proficiency and 35.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James John Elementary School a charter school?

No, James John Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James John Elementary School a Title I school?

No, James John Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James John Elementary School?

64.5% of students at James John Elementary 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
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
93 Biker’s Paradise
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
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
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
#68 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.