The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ron Russell Middle School
Ron Russell Middle School, a regular public school in Portland serving grades six through eight, is part of the David Douglas School District. The school draws from a student body that is quite diverse in its racial and ethnic composition, with the largest groups being Hispanic students, followed by White, Asian, and Black students, along with smaller shares of students who are of two or more races, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which gives a sense of the economic background of the families the school serves.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-2025 school year, Ron Russell’s students showed proficiency rates that are below the midpoint when compared across districts in Multnomah County. In English language arts, across grades six through eight, about three in ten students met the proficiency standard. In math, the rate was lower, at roughly one in five students. For eighth-grade science, the proficiency rate was lower still, at about one in eight students. These results point to an academic pathway where a majority of students are not yet meeting state benchmarks. The school's overall proficiency index, which combines all tested subjects and grades, sits below the median among the county’s districts. Because this is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to report; that metric applies only to high schools.
The David Douglas School District, which operates Ron Russell, has implemented a district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework that began in the 2021-2022 school year. This framework coordinates academic interventions, behavioral supports, and social-emotional learning across all schools, so students at Ron Russell receive both universal and targeted support depending on their needs. The district also made its fully online learning program, the David Douglas Online Academy, a permanent option for families after its launch during the pandemic. For parents of middle schoolers, this provides a separate choice if the in-person setting at Ron Russell is not a fit.
Portland, where the school is located, is Oregon’s largest city and a major Pacific Northwest metropolitan center. The city sits on the Willamette River and has a dense downtown core with a walkable grid, extensive public transit including light rail and streetcars, and a nationally recognized bike network. Major employers include healthcare systems like OHSU, athletic and outdoor brands such as Nike and Columbia Sportswear, and the technology sector anchored by Intel in the broader metro area. Civic anchors include Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the country, Washington Park with its zoo and gardens, and Pioneer Courthouse Square as a central gathering space. Since the 2000s, Portland has seen population growth in its metro area, though the city itself experienced a slight decline after the 2020 census. Housing costs have risen considerably, with gentrification pressures affecting many neighborhoods, and publicly reported cost-of-living increases have been a concern for residents. Housing values in the area around the school are high relative to national benchmarks, and rents reflect a tight market.
For a family considering Ron Russell Middle School, the picture is one of a diverse, economically mixed student body within a large urban district that has put in place a structured support system. The state testing results indicate that the school’s academic performance, in terms of meeting proficiency benchmarks, is modest compared to other schools in Multnomah County. Parents may want to explore further with the school how the MTSS framework translates into classroom instruction and what additional academic supports are available, particularly in math and science, where proficiency rates are lower. The district’s permanent online program is an alternative worth noting for families who prefer a fully remote option.
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