Photo: SkatePark in Main City Park, Gresham, Oregon.jpg · CC BY 4.0Gresham’s public schools score below 85% of Oregon districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 17% of Gresham’s students scored proficient, below the Oregon average (31%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Gresham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Oregon, not nationally.
From Oregon state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% 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.
Gresham’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 199 Oregon towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gresham’s, its schools beat 7%, lower than their 15% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 44% and 31% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Gresham-Barlow School District 1J spends $15,648 per student and Reynolds School District 7 $18,483, against $17,749 across Oregon (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Gresham Arthur Academy, Lewis and Clark Montessori Charter School, Rockwood Preparatory Academy, Portland Adventist Elementary School (private), 8Th Street Academy (private), Harmony Montessori School (private) and Morningstar Montessori House of Children (private) are in town. Metro East Web Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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.
What’s behind Gresham’s grade
C−: better than 15% of Oregon school districts, #131 of 142 Oregon towns. Both inputs trail the Oregon average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gresham, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Gresham · depends on your address
Gresham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,685 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Springwater Trail High School
Grades 9–12 · 184 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gresham · depends on your address
Gresham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,685 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Springwater Trail High School
Grades 9–12 · 184 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gresham · depends on your address
Gresham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,685 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Springwater Trail High School
Grades 9–12 · 184 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gresham · depends on your address
Gresham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,685 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Springwater Trail High School
Grades 9–12 · 184 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Gresham runs its own schools through grade 12 (Gresham-Barlow School District 1J). From grade K, students attend the Reynolds School District 7, shared with Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Village. Parts of Gresham (17% of its land) are served by Centennial School District 28J instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Gresham
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Gresham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Oregon towns that share Gresham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gresham | C− | Gresham-Barlow School District 1J K–12 · Reynolds School District 7 K–12 |
| Portland | A | Portland School District 1J |
| Fairview | D | Reynolds School District 7 |
| Troutdale | D | Reynolds School District 7 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Reynolds School District 7 with Gresham for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Gresham
29 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Oregon’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Center for Advanced Learning).
Questions about Gresham’s schools
Are Gresham’s schools good?
On Oregon’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gresham children attend score below 85% of Oregon’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #131 of 142 Oregon towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 7%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gresham in?
Two districts: Gresham-Barlow School District 1J runs grades K–12, and Reynolds School District 7 runs grades K–12, shared with Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Village.
Where do Gresham kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Gresham High School and Springwater Trail High School.
What is Gresham’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in Gresham-Barlow School District 1J graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon.
How much does Gresham spend per student?
$15,648 in Gresham-Barlow School District 1J and $18,483 in Reynolds School District 7 (FY2024), against $17,749 across Oregon. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gresham?
Yes: Portland Adventist Elementary School (religious, grades PK–8, 310 students), 8Th Street Academy (religious, grades PK–7, 249 students), Harmony Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 70 students) and Morningstar Montessori House of Children (nonsectarian, grades K, 20 students). Gresham also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Gresham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gresham → 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 Oregon. Stars are from neighbors.