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PortlandMIHDAPhoto: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0
B
Schools in Portland · Portland Public School District

Portland’s public schools outscore 62% of Michigan districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Portland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#381of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
50%
▲ 5 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 1 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 2–2 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.6K
▼ 18% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.9
MI 16.5
Schools in town
5
1,979 students on the public path
In brief

Portland’s schools, in brief

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 50% and math 33% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,583 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Westwood Elementary School, then Portland Middle School, then Portland High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Patrick School PK-8 (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Portland’s grade

B+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 62% of Michigan school districts, #381 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 62%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1220)Better than 61%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 962 test results and a graduating class of 156 could put Portland anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Portland’s students in the tested grades sat them (963 in math, 962 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Portland, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–2Oakwood Elementary SchoolPortland Public School DistrictNo scores
3–5Westwood Elementary SchoolPortland Public School DistrictB
6–8Portland Middle SchoolPortland Public School DistrictC+
9–12Portland High SchoolPortland Public School DistrictB+

Portland’s public schools are run by Portland Public School District, which also serves Danby, Eagle, Eagle and Orange and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Portland Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,979 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 16.9 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$13,583MI $16,528 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading50%
State average 45.4% · 962 students tested
Math33%
State average 33.6% · 963 students tested

Portland vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Portland’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PortlandBPortland Public
Portland Township—Portland Public
DanbyBPortland Public

All 2 neighbors share Portland Public with Portland, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Portland

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Portlandby address
Oakwood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
473 students14:1Rate it →
Westwood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
B
423 students17:1Rate it →
Portland Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
418 students18:1Rate it →
Portland High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
665 students19:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Patrick School PK-8
Grades K–12
Private · Catholic
319 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Portland’s schools

Are Portland’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Michigan: the public schools Portland children attend outscore 62% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #381 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Portland in?

Portland Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,979 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Portland kids go to high school?

Portland High School, with 665 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Portland’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Portland Public School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Portland spend per student?

$13,583 in Portland Public School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Portland?

Yes: St. Patrick School PK-8 (Catholic, grades K–12, 319 students).

Parents talk

What Portland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portland → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.