Excellent
#189 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 15% 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portland
#62 of 148
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#155 of 689
In district
#2 of 5
Oregon Department of Education
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science serves 207 students from kindergarten through eighth grade as a charter elementary school in Portland, Oregon. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7 to 1, providing a structured learning environment for its K-8 community. Academically, the school demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks 204th among Oregon's 1,231 schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
Students excel particularly in English Language Arts and reading, with 72% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 47% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. As a charter school, The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science likely offers specialized programming that aligns with its civics and science focus, though the specific curriculum details distinguish it from traditional public schools in the district.
The school's academic score of 9.1 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Located in Portland's urban landscape, the school serves families seeking an alternative public education option within Multnomah County's diverse educational ecosystem.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is 20.7:1, 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.
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 61% (2025).
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. Rieke Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Llewellyn Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abernethy Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 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 | 9.1 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Abernethy Elementary School Portland | 1.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Llewellyn Elementary School Portland | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| 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 | 9.4 |
| NORTHWEST ACADEMY Portland | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Gray Middle School Portland | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Emerson School Portland | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Ainsworth Elementary School Portland | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Lincoln High School Portland | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Cleveland High School Portland | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brush College Elementary School Salem, OR | 8.0 |
| Crestview Heights School Waldport, OR | 8.0 |
| Farmington View Elementary School Hillsboro, OR | 8.0 |
| Heppner Elementary School Heppner, OR | 8.0 |
| Holley Elementary School Sweet Home, OR | 8.0 |
| Joseph Conger Elementary School Klamath Falls, OR | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #189 out 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 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 The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science has 40.8% math proficiency and 66.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- Phone
- (503) 244-1697
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oregon Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 991
- Schools in District
- 5
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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