Riverdale High School

Tucked into the leafy, residential pocket of Southwest Portland near the Willamette River, Riverdale High School is one of those rare gems that feels more like a tight-knit community than a typical public school — which makes sense, given its famously small enrollment. Families who land here tend to be deeply invested in education, and the school reflects that, consistently ranking among the very best in Oregon for both English and math. If you're drawn to the quieter, tree-lined side of Portland with easy access to trails, the river, and the city, and you want a small-school experience with serious academic depth, Riverdale is hard to beat.