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Very Good

#423 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 34% in state

Jefferson High School

High School · Portland SD 1J

5210 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97217

Enrollment

525

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#423 of 1,226

In Portland

#91 of 148

public schools

In district

#66 of 85

Portland SD 1J

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Jefferson High School

7.1/10

High School in Portland · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Ivy School

8.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Holy Redeemer Catholic School

6.4/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School is a public high school in Portland, OR, part of Portland SD 1J. Jefferson High School serves approximately 525 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #423 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • OR avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Jefferson High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

83% of students at Jefferson High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.6% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.2% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness9.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,800
Chronic Absenteeism82.9%

Jefferson High School — Students at Jefferson High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 25 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
75%
2025
Math
14.6%
ELA
22.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Jefferson High School Compares

See how Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in OR
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
82.9%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·19 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 slightly 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 8.5
HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Portland 0.7 mi 6.4
Ockley Green Middle School Portland 0.6 mi 7.7
Kairos PDX Portland 0.8 mi 7.2
Boise-Eliot Elementary School Portland 0.9 mi 4.2
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Portland 0.6 mi 8.7
Beach Elementary School Portland 0.7 mi 9.3
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 9.3
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 9.2
Portland Village School Portland 1.6 mi 8.3
Vernon Elementary School Portland 1.4 mi 9.2
Irvington Elementary School Portland 1.7 mi 9.5
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 7.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Coquille Junior Senior High Coquille, OR 7.1
Rainier Jr/Sr High School Rainier, OR 7.1
Newport High School Newport, OR 6.9
Sisters High School Sisters, OR 7.4
Irrigon Junior/Senior High School Irrigon, OR 6.7
Riverside Junior/Senior High School Boardman, OR 6.7

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 ranks #423 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Jefferson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
82.9%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

Portland SD 1J
District Enrollment
44,039
Schools in District
86
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,800
District Rank
#66 of 85

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