Excellent
#7 of 186 private schools in OR
Top 3% of private schools
Northwest Academy
High School
1130 SW MAIN ST, Portland, OR 97205
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 144 schools in Portland. Learn more
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
5.6:1
Score
8.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
5.6:1
Score
8.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Portland
#5 of 55
public schools
Oregon high schools
#2 of 23
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Northwest Academy
Northwest Academy serves 239 students in grades 6-12 in Portland's downtown core, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptional 5.6:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school stands out with 42 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention that contributes to its strong academic reputation. The school has earned an impressive 8.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #29 out of 186 Oregon schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.
This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective teaching practices that benefit from the remarkably low student-teacher ratio. Northwest Academy draws students to Portland's urban educational landscape, where families value learning and achievement. The surrounding 97205 zip code demonstrates a strong commitment to education, with 58% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood reflects Portland's character with a median household income of $56,739 and median home values of $637,400, though it maintains economic diversity with a 17.7% poverty rate among its 8,861 residents. Located at 1130 SW Main Street, Northwest Academy provides families with a high-performing school option in the heart of one of Oregon's most vibrant and educationally-focused urban communities.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, Northwest Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Northwest Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $35,001
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $34,308
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.98x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 86%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $26.6M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 239 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Northwest Academy compares to 64 public schools serving similar grades in Portland, OR
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Northwest Academy (this school) | 8.4 |
| Lincoln High School | 8.1 |
| Metropolitan Learning Center | 8.0 |
| Harriet Tubman Middle School | 9.4 |
| The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science | 8.0 |
| Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School | 9.5 |
| da Vinci Middle School | 8.7 |
| Winterhaven School | 9.1 |
| Hosford Middle School | 8.1 |
| Gray Middle School | 7.5 |
| Cleveland High School | 8.8 |
| Sunnyside Environmental School | 8.8 |
| Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School | 8.0 |
| Beverly Cleary School | 8.6 |
| Jefferson High School | 6.0 |
| The Ivy School | 7.6 |
| Grant High School | 7.5 |
| Laurelhurst Elementary School | 8.4 |
| Hayhurst Elementary School | 8.5 |
| Ockley Green Middle School | 8.3 |
| Vernon Elementary School | 8.9 |
Showing 20 of 64 schools. View all schools in Portland
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in OR.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in OR
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1130 SW MAIN ST, Portland, OR 97205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harriet Tubman Middle School (rated 9.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Abernethy Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PORTLAND (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| URBAN ED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Portland | 0.0 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JAMES CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Portland | 0.2 mi | — |
| PORTLAND CHINESE SCHOOL Portland | 0.4 mi | 1.8 |
| Lincoln High School Portland | 0.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Emerson School Portland | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Metropolitan Learning Center Portland | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL Portland | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PORTLAND Portland | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Ainsworth Elementary School Portland | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| CHILDPEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Portland | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Chapman Elementary School Portland | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Harriet Tubman Middle School Portland | 1.7 mi | 9.4 |
| A RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Portland | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science Portland | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| CLASS ACADEMY Portland | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Portland | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Boise-Eliot Elementary School Portland | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Abernethy Elementary School Portland | 1.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Buckman Elementary School Portland | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,943
Median Home Value
$693,600
Median Rent
$1,381/mo
Population
9,232
College Educated
60.7%
Homeownership
19.8%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Academy has a median household income of $58,943. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $693,600, with a median rent of $1,381/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Heppner Junior/Senior High School Heppner, OR | 8.4 |
| PORTLAND ADVENTIST ACADEMY Portland, OR | 8.4 |
| Riverdale High School Portland, OR | 8.4 |
| Waldport High School Waldport, OR | 8.6 |
| Early College High School Salem, OR | 8.1 |
| Pilot Rock High School Pilot Rock, OR | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Academy
What grades does Northwest Academy serve?
Northwest Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwest Academy?
Northwest Academy has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Academy is 5.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Northwest Academy rank in OR?
Northwest Academy is ranked #7 out of 186 private schools in OR.
What is Northwest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Academy has a composite rating of 8.4 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.
Is Northwest Academy a private school?
Yes, Northwest Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Northwest Academy a religious school?
No, Northwest Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 239
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 8.1 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- MULTNOMAH
- Phone
- (500) 322-3336
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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