Families with children who are looking to buy or rent a home in Portland often get overwhelmed by all the options the city has to offer. It’s one thing to worry about the finances and the interior and exterior design of your home, but you also have to think about if the neighborhood you are moving into is safe, provides easy access to basic amenities, and has quality schools nearby for you children.
So if you are finally ready to find a home in this beautiful city, you’ve made the right choice as Portland has many benefits to offer – both in the long and short term. However, given how big the Portland Metro area is, employing a little outside help to figure out which neighborhood is best for you and your family is a great idea.
With the help of data from niche.com, we put together this list of neighborhoods with access to the best schools around. Not every school is located in the neighborhood, but the culmination of schools that serve each neighborhood creates its overall score. Let’s dive right in!
Sabin
With a population of 5,075, Sabin is considered one of the best neighborhoods to live in Oregon. Located in northeast Portland, it is bordered by Vernon, Concordia, Irvington, and Alameda. Although Sabin has a smaller area compared to other neighborhoods in the city, it packs a lot of personality and vigor. Being located in the heart of the city, it is an ideal choice for people of all ages, including families with children.
Nearby, you have Grant High and Benson Polytechnic High School which are a mere 10-minute drive away from Sabin. Families with younger children will be happy to know that there are more elementary schools that they can count on one hand in the area – all of which are best rated by parents and teachers.
For instance, there is Emerson School, Le Monde French Immersion Public School, Winterhaven Elementary, and Richmond Elementary – all of which offer quality education and guidance. For middle schoolers, you have Da Vinci Middle School, which offers a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 – which is quite good considering it’s close to the national ratio.
Grant Park
If you are looking to raise your kids in a safe, culturally diverse, and progressive community, look no further than Grant Park. Placing a pressing role in many children’s books by Beverly Cleary, Grant Park has a lot of historical significance as it is home to Mark Cotton Field – a park named after Ulysses S. Grant.
Besides harboring a myriad of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and public parks, Grant Park is also encompassed by some of the best school districts in Oregon. For starters, high schoolers have many options to choose from, including Grant High School which is one of the 10 best public schools in Oregon. Middle schoolers can either go with Odyssey Middle School or Beaumont Middle School if they want to keep their travel distance short.
When it comes to elementary schools, Portland has never had a shortage of those. Most neighborhoods including Grant Park have many choices to offer to parents whose children are just starting school. Nearby, you have Beverly Cleary School, Winterhaven Elementary, Alameda Elementary, The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, and Rose City Park Elementary – all of which have programs for kids of various age groups.
Irvington
With a population of 6,897, Irvington is a suburban residential neighborhood that has a lot to offer to families with children. The public schools in Irvington are some of the most highly rated in the state of Oregon. Located in the northeast section of Portland, this neighborhood is well known for its stately homes. Many young professionals and families with children who are attracted to Irvington’s modest and urban vibe end up finding a permanent home.
Catlin Gabel School – deemed the 81st best private high school in the US, is roughly a 15-minute drive from Irvington. Living in this neighborhood also places you very close to other schools like Jesuit High, Northwest Academy, St. Mary’s Academy, and Cleveland High School – all of which are recognized for their quality of education and teachers.
Middle schoolers have two options: Beaumont and Hosford Middle School, both of which are famed for their infrastructure and the quality of programs they offer. When it comes to elementary education, much like other neighborhoods in Portland, Irvington does not fail to impress. Parents with kids in grades K-6 can choose between Creative Science School, Buckman Elementary, Portland Village School, and Irvington Elementary among other options for their children’s educational needs.
Northwest Heights
Many residents will tell you that it is hard to overstate the benefits of living in Northwest Heights, especially if you have children. Considered the second best place to raise a family and the third best place to buy a home in Portland, this neighborhood offers residents a sparse suburban vibe. Located on the west side of Portland, the homeownership rate of Northwest Heights is one of the highest in the country, at 83%.
Nearby, you have the International School of Beaverton, Lincoln High, Sunset High, and Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering – for parents who are looking to give their kids the highest quality of education. Between Cedar Park Middle School, West Sylvan Middle School, and Da Vinci Middle School, parents with children in grades 6-8 have much to rejoice about as these schools are the best rated in the state of Oregon.
Much like other neighborhoods in the city, Northwest Heights is also home to some of the best elementary schools in the city. With schools like Creative Science Elementary, Chapman Elementary, Portland Arthur Academy Charter School, Forest Park Elementary, and Richmond Elementary, parents will never feel pressured when finding a good match for their children’s educational needs.
Arlington Heights
With a population of 1,609, Arlington Heights ranks number 3 when it comes to the best neighborhoods to live in Portland. Offering a suburban residential feel to residents, this neighborhood will place you very close to some of the best-rated schools in the city. The three main schools that serve the neighborhood are Ainsworth Elementary School, West Sylvan Middle School, and Lincoln High School.
Deemed as one of the best schools in Oregon, Lincoln High, has an average graduation rate of 93%. If you are looking at the closest options outside of Arlington Heights, there is Sato Elementary, Emerson School, and Richmond Elementary, all of which are within 20 minutes of driving distance. Middle schoolers also have an option between Emerson School and Harriet Tubman Middle School, as they are both within a reasonable distance from Arlington Heights.
Consider These Neighborhoods With The Best Rated Schools
When looking for a place to raise a family, finding a neighborhood with good schools is just as important as the house itself. Providing your children with quality education will ensure they have the mental and physical skills to tackle their future goals efficiently.