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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.2%
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

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 37.2%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 32.1%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 5 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
75%
2025
Math
14.6%
ELA
22.2%

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.

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in OR
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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