The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in English language arts. The lowest is 48% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Richmond Elementary School
Richmond Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in southeast Portland, part of the Portland SD 1J district. It serves an urban neighborhood with a small but noticeable share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, well below the typical rate for a city school. The student body is diverse: a large proportion of students identify as white, a similarly large group as two or more races, and there are smaller shares of Asian, Hispanic, and Black students. Enrollment is stable across the elementary grades.
On state assessments from a recent school year, Richmond's students posted strong results in English language arts and math in third and fourth grade, with the large majority meeting proficiency. Fifth-grade results were notably lower in math and science, and ELA proficiency also dipped somewhat compared to the earlier grades. Overall across the tested grades and subjects, the school's combined proficiency index places it among the top quartile of schools relative to districts in Multnomah County. This is a school that performs well in the early elementary years but shows a soft spot in fifth grade that a parent may want to look into further with the school. State testing data was available for only one year, so trends over time are not observable.
The school sits within the Portland Public Schools district, which has undergone major changes recently. Publicly reported, the district placed a large capital construction bond on the ballot in late 2024 to fund facility improvements, seismic retrofits, and safety upgrades across the system. At the same time, the district has experienced a notable enrollment decline from its pre-pandemic peak, prompting a Long-Range Facility Plan that proposed closing or merging multiple schools. These decisions affect school assignment patterns and neighborhood school availability for families within the district.
Richmond is located in Portland, Oregon's largest city and a major Pacific Northwest metropolitan center. The city is known for its walkable downtown grid, extensive public transit including light rail and streetcars, and a nationally recognized bike network. The economy is driven by technology, athletic and outdoor brands, shipping, healthcare, and craft industries. Housing values in the Richmond area are well above the national median, reflecting the city's high cost of living. Rents are similarly elevated. The city has seen rising housing costs and gentrification pressures since the 1990s, and its population has declined slightly since 2020 while the broader metro area continues to grow. Portland manages growth through an urban growth boundary that directs development inward. Major recent developments include the transformation of the Pearl District and South Waterfront.
Richmond Elementary School is a neighborhood school that delivers solid academic outcomes in the primary grades, with a more uneven picture by fifth grade. It draws from a diverse, relatively low-poverty population in a high-cost urban setting. The parent district is navigating enrollment decline and facility consolidation, which may affect future boundaries or school options. Families considering this school should factor in the broader district context and the fifth-grade performance dip when evaluating the fit for their child.
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