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
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sellwood Middle School — Students at Sellwood Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 65.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 71.3% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (503) 916-5656
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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