The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Alice Ott Middle School
Alice Ott Middle School serves sixth through eighth graders in Portland, within the David Douglas School District. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and sits in the eastern part of the city. The school enrolls a student body that is diverse in its racial and ethnic composition, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that the school community includes many families with lower household incomes.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-2025 school year, the school’s proficiency rates were below the state average across all tested subjects and grade levels. In math, proficiency rates in sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade each fell in a range that most observers would consider low. In English language arts, seventh grade showed a noticeably higher proficiency rate relative to the other grades, while sixth and eighth grade rates were lower. In eighth-grade science, proficiency was also low. Because the data shows only a single year of assessment results, there is no trend to compare; it is not possible to say whether performance is improving or declining.
When measured across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among the districts in Multnomah County. This comparison is relative to other districts in the county, and the index is an average of the proficiency rates across subjects and grades. While this position is better than some other districts in the county, it is important to note the absolute performance levels are modest, and families may want to discuss with the school how it addresses academic support for students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks.
The David Douglas School District, in which Alice Ott Middle School operates, has made a district-wide commitment to a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, a coordinated approach to academic interventions, behavioral supports, and social-emotional learning that was implemented starting in the 2021-2022 school year. The district also offers a permanent fully online learning option through the David Douglas Online Academy, which began during the pandemic and remains available for families who prefer that mode of instruction.
Portland, where the school is located, is the state’s largest city and a major Pacific Northwest urban center. The city has a walkable downtown grid, extensive public transit including light rail and bus networks, and a reputation for bicycle infrastructure. The local economy is anchored by technology, athletic and outdoor brands, healthcare, shipping, and craft industries, with large employers such as Nike and Adidas having headquarters or major offices in or near the city. The city has experienced a slight population decline since the 2020 census, though the broader metro area continues to grow. Housing costs have risen over the long term, and the region employs an urban growth boundary to manage development. Civic assets include extensive parks, a central library system, and cultural institutions distributed throughout the city rather than concentrated on a single campus.
For families considering Alice Ott Middle School, the academic picture is one where proficiency on state tests is below statewide averages, with the exception of seventh-grade English language arts showing a stronger result. The school serves a diverse student population with a high share of students from low-income households, and it operates within a district that has invested in an MTSS framework to provide layered academic and behavioral support. The Portland setting offers an urban environment with varied housing and transportation options, though the cost of living has been rising. Families may want to ask the school directly about how it uses its MTSS approach to raise proficiency rates, what specific interventions are in place for students who are below grade level, and how the school tracks progress over time beyond the single year of data available here.
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