Best High Schools in Multnomah County, Oregon

Part of our Best Schools in Multnomah County guide.

Introduction

Multnomah County is home to one of the most diverse and dynamic public school landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. From the tree-lined neighborhoods of Southwest Portland to the growing communities of Gresham, families here have access to a wide range of high schools — each with its own personality, focus, and strengths. Whether you're drawn to rigorous academics, career and technical programs, or a tight-knit school community, there's a lot to consider when choosing the right fit for your teenager.

This guide highlights the top-ranked high schools in Multnomah County based on student performance data, so you can start your search with confidence. Rankings are a starting point, not the whole story — but knowing where schools stand academically can help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision for your family.

1. Riverdale High School — Riverdale SD 51J, Portland

Riverdale High School sits at the top of our rankings for Multnomah County — and it's not hard to see why. Scoring at the 99th percentile in both English and Math, it consistently outperforms nearly every other school in the state. Riverdale is a small, close-knit school nestled in the Dunthorpe neighborhood along the west bank of the Willamette River, serving one of Portland's most affluent communities. Families who value a rigorous, college-preparatory environment in a quieter, suburban-feeling setting tend to gravitate here — and the school's size means students often get more individual attention than they would at a larger comprehensive high school.

2. Grant High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Grant High School is one of Portland's most beloved public high schools, and its 97th percentile overall ranking reflects a tradition of strong academic achievement paired with a vibrant school culture. Located in the Grant Park neighborhood in Northeast Portland, Grant draws from a community that's deeply invested in public education. It's a larger school with a wide range of programs, clubs, and extracurriculars, making it a great fit for students who thrive in an energetic, diverse environment. The surrounding neighborhood — full of craftsman homes, coffee shops, and proximity to Grant Park itself — gives the school a distinctly Portland feel.

3. Cleveland High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Cleveland High School ranks at the 96th percentile overall, with particularly strong Math scores at the 96th percentile. Situated in the Woodstock neighborhood of Southeast Portland, Cleveland has long been known for its academic rigor and dedicated teaching staff. SE Portland is one of the city's most walkable and community-oriented areas, and that neighborhood energy carries into the school itself. Families looking for a high-performing school within Portland's public system — without leaving the city — often find Cleveland to be a top contender.

4. Lincoln High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Lincoln High School, located in Portland's upscale West Hills area near downtown, ranks at the 95th percentile overall and scores especially well in English at the 96th percentile. Lincoln moved into a stunning new building in 2021, giving students a modern, state-of-the-art learning environment that matches its academic reputation. It's long been considered one of Portland's premier public high schools, attracting academically motivated students from across the city. Families drawn to Portland's urban core — with easy access to the Pearl District, NW 23rd, and Washington Park — will find Lincoln a natural fit.

5. Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Formerly known as Wilson High School, Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School has undergone a meaningful transformation in recent years — and its 80th percentile overall ranking reflects a school that's performing well above the national average. Located in Southwest Portland's Hillsdale neighborhood, the school serves a mix of families from the surrounding hillside communities. It's a comprehensive high school with a broad range of programs and a growing academic profile. Families in SW Portland who want a strong neighborhood school with an upward trajectory will want to keep a close eye on what's happening here.

Score Trends — Top 5

Riverdale High School remains a standout performer with consistent English scores holding steady at 84, though parents should note a concerning dip in Math from 62 to 59. Grant High School shows a mixed picture: English scores dropped noticeably from 76 to 71, but Math improved significantly with a jump from 40 to 47—suggesting the school's intervention efforts in mathematics are paying off. Cleveland High School gained 2 points in English (65 to 67) but lost ground in Math (47 to 42), indicating uneven progress across subjects. Lincoln High School delivered positive momentum in both areas, with English rising from 65 to 70 and Math climbing from 38 to 40. Overall, the top five schools show that math remains more volatile than English, with only Lincoln showing solid gains in both subjects.

6. Benson Polytechnic High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Benson Polytechnic High School is one of a kind — a career and technical education school that also holds its own academically, ranking at the 66th percentile overall. Located in Northeast Portland near Lloyd District, Benson has been training skilled graduates in fields like engineering, technology, and the trades for over a century. It draws students from across the city who are looking for something different from a traditional high school experience. If your student is curious, hands-on, and already thinking about a career path, Benson's specialized programs and unique culture make it well worth exploring.

7. Leodis V. McDaniel High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Leodis V. McDaniel High School — previously known as Marshall High School, then Madison High School — serves the Northeast Portland community and ranks at the 66th percentile overall, with a notably strong Math score at the 75th percentile. The school has seen significant investment over the years and serves a diverse, working-class neighborhood that's central to Portland's identity. McDaniel tends to appeal to families looking for a neighborhood-rooted public school with genuine community ties and a student body that reflects the real diversity of the city.

8. Franklin High School — Portland SD 1J, Portland

Franklin High School is a Southeast Portland institution with deep roots in its community, ranking at the 64th percentile overall. The school underwent a major rebuild and reopened in 2020 with a brand-new facility, bringing state-of-the-art classrooms and spaces to a neighborhood that's seen a lot of change. Franklin's English scores sit at the 72nd percentile, reflecting solid literacy outcomes. For families in the Foster-Powell, Woodstock, or Mt. Scott neighborhoods, Franklin is the local high school — and one that's working to match its impressive new building with equally impressive academic results.

9. Springwater Trail High School — Gresham-Barlow SD 10J, Gresham

Springwater Trail High School is an alternative high school in Gresham that offers a more flexible, student-centered learning environment than a traditional comprehensive school. It ranks at the 61st percentile overall, with a strong English score at the 83rd percentile. Gresham sits at the eastern edge of Multnomah County and has a more suburban, affordable feel compared to inner Portland — making it an appealing option for families priced out of closer-in neighborhoods. Springwater Trail tends to attract students who benefit from smaller class sizes, more individualized support, and a non-traditional school structure.

10. David Douglas High School — David Douglas SD 40, Portland

David Douglas High School is a large comprehensive high school serving the outer East Portland community, ranking at the 44th percentile overall. With an enrollment of over 2,500 students, it's one of the biggest high schools in Oregon, and it serves one of the most economically and culturally diverse student populations in the region. David Douglas is a school where the community is the story — a place that works hard to support students who come from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. For families in the 122nd Avenue corridor and surrounding neighborhoods, David Douglas is the local high school and an important anchor in a part of Portland that often gets overlooked.

Score Trends — #6-10

The real story of improvement lies in schools 6-10, where some of the district's lowest-performing schools are making remarkable strides. Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School led the way with a dramatic 18-point jump in English (37 to 55) and an 8-point gain in Math (22 to 30), signaling a major turnaround. Benson Polytechnic also impressed with English up 4 points (39 to 43) and Math climbing 9 points (16 to 25), suggesting targeted support is working. However, not all schools in this group are on an upward trajectory: Leodis V. McDaniel saw English drop from 43 to 38, Franklin's Math fell from 22 to 17, and Springwater Trail's Math sank from 13 to 10. David Douglas showed a split result with Math improving (14 to 18) while English declined (39 to 36). These trends highlight that while some struggling schools are finally breaking through, others still need additional intervention and resources.

How We Rank Schools

Our rankings are based on publicly available student performance data across three subjects: English, Math, and Science. We weight English and Math equally at 40% each, with Science making up the remaining 20%. To reflect a school's current performance more accurately, we weight recent years more heavily than older data. Percentile scores tell you how a school compares to all other schools statewide — a school at the 90th percentile outperforms 90% of schools in Oregon.

Compare Schools Yourself

Numbers only tell part of the story. If you want to dig deeper and compare specific schools side by side — whether it's two schools in the same neighborhood or schools across different districts — use our school comparison tool at /compare. It's free, fast, and designed to help parents make sense of the data on their own terms.

Top 20 Rankings

Rank	School	District	City	English	Math	Overall
1	Riverdale High School	Riverdale SD 51J	Portland	99	99	99
2	Grant High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	97	96	97
3	Cleveland High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	94	96	96
4	Lincoln High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	96	94	95
5	Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	70	83	80
6	Benson Polytechnic High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	56	73	66
7	Leodis V. McDaniel High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	51	75	66
8	Franklin High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	72	54	64
9	Springwater Trail High School	Gresham-Barlow SD 10J	Gresham	83	42	61
10	David Douglas High School	David Douglas SD 40	Portland	44	47	44
11	Metro East Web Academy	Gresham-Barlow SD 10J	Gresham	46	39	38
12	Sam Barlow High School	Gresham-Barlow SD 10J	Gresham	38	38	34
13	Centennial High School	Centennial SD 28J	Gresham	33	29	28
14	Reynolds High School	Reynolds SD 7	Troutdale	44	8	22
15	Jefferson High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	11	34	17
16	Roosevelt High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	23	12	14
17	Gresham High School	Gresham-Barlow SD 10J	Gresham	16	4	5
18	Parkrose High School	Parkrose SD 3	Portland	12	0	3
19	Alliance High School	Portland SD 1J	Portland	0	0	0
20	Reynolds Learning Academy	Reynolds SD 7	Fairview	7	0	0

Related Guides

• Best Schools in Multnomah County, Oregon
• Best Middle Schools in Multnomah County, Oregon