Mt Tabor Middle School

Tucked into the leafy, walkable Mt. Tabor neighborhood in Southeast Portland — named after the beloved extinct volcano-turned-park right in its backyard — this middle school consistently ranks among the very best in Oregon, with math and English scores that put it in a league of its own. Families drawn to Portland's progressive, outdoorsy culture will feel right at home here, and the surrounding area offers tree-lined streets, independent coffee shops, and easy access to the park itself for after-school adventures. It's the kind of school that appeals to academically motivated families who also want their kids growing up in a genuine, tight-knit Portland neighborhood rather than a cookie-cutter suburb.