The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in English language arts. The lowest is 48% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Stoller Middle School
Stoller Middle School, a regular public school serving grades six through eight in Portland’s western reaches, sits in the Beaverton School District 48J and draws from the Cedar Mill and Bethany areas. The school’s academic results place it solidly above the midpoint relative to other districts in Washington County, and by one composite measure it sits in the top quartile among the eight county districts for overall proficiency. That strength shows up clearly in English language arts, where across the three grades tested, roughly three out of four students met the state bar in reading and writing, with the seventh-grade cohort performing the strongest. In mathematics the pattern is similar: a clear majority of students were proficient in each grade, with the seventh grade again slightly ahead of the sixth and eighth. Science, tested only in eighth grade, presents a softer picture, with fewer than half of students reaching proficiency. A parent may want to ask the school about science instruction and whether it reflects a curriculum shift or a testing adjustment, since the district brief notes that a new middle school opened a few years ago and feeder patterns were redrawn, a change that can temporarily affect consistency.
The student body is notably large for a middle school and predominantly Asian, with a substantial share of students being Asian, followed by white students and a smaller share of Hispanic students. About one in seven students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a relatively low rate that suggests a generally higher-income attendance area. Counts for students with disabilities and English learners were not included in the available data, so it is unclear how large those populations are or what supports are in place; a parent should ask about special education and English language services directly.
Stoller is located within the Portland city limits but in a part of the metropolitan area that feels suburban. The school sits in a neighborhood of detached homes and newer developments, and housing values in the 97229 zip code are high, well above the state and national medians, with rents also elevated. The area is largely built out, though the broader Portland region has seen a modest population decrease since 2020 while the metro area overall continues to grow. The district’s recent opening of a ninth middle school suggests that enrollment pressures in the larger Beaverton system are being managed through new capacity rather than crowding existing schools.
Portland itself is a major Pacific Northwest city with a diversified economy centered on technology, athletic apparel, healthcare, and shipping, and it is known for its walkable downtown core, extensive transit and bike infrastructure, and a strong culture of urban sustainability. But Stoller is not in the downtown core; it is in a residential area near the boundary with Washington County, closer to the suburban job centers of Beaverton and Hillsboro. Families living in this part of the city have access to Portland’s amenities but also contend with high housing costs and a cost of living that has risen noticeably in recent years.
For a family weighing options, Stoller Middle School offers a large, academically strong environment where the typical student is proficient in math and English, and the peer group is academically oriented with relatively few students facing economic disadvantage. The science scores are a watch point, but the school’s overall track record in the tested subjects is competitive within its county. The school is part of the Beaverton district, which has been actively adjusting its middle-school footprint. A parent considering Stoller will want to verify current program offerings, enrichment opportunities, and the school’s approach to serving the students whose demographic and learning needs are not captured in the publicly reported data.
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