Are you thinking about moving to Portland, Oregon? Portland has some of the best private schools in Oregon. While private schools are not part of a local school district, they provide an excellent education.
Finding the top private schools in Portland, Oregon, for your kids doesn’t have to be impossible, but it will take time and research. Take your time, ask plenty of questions, and write down a list of requirements that the school needs to have before you make a final decision. Some examples could include:
- Clubs
- College readiness measures
- STEM or STEAM programs
- AP participation rate
- Test scores
- Classroom size
- School report card
- Athletics
- After school programs
- Any awards the school has received
- Programs for gifted students
Best Private Schools in Portland
Private schools in Portland are more common than one might think. One thing that sets private schools apart from the public is the quality of education and the preparation that helps your children obtain for college. Here are the top private schools in Portland, OR.
Trinity Academy | A Classical Christian School in Portland
- Grades: 6th-12th
- Address: 7424 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
- Phone: (503) 567-9559
- Enrollment: 104
- Tuition: The tuition for 6th-8th is $8,675, and the tuition for 9th-12th is $11,350. There are additional fees for items like activities, books, and labs. If in need of financial assistance, Trinity Academy does provide this option to families.
As part of North Central Portland, Trinity Academy works hard to provide the best private schools in Portland. Their mission statement is “A culture marked by the discovery of truth, the practice of goodness, the creation of beauty, and the development of intellectual and aesthetic habits of mind,” according to their website. Their standardized test results (SAT) are well above the state and national average, and they help prepare your child for college and life after high school.
The school has the necessary core classes like History and English, but they mix in three pillars: humanities, math & science, and fine arts. Classes you don’t always see in middle school and high school, like Music Theory & Strings, Latin, and Art History, can be taken here
While most students can choose their schedules, everyone has a set schedule. Students will take the same classes so they’re on track for all classes needed for graduation; this also ensures they’ll meet any requirements for college entry.
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St. Mary’s Academy | All Girls Academy In Portland
- Grades: 9th-12th
- Address: 1615 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97201
- Phone: (503) 228-8306
- Enrollment: 610
- Tuition: While technically the tuition is $22,435 per year, the school only charges $17,135 because they provide a subsidy to each of the students from the money they receive through fundraising.
St. Mary’s Academy has been around since 1859 and is an all-girl private school in Portland. Their athletic program is award-winning, they provide a STEM program, the school focuses on leadership, and has an amazing performing and visual arts program. There is truly something for everyone at St. Mary’s Academy, whether you enjoy sports, drama, choir, or building a STEM project.
The sports teams that they offer include cross country, soccer, track & field, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, swimming, golf, and skiing through the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, 88% of the faculty has an advanced degree, and they have a 100% college acceptance rate.
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Children’s Valley Academy | Small Private Primary School In Portland
- Grades: K-5th
- Address: 11100 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR 97220
- Phone: (360) 635-1174
- Tuition: The tuition is $4,950 per year, and is the same for each grade level. There are additional fees for hot lunches, and any extended care.
As an Oregon-licensed private school, Children’s Valley is a Christian and bilingual school in Portland. They use the Abeka Christian curriculum and focus on these classes: Russian, science, art, social studies, math, music, drama, phonics, language arts, and The Bible. This Portland private school institution works hard to set students up for success in primary school so they feel confident as they go to middle school.
Mannahouse Christian Academy | Private Christian School In Portland Oregon
- Grades: PreK-12th
- Address: 9200 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97220
- Phone: (503) 252-5207
- Enrollment: 510
- Tuition: The tuition amount is not advertised online, so you will have to contact the administration office, but they do provide financial aid to those in need.
Part of Northeast Portland, Mannahouse Christian Academy is a Cognia accredited school in Portland and in partnerships with the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and the National Honor Society, the Mannahouse Academy has been providing the best academic opportunities to the Portland community. The school holds its students to a high standard, receives more teacher instruction each year than the state of Oregon (100 more hours), has small class sizes, and focuses on helping its students reach their spiritual, emotional, and academic needs.
Some of their athletic programs include basketball, volleyball, soccer, cheer, golf, track, and cross country. They also provide fun after-school programs like drone club. They do have AP courses. Some of the most popular include: AP Literature, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP World History. And if a student learns better online, Mannahouse Academy offers something called blended learning, where there’s a combination of online and face-to-face learning.
Northwest Academy | Portland Progressive Independent College Preparatory Academy
- Grades: 6th-12th
- Address: 1130 SW Main St, Portland, OR 97205
- Phone: (503) 223-3367
- Enrollment: 239
- Tuition: For middle school (6th-8th), the tuition is $27,410, and for high school (9th-12th), the tuition is $29,230. There are additional fees that need to be taken into account, but about 25% of the student population will receive financial aid.
As an independent school accredited through AdvancED (Cognia) and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), Northwest Academy is one of the best private schools in Portland, Oregon, known for its art programs. The students enjoy retreats, service days, Art week, Friday lunch events, homecoming, costume days, talent shows, and so much more throughout the year!
Some of the most popular art programs here include: dance, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, scriptwriting, digital art, animation, yearbook, creative writing, tai chi, guitar, sound design/recording arts, and so much more.
Additional areas that make Northwest Academy stand out are the small class sizes, ensuring their students give back to the community, the 7:1 student-teacher ratio, 25% of the students will receive financial aid, and 1/3 of the staff being part of the local artist community.
The education at Northwest Academy is one of a kind and takes academics to the level with their curriculum to ensure their students are ready to graduate and receive admissions to college.
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Sunstone Montessori School | AMI & USA Member School
- Grades: Preschool-6th
- Address: 5235 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
- Phone: (503) 768-3847
- Enrollment: 106
- Tuition: For ages 3-6 years old and a full day, the tuition is $14,200 per year. For 1st-6th grade, the tuition is $14,800. There are additional fees like extended care that is not included in the tuition.
The students have the flexibility to work together in a group or individually while trying new things. According to their website, a goal that the school has for its students is “learn to balance freedom and responsibility as they track their work, set goals, follow interests, and engage in explorations both inside and outside the classroom.”
As a certified Oregon Green School, Sunstone Montessori School in Portland teaches its students how to protect the environment and climate for generations to come. While the grades are preschool thru 6th grade, Sunstone Montessori School will add a junior high option to their school within the next year and should be available starting September 2024.
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Portland Jewish Academy | Top-Rated Private School In Portland, Oregon
- Grades: K-8th
- Address: 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
- Phone: (503) 244-0126
- Enrollment: 342
- Tuition: For Kindergarten-5th grade, the tuition is $23,200, and for 6th-8th grade, the tuition is $24,200. You can apply for tuition assistance; it’s given on an as needed basis.
Since 1961, the Portland Jewish Academy in Oregon has provided the best private school education while focusing on Jewish values. The Portland Jewish Academy has six key values that they hold onto while running their private school in Portland. They are the following: Study, Respect, Responsibility, Community, Appreciation, and Identity.
The school is accredited through the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and has a variety of classes that make the curriculum unique. Every student participates in Hebrew, Makerspace, which focuses on STEAM learning, PE, music, art, English, social studies, Jewish studies, math, project-based assignments, and many more academic areas. The Portland Jewish Academy isn’t as focused on athletic programs as other local schools, but they offer basketball (boys) and a cross-country team (co-ed).
While technology is essential in today’s learning space, they want to make sure the students are safe online. The school’s technology program is through the International Society For Technology In Education, which allows the students a safe space to learn while teaching them the importance of online safety.
There are after-school programs that allow your child to stay after school until you get off work. If you work full-time and can’t take time off for the holidays, Portland Jewish Academy provides full-day care on almost every off day (holidays but not weekends).
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Portland Schools FAQ
What are the best Portland private schools?
The best private schools in Portland, OR, include: Trinity Academy, St. Mary’s Academy, Children’s Valley Academy, Mannahouse Christian Academy, Northwest Academy, and the Portland Jewish Academy.
Are Portland private schools good?
Yes, the Portland private schools are good and provide some of the best education possible in the city.
How many private schools in Portland, OR?
There are around 125 private schools in Portland, Oregon.
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