The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ventura Park Elementary School
Ventura Park Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in Portland, part of the David Douglas School District. It sits in a residential area of east Portland, a city known for its walkable downtown grid, extensive public transit, and a mix of dense neighborhoods and commercial corridors. The school’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with a student body that is notably diverse. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic reality of the surrounding community. The racial and ethnic composition includes a white plurality, alongside significant Hispanic, Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial populations. This diversity shapes the everyday peer environment.
State assessment results from the 2024-2025 school year give a picture of academic performance across tested grades. In mathematics, proficiency rates varied by grade, with the lowest in fifth grade and rates in the mid-to-upper twenties in third and fourth grades. In English language arts, proficiency rates were roughly in the high twenties to mid-thirties, with fourth graders posting the highest rate among the tested grades. Science, assessed only in fifth grade, showed a lower proficiency rate. Because only one year of data is available, no trend can be observed. When placed alongside other elementary schools within Multnomah County districts, Ventura Park Elementary’s combined proficiency across subjects sits slightly above the midpoint of the range. A parent may want to ask the school about the specific supports in place for students below the proficiency mark, particularly in math and science, where the rates are lower.
The David Douglas School District, which operates Ventura Park, has implemented a district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. This framework coordinates academic interventions, behavioral supports, and social-emotional learning across three tiers, from universal supports for all students to intensive supports for those who need them. For families at Ventura Park, this means a structured system for identifying and addressing student needs early. Additionally, the district has made the David Douglas Online Academy a permanent K-12 option, offering a fully online learning pathway for families who prefer that model. Both of these are lasting options that affect how students receive instruction and support.
The housing market around the school reflects broader Portland trends. Home values in the zip code area have seen a modest year-over-year decline, while rents have also edged down slightly. Relative to national benchmarks, Portland-area home values remain above the national figure, and the local rent-to-income ratio suggests that renting is more affordable than buying at current mortgage rates. The city has experienced some population decline since 2020, but the metro area continues to grow, with ongoing transit-oriented development and rising cost-of-living pressures. For a family considering this school, the east Portland location offers access to the city’s transit network and a mix of older and newer housing stock.
Ventura Park Elementary is a school with a diverse, economically varied student body and a district-level commitment to tiered support. Its academic proficiency, while below state averages, is in line with the middle of the range among area districts. Parents seeking an inclusive elementary school with an active MTSS framework and a nearby online learning alternative from the district may find it a reasonable fit. Those with specific concerns about academic attainment in math or science should explore how the school’s interventions connect to the district’s broader support system.
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