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Emerson School

Public, Charter Grades K-5

21^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 709 Oregon Elementary Schools

Better than 97% of Oregon elementary schools

Summary

Emerson School is a small public K–5 elementary school with 130 students in downtown Portland, OR, part of Portland School District 1J. It currently ranks among Oregon’s top elementary schools, finishing 21st of 709 in 2025–2026 (97th percentile, 5 stars), a sharp jump from 86th of 706 (88th percentile, 4 stars) in 2024–2025.

Academically, Emerson is excellent in English language arts and science and very strong in math. In 2025–2026, 83.3% of students met ELA standards, 70.4% met math standards, and 75.0% met science standards—well above district and state averages. Among nearby schools, its ELA proficiency is third-highest, behind Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School (86.7%) and Winterhaven School (86.5%); its science proficiency is second only to Winterhaven School (77.0%). Math is strong but ranks fifth nearby, below Winterhaven School, Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School, Ainsworth Elementary School, and Abernethy Elementary School. Grade-level data show 4th-grade ELA at 87.0%, the highest among nearby K–5 schools, while 5th-grade math at 53.8% is the clearest relative weakness—still above district and state averages. Chronic absenteeism was 20.8%, much lower than the district (32.5%) and state (33.5%), and better than six of ten nearby schools, though higher than Winterhaven School (12.1%) and Ainsworth Elementary School (14.8%).

Emerson is also very small: 130 students, the smallest in this comparison group, and it reports $12,228 per student versus $22,111–$24,159 at several neighboring PPS elementary schools, though some nearby schools report the same figure and spending comparisons may not be exact. Available subgroup results are broadly positive, but recent data is missing for some groups. The local landscape is highly competitive, with Winterhaven School ranked 1st, Abernethy Elementary School 11th, Ainsworth Elementary School 14th, and Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School 15th. Data limitations include blank free/reduced lunch information for Emerson and some suppressed or bounded scores for other schools. Overall, Emerson is a high-performing, small K–5 school with standout ELA and science results, good attendance, and 5th-grade math as its main relative area to watch.

130

Students ?

18.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,228

Per pupil spending ?

6.5%

Directly certified for free meals (2021-22) ?

91.4%

Students (K-12) with all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 7.8% (any vaccine)

1800 SW 1st Ave Ste 1
Portland, OR 97201-5321

(503) 525-6124

District: Portland School District 1J

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.6%

Two or more races:

16.2%

Hispanic:

15.4%

See top rated Oregon elementary schools

Compare Emerson School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 96th percentile in 2015 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Oregon average (77% vs 37% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Oregon elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Portland School District 1J

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school77%

District avg53%

Oregon avg37%

21^st of 709

Oregon public elementary schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 12 pts since 2016

From top 15% (2016) to top 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Oregon Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

13^th of 60Elementary Schools in the Portland School District 1J

12^th of 141Portland School District 1J among Oregon districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Oregon percentile	Rating
2026	96.7	21 of 709	97.0%	★★★★★
2025	85.1	86 of 706	87.8%	★★★★☆
2024	85.1	87 of 710	87.7%	★★★★☆
2023	75.1	146 of 706	79.3%	★★★★☆
2022	77.5	133 of 706	81.2%	★★★★☆
2019	88.7	61 of 705	91.3%	★★★★★
2018	92.1	41 of 709	94.2%	★★★★★
2017	81.6	105 of 701	85.0%	★★★★☆
2016	81.0	104 of 697	85.1%	★★★★☆
2015	94.9	25 of 706	96.5%	★★★★★
2014	94.8	10 of 695	98.6%	★★★★★
2013	94.8	12 of 707	98.3%	★★★★★
2012	93.4	21 of 730	97.1%	★★★★★
2011	91.4	8 of 695	98.8%	★★★★★
2010	84.0	65 of 674	90.4%	★★★★★
2009	84.6	57 of 665	91.4%	★★★★★
2008	69.1	172 of 655	73.7%	★★★★☆
2007	80.2	77 of 652	88.2%	★★★★☆
2006	31.1	505 of 636	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	77.5	89 of 629	85.9%	★★★★☆
2004	39.5	399 of 586	31.9%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Oregon percentile	Rating
2026	95.8	21 of 655	96.8%	★★★★★
2025	95.0	23 of 653	96.5%	★★★★★
2024	77.8	117 of 658	82.2%	★★★★☆
2023	51.6	277 of 652	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	92.6	33 of 681	95.2%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Oregon percentile	Rating
2022	77.8	131 of 703	81.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Oregon percentile	Rating
2023	77.2	118 of 665	82.3%	★★★★☆
2022	80.4	94 of 654	85.6%	★★★★☆
2019	87.2	63 of 623	89.9%	★★★★★
2018	88.9	57 of 680	91.6%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Oregon percentile	Rating
2018	83.6	21 of 212	90.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Oregon percentile	Rating
2026	95.8	13 of 670	98.1%	★★★★★
2025	78.9	114 of 669	83.0%	★★★★☆
2024	75.5	137 of 670	79.6%	★★★★☆
2023	73.6	142 of 656	78.4%	★★★★☆
2022	78.6	104 of 666	84.4%	★★★★☆
2019	86.4	67 of 662	89.9%	★★★★★
2018	85.9	67 of 683	90.2%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)97th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2018)90th percentile-4 vs school

Male (2023)82nd percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2022)81st percentile~ school

By subject vs Oregon (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts83%+40 vs state

Science75%+44 vs state

Mathematics70%+38 vs state

4.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, June 11, 2012

Its a shame the previous poster had a bad experience...I'm a parent and all the other parents I know at Emerson are thrilled with their experience there. The school is small in size and has a real community feel. I am so happy my daughter got in there, she has made such good friends and is excited to learn. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

We used to love Emerson, thought the world of it's project approach method and it's teachers, until we had a bully problem that wasn't getting taken care of. Not only did we get 'lip service' from the staff and administration, but I think they truly believe there is no problem. They are in complete denial and since we didn't see things changing any time soon, we pulled our child last year and are now much happier at our local school. It's really too bad as they have tons of potential. Close Quote

Schools Near Emerson School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				OSAS English Language Arts (2026)							OSAS Mathematics (2026)							OSAS Science (2026)			Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	OSAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	OSAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	OSAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	OSAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	OSAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	OSAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	OSAS English Language Arts All Grades	OSAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	OSAS Mathematics 4th Grade	OSAS Mathematics 5th Grade	OSAS Mathematics 6th Grade	OSAS Mathematics 7th Grade	OSAS Mathematics 8th Grade	OSAS Mathematics All Grades	OSAS Science 5th Grade	OSAS Science 8th Grade	OSAS Science All Grades	Vaccination: Students (K-12) with all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Emerson School	Public, Charter	K-5	1800 SW 1st Ave Ste 1	Portland	97201	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 525-6124	130	7	18.3	—	84 (64.6%)	4 (3.1%)	20 (15.4%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (16.2%)	96.7	21^st of 709 public elementary schools	97.0%		85.1	86^th of 706 public elementary schools	87.8%	65	83.3	87.0	76.9				83.3	72.2	78.3	53.8				70.4	75.0		75.0	91.4%	7.8%	$12,228	$802	$11,426
Ainsworth Elementary School	Public	K-5	2425 SW Vista Ave	Portland	97201	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	No	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 916-6288	587	31	18.6	42.1%	330 (56.2%)	12 (2.0%)	153 (26.1%)	30 (5.1%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (10.1%)	97.1	14^th of 709 public elementary schools	98.0%		97.4	14^th of 706 public elementary schools	98.0%		68.2	74.7	82.8				75.5	78.4	82.1	74.7				78.4	65.7		65.7	94.1%	4.5%	$22,111	$895	$21,216
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science	Public, Charter	K-8	2510 SW 1st Ave	Portland	97201	Multnomah County	Oregon Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 244-1697	198	12	16.7	—	102 (51.5%)	7 (3.5%)	32 (16.2%)	6 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	33 (16.7%)	71.5	170^th of 709 public elementary schools	76.0%		86	81^st of 706 public elementary schools	88.5%	89	33.3		70.0	80.0	75.0	54.5	65.4	33.3		40.0	33.3	62.5	27.3	40.7	65.0	9.1	45.2
Abernethy Elementary School	Public	K-5	2421 SE Orange Ave	Portland	97214	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	No	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 916-6190	285	15	19.2	41.8%	224 (78.6%)	4 (1.4%)	24 (8.4%)	6 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (9.1%)	97.9	11^th of 709 public elementary schools	98.4%		98.4	8^th of 706 public elementary schools	98.9%	3	81.8	78.3	86.3				82.3	75.0	75.6	67.3				72.3	71.7		71.7	94.8%	3.4%	$23,242	$899	$22,343
Portland Village School	Public, Charter	K-8	4650 S Macadam Ave	Portland	97239	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 445-0056	408	26	15.9	21.6%	284 (69.6%)	8 (2.0%)	49 (12.0%)	11 (2.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (10.5%)	55.5	276^th of 709 public elementary schools	61.1%		47.4	330^th of 706 public elementary schools	53.3%	54	34.0	43.9	57.1	46.7	62.9	52.2	48.9	51.0	29.3	38.8	31.1	47.2	61.4	43.2	39.6	36.7	38.1	73.2%	26.1%	$12,228	$802	$11,426
Buckman Elementary School	Public	K-5	320 SE 16th Ave	Portland	97214	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	No	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 916-6230	306	21	14.5	42.2%	183 (59.8%)	11 (3.6%)	51 (16.7%)	6 (2.0%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (14.4%)	65.2	206^th of 709 public elementary schools	70.9%		69.8	170^th of 706 public elementary schools	75.9%	36	51.1	37.7	63.4				52.1	48.9	30.8	41.4				40.1	52.9		52.9	89.2%	9.7%	$24,044	$904	$23,140
Winterhaven School	Public	K-8	3830 SE 14th Ave	Portland	97202	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	No	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 916-6200	322	16	20.0	41.6%	232 (72.0%)	5 (1.6%)	24 (7.5%)	16 (5.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (13.4%)	99.4	1^st of 709 public elementary schools	99.9%		99.5	2^nd of 706 public elementary schools	99.7%	1	88.5	86.2	86.2	87.8	87.8	83.0	86.5	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	82.8	85.7	91.8	80.9	88.2	72.4	80.0	77.0	92.9%	7.1%	$22,506	$916	$21,590
Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2044 E Burnside St	Portland	97214	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 467-7529	376	30	12.5	—	291 (77.4%)	9 (2.4%)	21 (5.6%)	8 (2.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (11.7%)	97	15^th of 709 public elementary schools	97.9%		99.2	3^rd of 706 public elementary schools	99.6%	12	80.0	80.9	85.7	92.1	≥ 95%	87.1	86.7	71.1	89.4	61.9	94.7	86.5	80.6	80.4	52.4	51.6	52.1	91.6%	8.4%	$12,228	$802	$11,426
Chapman Elementary School	Public	K-5	1445 NW 26th Ave	Portland	97210	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	No	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 916-6295	353	21	17.0	41.4%	175 (49.6%)	28 (7.9%)	52 (14.7%)	22 (6.2%)	6 (1.7%)	3 (0.8%)	65 (18.4%)	62.5	231^st of 709 public elementary schools	67.4%		54.8	273^rd of 706 public elementary schools	61.3%	42	37.5	50.0	66.0				50.9	36.2	42.4	55.3				44.4	40.4		40.4	92%	6.8%	$24,159	$1,336	$22,823
Sunnyside Environmental School	Public	K-8	3421 SE Salmon St	Portland	97214	Multnomah County	Portland School District 1J	No	(n/a)	No	No	(503) 916-6226	461	25	18.2	41.6%	316 (68.5%)	9 (2.0%)	52 (11.3%)	9 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	63 (13.7%)	84.5	91^st of 709 public elementary schools	87.2%		84.5	90^th of 706 public elementary schools	87.3%	1	61.2	68.8	54.7	61.7	54.9	69.6	61.8	62.5	62.5	42.3	54.0	46.2	46.6	52.0	52.8	48.4	50.4	89.6%	10%	$22,652	$1,246	$21,405

Frequently Asked Questions about Emerson School

What district is Emerson School in?

Portland School District 1J

How many students attend Emerson School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 130 students attended Emerson School.

Is Emerson School a good school?

Yes! Emerson School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 21^st of 709 Oregon elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Emerson School?

Students at Emerson School are 65% White, 16% Two or more races, 15% Hispanic, 3% African American.

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Latest Oregon data All new data »

2015–16 through 2017–18 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2014–15 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 OSAS test scoresSep 25, 2026

2023–24 through 2024–25 school spending dataAug 24, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Oregon Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.