Powell Butte Elementary School

Summary:

Powell Butte Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 385 students in grades K-5 in the Centennial School District in Portland, Oregon. The school is located in a relatively low-income area, with 69.61% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Despite its proximity to several higher-performing elementary schools within the Centennial School District, such as Butler Creek Elementary and Meadows Elementary, Powell Butte Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Oregon elementary schools over the past decade. The school's academic performance is significantly lower than the district and state averages, with only 9.9% of 3rd graders, 19.7% of 4th graders, and 24.6% of 5th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to district averages of 25.4%, 29.9%, and 39.9%, respectively. The school's math proficiency rates are also significantly lower than the district and state.

The challenges faced by Powell Butte Elementary appear to be systemic within the Centennial School District, which is ranked 123 out of 140 districts in Oregon and is rated 1 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger. The school's poor performance for student subgroups, such as English Language Learners and students with special needs, as well as the high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, suggest that there may be equity issues that need to be addressed. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive, equity-focused approach to improve educational outcomes for all students at Powell Butte Elementary.


Detail:

Public K-5

 3615 SE 174th St
       Portland, OR  97236-1252


(503) 762-3204

District: Centennial School District 28J

SchoolDigger Rank:
695th of 710 Oregon Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,686 Help


Students who attend Powell Butte Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Centennial Middle School
High:    Centennial High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.7 Help
Number of students:  385

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
31.4%
White:
27.3%
Asian:
15.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  69.6% Help


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 Compare Powell Butte Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Powell Butte Elementary School ranks worse than 97.9% of elementary schools in Oregon. It also ranks last among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Centennial School District 28J. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.23. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Powell Butte Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (31.4%), White (27.3%), Asian (15.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 69.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Powell Butte Elementary School is 16.7, which is the lowest among 6 elementary schools in the Centennial School District 28J! (See more...)
Help
Compare Powell Butte Elementary School employs 22.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Powell Butte Elementary School is $17,686, which is the 2nd highest among 6 elementary schools in the Centennial School District 28J.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Powell Butte Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Powell Butte Elementary School 695th of 710 Oregon public elementary schools. (See Powell Butte Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Centennial School District 28J:

SchoolDigger ranks Centennial School District 28J 123rd of 140 Oregon school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Powell Butte Elementary School?

Rank History for Powell Butte Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 19.57 520th 586 11.3%
2005 10.16 602nd 629 4.3%
2006 24.37 549th 636 13.7%
2007 18.22 593rd 652 9.0%
2008 25.25 553rd 655 15.6%
2009 15.08 613th 665 7.8%
2010 7.47 656th 674 2.7%
2011 8.29 677th 695 2.6%
2012 12.86 686th 730 6.0%
2013 10.41 674th 707 4.7%
2014 8.10 667th 695 4.0%
2015 8.98 682nd 706 3.4%
2016 14.80 637th 697 8.6%
2017 28.01 531st 701 24.3%
2018 19.64 612th 709 13.7%
2019 24.97 559th 705 20.7%
2022 11.53 668th 706 5.4%
2023 7.35 690th 706 2.3%
2024 8.23 695th 710 2.1%
See the entire list of Oregon Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.33 42nd 179 76.5%
2019 65.84 14th 97 85.6%
2022 30.61 63rd 80 21.3%
2024 27.83 86th 97 11.3%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.97 372nd 481 22.7%
2019 27.02 242nd 303 20.1%
2023 15.99 228th 231 1.3%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.84 488th 640 23.8%
2019 44.96 327th 597 45.2%
2022 11.49 666th 703 5.3%
2023 10.26 578th 595 2.9%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.87 621st 681 8.8%
2019 17.01 549th 621 11.6%
2022 8.22 635th 646 1.7%
2023 7.48 644th 652 1.2%
2024 15.02 596th 658 9.4%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.40 513th 680 24.6%
2019 28.51 470th 623 24.6%
2022 16.82 583rd 654 10.9%
2023 8.39 651st 665 2.1%
2024 5.70 662nd 662 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.98 74th 86 14.0%
2019 28.65 37th 48 22.9%
2022 6.37 38th 39 2.6%
2023 2.66 39th 39 0.0%
2024 2.35 41st 41 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.05 9th 39 76.9%
2019 49.37 9th 22 59.1%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.16 352nd 475 25.9%
2019 36.75 244th 364 33.0%
2022 19.52 318th 339 6.2%
2023 34.28 246th 360 31.7%
2024 30.49 277th 365 24.1%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Powell Butte Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.58 577th 683 15.5%
2019 29.99 494th 662 25.4%
2022 22.63 553rd 666 17.0%
2023 9.40 640th 656 2.4%
2024 4.65 668th 670 0.3%
See the entire list of Best Oregon Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Oregon Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Powell Butte Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Oregon Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
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Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Open Quote This school is rated as one of the worst in Portland, deservedly. My son was in attendance there in the second grade when a teacher (Mrs. Gerber) decided he had ADD and threatened us several times with "administrative action" if we didn't comply with a doctors diagnosis. His problem was that he wouldn't pay attention to her while she taught the entire class the same information he learned in a prior grade. Instead, she insisted that he had a learning disorder, which she has also done to several other students. It can cause irreparable harm to a child to have them believe that they have a learning disability when they're, in fact, perfectly normal or advanced learners. Perhaps the teachers there ought to learn a new way to teach which challenges the children instead of blaming them for not being complacent and submissive. I understand that the school scored so poorly in all of their recent tests that they had to offer the parents the option to send their children to a new school. By the way, after removing my son from their disgraceful system, we decided to home-school him. We were required to have him take the same state standard assessment tests in 3rd grade that all public schools are required to administer, and he tested above his grade level in EVERY subject, including a 9th grade reading level.

Mrs. Gerber, you may be educated enough to regurgitate information out of a teachers manual, but you are a danger to society and their children. You seem to be only interested in popping out cookie cutter "McJob" employees who will only go as far in life as their bosses allow them, by the way you treat to your students. Students should be acknowledged for their competence and encouraged abilities, not reprimanded just because they're under-stimulated by you. You should, instead, blame yourself for potentially destroying the capacities of such advanced students for your own personal in-class benefit. You are a failure and a disgrace, and you fully represent the school in which you teach. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, September 17, 2010

Open Quote I love Mrs. Deal, she has really helped my son to feel comfortable in his classroom, that was one of my biggest worries. Lerena Close Quote



Enrollment information for Powell Butte Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 438 9 17 2 5 n/a n/a 0 471
1989 470 6 17 11 11 n/a n/a 0 515
1990 469 9 16 6 12 n/a n/a 0 512
1991 460 4 14 13 4 n/a n/a 0 495
1992 503 12 20 12 4 n/a n/a 0 551
1993 539 12 31 10 8 n/a n/a 0 600
1994 441 16 17 21 5 n/a n/a 0 500
1995 452 13 35 16 2 n/a n/a 0 518
1996 452 13 35 16 2 n/a n/a 0 518
1997 485 14 35 26 14 n/a n/a 0 574
1998 477 12 39 25 5 n/a n/a 0 558
1999 463 22 45 32 8 n/a n/a 0 570
2000 453 33 42 40 14 n/a n/a 0 582
2001 450 21 44 45 6 n/a n/a 0 566
2002 435 17 50 63 4 n/a n/a 0 569
2003 435 17 50 63 4 n/a n/a 0 569
2004 323 22 24 73 2 n/a n/a 3 447
2005 309 25 22 81 7 n/a n/a 4 448
2006 278 30 39 98 13 n/a n/a 0 458
2007 360 38 47 121 18 n/a n/a 13 597
2008 333 34 42 114 21 n/a n/a 14 558
2009 305 39 43 115 15 n/a n/a 17 534
2010 285 48 49 145 16 n/a n/a 29 572
2011 238 40 58 147 11 6 31 0 531
2012 212 36 55 120 5 4 29 0 461
2013 220 39 50 127 3 1 37 0 477
2014 231 52 57 144 5 3 27 0 519
2015 223 56 57 136 4 11 32 0 519
2016 217 39 75 137 5 9 33 0 515
2017 196 41 85 148 4 7 24 0 505
2018 175 57 91 170 4 11 32 0 540
2019 178 56 100 170 4 15 33 0 556
2020 181 55 98 160 5 14 25 0 538
2021 145 56 95 142 9 17 29 0 493
2022 148 46 80 132 5 15 40 1 467
2023 105 43 61 121 4 12 38 1 385

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Powell Butte Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 471 23.7 19.8 25.3
1989 515 25.1 20.5 28.3
1990 512 22.7 22.5 27.3
1991 495 25.1 19.7 18.4
1992 551 22.0 25.0 18.5
1993 600 27.7 21.7 24
1994 500 23.2 21.6 22.6
1995 518 26.0 19.9 27.2
1996 518 26.0 19.9 27.2
1997 574 21.1 27.2 25.8
1998 558 26.7 20.9 24.9
1999 570 21.7 26.3 18.6
2000 582 26.8 21.7 36.1
2001 566 26.5 21.4 31.4
2002 569 28.2 20.2 49
2003 569 28.2 20.2 49
2004 447 22.5 19.9 54.3
2005 448 23.5 19.1 64.4
2006 458 24.0 19.1 60.9
2007 597 31.5 19.0 57.9
2008 558 30.5 18.3 66.4
2009 534 28.1 18.9 69.1
2010 572 24.9 22.9 79.2
2011 531 24.1 21.9 78.2
2012 461 23.9 19.2 86.6
2013 477 23.0 20.7 90.8
2014 519 24.0 21.5 81.7
2015 519 26.0 19.9 81.7
2016 515 26.0 19.8 81.7
2017 505 25.5 19.8 81.6
2018 540 28.5 18.9 85.6
2019 556 25.9 21.4 85.6
2020 538 27.0 19.9 85.5
2021 493 23.6 20.8 n/a
2022 467 26.9 17.3 n/a
2023 385 22.9 16.7 69.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Powell Butte Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 471 23.7 19.8 25.3
1989 515 25.1 20.5 28.3
1990 512 22.7 22.5 27.3
1991 495 25.1 19.7 18.4
1992 551 22.0 25.0 18.5
1993 600 27.7 21.7 24
1994 500 23.2 21.6 22.6
1995 518 26.0 19.9 27.2
1996 518 26.0 19.9 27.2
1997 574 21.1 27.2 25.8
1998 558 26.7 20.9 24.9
1999 570 21.7 26.3 18.6
2000 582 26.8 21.7 36.1
2001 566 26.5 21.4 31.4
2002 569 28.2 20.2 49
2003 569 28.2 20.2 49
2004 447 22.5 19.9 54.3
2005 448 23.5 19.1 64.4
2006 458 24.0 19.1 60.9
2007 597 31.5 19.0 57.9
2008 558 30.5 18.3 66.4
2009 534 28.1 18.9 69.1
2010 572 24.9 22.9 79.2
2011 531 24.1 21.9 78.2
2012 461 23.9 19.2 86.6
2013 477 23.0 20.7 90.8
2014 519 24.0 21.5 81.7
2015 519 26.0 19.9 81.7
2016 515 26.0 19.8 81.7
2017 505 25.5 19.8 81.6
2018 540 28.5 18.9 85.6
2019 556 25.9 21.4 85.6
2020 538 27.0 19.9 85.5
2021 493 23.6 20.8 n/a
2022 467 26.9 17.3 n/a
2023 385 22.9 16.7 69.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Powell Butte Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $13,473
2020 $14,532
2021 $15,827
2022 $17,686

Data source: Oregon Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Powell Butte Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 559th of 705 Elementary schoolsRanks 690th of 706 Elementary schools
 18.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Powell Butte Elementary School)37.713.5
 24.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Centennial School District 28J)32.927.4
 5.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Oregon)46.539.4
 7.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Powell Butte Elementary School)37.78
 29.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Centennial School District 28J)33.623.7
 9.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Oregon)46.439.7
 6.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Powell Butte Elementary School)37.715.5
 22.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Centennial School District 28J)2931.4
 2.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Oregon)49.242.3
 6.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Powell Butte Elementary School)37.712.1
 25.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Centennial School District 28J)27.326.6
 0.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Oregon)43.237.6
 5.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Powell Butte Elementary School)28.222
 6.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Centennial School District 28J)43.335.2
 8.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Oregon)5447.1
 6.9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Powell Butte Elementary School)18.38.5
 9.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Centennial School District 28J)27.913.6
 14.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Oregon)37.830.7
 7.1%
5th Grade Science (Powell Butte Elementary School)21.68.5
 13.1%
   5th Grade Science (Centennial School District 28J)26.416
 10.4%
   5th Grade Science (Oregon)34.730.3
 4.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Powell Butte Elementary School)40.820.8
 20%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Centennial School District 28J)42.533.5
 9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Oregon)51.540.5
 11%
6th Grade Mathematics (Powell Butte Elementary School)29.610.4
 19.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Centennial School District 28J)29.320.1
 9.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Oregon)37.127.5
 9.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students556385
 30.8%
African American5643
 23.2%
American Indian44
Asian10061
 39%
Hispanic170121
 28.8%
Pacific Islander1512
 20%
White178105
 41%
Two or More Races3338
 15.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients85.6%69.6%
 16%


Schools Near Powell Butte Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Powell Butte Elementary School

Students who attend Powell Butte Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Centennial Middle School
High : Centennial High School

Powell Butte Elementary School ranks in the bottom 2.1% of Oregon elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 385 students attended Powell Butte Elementary School.

Students at Powell Butte Elementary School are 31% Hispanic, 27% White, 16% Asian, 11% African American, 10% Two or more races, 3% Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Oregon Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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