Summary:
David Douglas School District 40 educates about 8,716 students across 14 schools — 10 elementary, 3 middle, and 1 high school — in the eastern Portland metro area, and it ranks 107th of 141 Oregon districts, at the 24th percentile with a 1-star rating. In 2025–2026, district proficiency trails Oregon in every core subject: 35.1% in English language arts vs 43.8% statewide, 24.6% in math vs 32.9%, and 22.1% in science vs 30.6%.
Arthur Academy is the district's clear academic standout: 68.8% ELA, 48.4% math, and 57.9% science, ranking 105th of 709 elementary schools at the 85th percentile with 4 stars. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (9.3%), the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.0), the lowest spending ($11,111), and the smallest enrollment (156) — though its small size and unusually low reported spending make direct comparisons imperfect. Cherry Park Elementary School is the strongest traditional district elementary, topping state averages in ELA (55.0%) and math (45.7%) with 3 stars. Menlo Park Elementary School (math 34.3%) and West Powellhurst Elementary School are both improving, though West Powellhurst's 3rd-grade math proficiency is under 5%, a serious early-grade weakness.
At the other end, Lincoln Park Elementary School ranks lowest in the district — 663rd of 709, 6th percentile, 0 stars. Ron Russell Middle School posts the weakest middle school results, and David Douglas High School has the district's highest chronic absenteeism at 41.9% and a 73.8% graduation rate vs 83.0% statewide; district chronic absenteeism is 34.5% vs 33.5% statewide. Science is the broadest weakness, with most schools between 11% and 24%. Spending and class size do not explain outcomes — Arthur spends least and performs best, while Cherry Park spends most and also performs well. Reported free/reduced-lunch rates exceed 100% at several schools, signaling concentrated poverty across the district.
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