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Excellent

#205 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 17% in state

Sellwood Middle School

Middle School · Portland SD 1J

8300 SE 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Enrollment

567

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portland

#64 of 148

public schools

Oregon middle schools

#18 of 207

In district

#56 of 85

Portland SD 1J

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Sellwood Middle School

Sellwood Middle School serves 567 students in grades 6-8 in Portland's desirable Sellwood neighborhood. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1 and has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, ranking in the 77th percentile among Oregon middle schools. Academically, Sellwood Middle School demonstrates strong performance, particularly in English Language Arts where 68% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels.

Mathematics shows room for growth with 49% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community, where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $94,983.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 10% and median home values of $657,700 reflect the area's desirability and investment in education. Located at 8300 SE 15th Ave, Sellwood Middle School sits in one of Portland's most sought-after neighborhoods, known for its walkable streets, local businesses, and strong sense of community along the Willamette River.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sellwood Middle School is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.3%
Math vs. State Avg+33.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.3 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,309

Sellwood Middle School — Students at Sellwood Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.2%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 72.1%
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
66%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
65.7%
ELA
71.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How Sellwood Middle School Compares

See how Sellwood Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in OR
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

8300 SE 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sellwood Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Grout Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Llewellyn Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverdale Grade School (rated 9.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Llewellyn Elementary School Portland 1.0 mi 9.3
PORTLAND WALDORF SCHOOL Milwaukie 1.3 mi 7.2
Duniway Elementary School Portland 1.1 mi 8.6
Riverdale Grade School Portland 1.6 mi 9.1
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukie 1.5 mi 7.9
Milwaukie Academy of the Arts Milwaukie 1.6 mi 4.8
Milwaukie High School Milwaukie 1.6 mi 3.8
Milwaukie El Puente Elementary School Milwaukie 1.6 mi 6.9
Ardenwald Elementary School Milwaukie 1.3 mi 8.3
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Portland 1.4 mi 6.4
PUDDLETOWN SCHOOL Portland 1.5 mi 7.3
L'ETOILE FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOL Portland 1.5 mi 7.0
TUCKER MAXON SCHOOL Portland 2.0 mi 7.4
Winterhaven School Portland 2.2 mi 9.1
Grout Elementary School Portland 2.1 mi 9.4
WHOLE CHILD MONTESSORI CENTER Portland 1.8 mi
Lewis Elementary School Portland 1.8 mi 9.1
Riverdale High School Portland 1.7 mi 8.4
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science Portland 2.3 mi 8.0
Cleveland High School Portland 2.5 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,353

Median Home Value

$684,800

Median Rent

$1,674/mo

Population

44,107

College Educated

64.7%

Homeownership

50.6%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sellwood Middle School has a median household income of $100,353. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $684,800, with a median rent of $1,674/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Ashland Middle School Ashland, OR 8.1
Hosford Middle School Portland, OR 8.1
Briggs Middle School Springfield, OR 7.8
Cascade Middle School Bend, OR 7.8
Jackson Middle School Portland, OR 7.8
North Albany Middle School Albany, OR 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sellwood Middle School

What grades does Sellwood Middle School serve?

Sellwood Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sellwood Middle School?

Sellwood Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 567 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sellwood Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sellwood Middle School is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sellwood Middle School rank in OR?

Sellwood Middle School is ranked #205 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Sellwood Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sellwood Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Sellwood Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sellwood Middle School has 60.2% math proficiency and 72.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sellwood Middle School a charter school?

No, Sellwood Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sellwood Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sellwood Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sellwood Middle School?

16.8% of students at Sellwood Middle 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
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
99 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.8%
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
#56 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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