Welcome to Portland Public Schools

  • Mission Statement

    We provide rigorous, high quality academic learning experiences that are inclusive and joyful. We disrupt racial inequities to create vibrant environments for every student to demonstrate excellence. (July 2021)

    Portland Public Schools, founded in 1851, is a PK-12 urban school district in Portland, Oregon. With more than 49,000 students in 81 schools, it is one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest.

    With highly trained teachers and staff; an engaged parent community; strong partnerships, and a focus on closing the racial educational achievement gap, PPS has seen significant gains in its graduation rate and has enjoyed steady enrollment growth. Thanks to the state Legislature, school funding is improving and thanks to Portland voters, a PPS School Building Improvement Bond is now fueling the modernization of our aging school buildings for 21st century learning.

    • Career Learning: PPS has more than doubled Career Technical Education offerings in recent years, which show a direct link to its rising graduation rate. Learn more at our CTE/Career Pathways webpage.
    • Language Immersion: The district's growing Dual Language Immersion program is closing the racial educational achievement gap and improving reading achievement in native and non-native speakers alike, according to a 2015 national study. One in 10 PPS students is in an immersion program. Learn more on the DLI webpage.
    • Early Childhood Education: Within PPS, we currently offer preschool and prekindergarten classes to almost 1,000 3- and 4-year-old students. Some of these classrooms are grouped into early childhood centers, while others are situated within PK-5 or PK-8 buildings. To learn more about our early childhood programs and how to apply, please visit our Kindergarten & Early Learning webpage.
    • The Arts: The Portland Arts Tax now guarantees arts education for all elementary students and is fueling the alignment of K through 12 programs in such disciplines as orchestra and dance. Learn more on the PPS Arts website.
    • Athletics: The Portland Interscholastic League has expanded into the middle grades with its Youth Sports Program, building strong athletic programs from 6th through 12th grade. Learn more on the PIL website.

    Location:
    Portland Public Schools is headquartered in the Prophet Education Center (PEC), located across from the Moda Center in North Portland.

    Portland Public Schools 
    501 N. Dixon Street 
    Portland, OR 97227 

    Contact central office staff

    Contact: 503-916-2000, email
    Regular Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Facts & Figures 2022-23

Portland Public Schools enrollment and demographic data
Student Enrollment Figures
District Schools 43,023
Community Based Programs 683
Special Services Programs 456
Public Charter Schools 1,294
Total 45,456
Student Information
Hispanic/Latino 17.3%
Black 8.3%
Asian 5.8%
Native American/Alaskan Native 0.5%
Pacific Islander 0.8%
White 55.2%
Multi-Racial - Asian/White 5.4%
Multi-Racial - Other Ancestries 6.7%
Receive English as a Second Language Services 9.0%
Eligible for free meals via Direct Certification 22.6%
Receive Special Education Services 15.6%
Schools
Elementary 45
K-8 11
Middle Schools 14
High Schools 10
K-12 1
Total 81*
*PPS students also attend the Head Start Early Childhood Education program, 6 community-based programs, 5 charter schools, 3 alternative programs, and 7 special services programs
Employees Numbers
ATU (Classified) 89
DCU (Classified) 89
Licensed School Based Administrators 195
Licensed Non-School Based Administrators 52
Non-Represented 473
PAT 3,825
PFSP (Classified) 1,342
SEIU (Classified) 490
Senior Leadership 46
Substitutes (Administrators, Paraeducators, Secretaries, Educators) 977
Other (Hourly & Limited Terms) 1,122
Total 8,722