Excellent
#232 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 19% in state
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Elementary School · Oregon Department of Education
PO Box 19816, Portland, OR 97280
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Oregon schools
#232 of 1,226
In Portland
#70 of 148
public schools
In district
#4 of 5
Oregon Department of Education
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Elementary School in Portland · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
A Renaissance School of Arts and Sciences
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cedarwood Waldorf School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is a public elementary school in Portland, OR, part of Oregon Department of Education. The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science serves approximately 207 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #232 of 1,226 schools in OR.
Structured state assessment records for The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 8.4
- OR avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science runs 20.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
32% of students at The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science — Students at The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 30 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.
How The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science Compares
See how The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 19816, Portland, OR 97280
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Llewellyn Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rieke Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Winterhaven School (rated 9.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| A RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Portland | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| CEDARWOOD WALDORF SCHOOL Portland | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL Portland | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PORTLAND Portland | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Winterhaven School Portland | 1.0 mi | 9.5 |
| L'ETOILE FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOL Portland | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| PORTLAND CHINESE SCHOOL Portland | 1.5 mi | 1.8 |
| Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School Portland | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Abernethy Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Llewellyn Elementary School Portland | 1.4 mi | 9.6 |
| VENN ACADEMY Portland | 1.4 mi | — |
| ST JAMES CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Portland | 1.7 mi | — |
| URBAN ED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Portland | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Rieke Elementary School Portland | 1.6 mi | 9.6 |
| NORTHWEST ACADEMY Portland | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Gray Middle School Portland | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Emerson School Portland | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Ainsworth Elementary School Portland | 1.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Lincoln High School Portland | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Cleveland High School Portland | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dundee Elementary School Dundee, OR | 8.0 |
| Joan Austin Elementary School Newberg, OR | 8.0 |
| Luckiamute Valley Charter School Dallas, OR | 8.0 |
| Bonanza Elementary School Bonanza, OR | 8.1 |
| Clarkes Elementary School Mulino, OR | 8.1 |
| Forest Grove Community School Forest Grove, OR | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
What grades does The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science serve?
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science?
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science has an enrollment of approximately 207 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science?
The student-teacher ratio at The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science rank in OR?
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science ranks #232 of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science's MySchoolScout rating?
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science?
Based on loaded state assessment records, The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science a charter school?
Yes, The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science a Title I school?
No, The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 207
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Multnomah County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.4%
- Phone
- (503) 244-1697
Resources & Links
District
Oregon Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 991
- Schools in District
- 5
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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