Photo: PortlandSaint · CC BY 4.0Milwaukie’s public schools outscore 72% of Oregon districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Milwaukie, 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 87% 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.
Milwaukie’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 45% and math 32% in spring 2022, against 44% and 31% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,887 per student, against $17,749 across Oregon (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Rowe Middle School, then Milwaukie High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cascade Heights Public Charter School, Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, Portland Waldorf School (private) and St. John the Baptist Catholic School (private) are 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.
What’s behind Milwaukie’s grade
B+: better than 72% of Oregon school districts, #49 of 142 Oregon towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Oregon average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Milwaukie, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Milwaukie
Rowe Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 747 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Milwaukie
Rowe Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 747 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Milwaukie
Rowe Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 747 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Milwaukie
Milwaukie High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Milwaukie
Milwaukie High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Milwaukie
Milwaukie High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Milwaukie
Milwaukie High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Milwaukie’s public schools are run by North Clackamas School District 12, which also serves Happy Valley and Johnson City. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Milwaukie vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Oregon towns that share Milwaukie’s borders.
Every school in Milwaukie
11 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).
Questions about Milwaukie’s schools
Are Milwaukie’s schools good?
By Oregon’s own tests, yes: the public schools Milwaukie children attend outscore 72% of Oregon’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #49 of 142 Oregon towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Milwaukie in?
North Clackamas School District 12, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 16,837 students in 31 schools (2024–25).
Where do Milwaukie kids go to high school?
Milwaukie High School, with 874 students.
What is Milwaukie’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in North Clackamas School District 12 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon.
How much does Milwaukie spend per student?
$15,887 in North Clackamas School District 12 (FY2024), against $17,749 across Oregon. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Milwaukie?
Yes: Portland Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 318 students) and St. John the Baptist Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 169 students). Milwaukie also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Milwaukie families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Milwaukie → 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.