Skip to main content

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

Charter

Enrollment

207

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 8 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
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
49.2%
ELA
61%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in OR
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
70 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
98 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
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Multnomah County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oregon Department of Education
District Enrollment
991
Schools in District
5
District Rank
#2 of 5

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.