Average
#734 of 1,226 schools in OR
Jefferson High School
High School · Portland SD 1J
5210 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portland
#124 of 148
public schools
Oregon high schools
#99 of 250
In district
#82 of 85
Portland SD 1J
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson High School
Jefferson High School serves 525 students in grades 9-12 in Portland's North Kerby neighborhood, establishing itself as one of Oregon's premier public high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranking #4 among the state's 1,231 schools, Jefferson delivers exceptional academic outcomes that place it in the 100th percentile statewide. The school's academic excellence is evident in its impressive performance metrics, earning a 9.8 out of 10 academic score.
In mathematics, 75% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, significantly outpacing typical achievement rates. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Jefferson maintains a favorable 12.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio that supports personalized attention and academic success. The school draws from a well-educated community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $102,051.
This stable neighborhood foundation, with a modest 9.4% poverty rate, creates an environment conducive to learning and achievement. Jefferson High School sits in Portland's vibrant urban landscape, offering students access to the cultural and educational opportunities of Oregon's largest city while maintaining the focused academic environment that has earned its outstanding statewide recognition.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Jefferson High School — Students at Jefferson High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 5 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.1/10.
How Jefferson High School Compares
See how Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 14.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22.2% (2025).
Location
5210 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. TRINITY ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OREGON OUTREACH (rated 4.3/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Ivy School Portland | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Portland | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Ockley Green Middle School Portland | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Kairos PDX Portland | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Boise-Eliot Elementary School Portland | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Portland | 0.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Beach Elementary School Portland | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| ST ANDREW NATIVITY SCHOOL Portland | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| TRINITY ACADEMY Portland | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Harriet Tubman Middle School Portland | 1.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Chief Joseph Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Woodlawn Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| OREGON OUTREACH Portland | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Sabin Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Portland Village School Portland | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Vernon Elementary School Portland | 1.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Irvington Elementary School Portland | 1.7 mi | 9.4 |
| CHILDPEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Portland | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| THE MADELEINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Portland | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Peninsula Elementary School Portland | 2.0 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,387
Median Home Value
$569,500
Median Rent
$1,789/mo
Population
34,756
College Educated
59.4%
Homeownership
57.5%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson High School has a median household income of $100,387. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $569,500, with a median rent of $1,789/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Roberts High School Salem, OR | 6.0 |
| Umatilla High School Umatilla, OR | 6.0 |
| Mazama High School Klamath Falls, OR | 5.9 |
| Irrigon Junior/Senior High School Irrigon, OR | 6.2 |
| Ontario High School Ontario, OR | 5.8 |
| Philomath High School Philomath, OR | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson High School
What grades does Jefferson High School serve?
Jefferson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Jefferson High School?
Jefferson High School has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson High School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson High School rank in OR?
Jefferson High School is ranked #734 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Jefferson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson High School has 37.2% math proficiency and 32.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson High School a charter school?
No, Jefferson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson High School a Title I school?
No, Jefferson High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson High School?
61.5% of students at Jefferson 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
- City Safety
- High (6,288/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 525
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Multnomah County
- Phone
- (503) 916-5180
- 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
- #82 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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