Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Public High Schools in Portland
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Public High Schools in Portland
Direct Answer
The Best Overall public high school in the Portland, Oregon metro area is the International School of Beaverton (ISB), an application-based magnet in the Beaverton School District whose near-universal IB participation, graduation rate above 95%, and consistently top statewide ranking place it ahead of every traditional comprehensive school.
The Best Value pick is Lincoln High School in Portland Public Schools, a tuition-free, well-resourced downtown school that delivers high graduation rates, deep AP offerings, and strong college matriculation to any family in its attendance zone. This list is built for families and students weighing where to enroll across the Portland metro, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from the Oregon Department of Education, U.S. News, Niche, and district sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families actually raise with guidance offices, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), and the College Board. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) , 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes , 20%
- Value and cost , 15%
- Teachers and resources , 15%
- Environment and safety , 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit , 10%
A school that posts strong scores but graduates few students, or wins on reputation but offers thin programs, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. International School of Beaverton 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Public Magnet (IB) | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking a full International Baccalaureate pathway
The International School of Beaverton in Beaverton is an application-based magnet serving roughly 1,000 students in grades 6–12, and it routinely ranks as the top public high school in the Portland metro and among the best in Oregon. Nearly all students pursue the International Baccalaureate curriculum, and the school posts a graduation rate above 95% with strong IB exam results and high college matriculation.
Its small size and language-rich program support close teaching, and graduates enroll at the University of Oregon, Oregon State, and selective out-of-state universities.
Pros:
- Near-universal IB participation with strong exam results
- Graduation rate above 95%
- Small, language-rich learning community
- Strong college matriculation
Cons:
- Application-based admission with limited seats
- IB workload is demanding for the full diploma
Verdict: ISB wins on balance, offering the metro's deepest IB pathway and outcomes to match.
2. Lincoln High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a top comprehensive school without an application 💎 BEST VALUE
Lincoln High School in downtown Portland serves about 1,700 students in a modern building and is consistently the highest-rated comprehensive school in Portland Public Schools. Lincoln posts a graduation rate near 95%, broad AP offerings, and average test scores well above the state median, all delivered tuition-free with no admission test.
Its Constitution Team, debate, and athletics programs are strong, and a high share of graduates enroll in four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 95%, open enrollment
- Deep AP catalog and strong test scores
- Standout Constitution Team and debate programs
- Modern downtown facility
Cons:
- Attendance-zone housing carries a price premium
- Large enrollment means sizable core classes
Verdict: The value champion, delivering top comprehensive outcomes free to every zoned family.
3. Jesuit-area peer: Sunset High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Beaverton-area families seeking strong academics and athletics
Sunset High School in Portland's west side, part of the Beaverton School District, enrolls about 2,200 students and is a perennial high performer. Sunset reports a graduation rate near 94%, a broad AP catalog, and strong test scores, along with one of the metro's most complete athletics and activities programs.
Graduates enroll heavily at the University of Oregon, Oregon State, and out-of-state schools.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 94%
- Broad AP offerings and strong test scores
- Deep athletics and activities programs
- Well-resourced Beaverton district support
Cons:
- Large enrollment yields bigger classes
- Popular electives fill quickly
Verdict: A balanced west-side powerhouse, strong in both academics and extracurriculars.
4. Lake Oswego High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: South-metro families wanting top academics and college matriculation
Lake Oswego High School in Lake Oswego serves about 1,300 students and is one of the highest-performing public schools in the Portland metro. It reports a graduation rate near 96%, strong AP participation, and test scores well above the state average, supported by a well-funded district.
Graduates regularly enroll at selective four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- High AP participation with strong pass rates
- Well-funded district and experienced faculty
- Strong selective-college matriculation
Cons:
- High-cost attendance zone limits diversity
- Academic pressure can be intense
Verdict: A south-metro standout with elite outcomes for college-bound students.
5. Lakeridge High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Lake Oswego families seeking a smaller high-performing school
Lakeridge High School, also in Lake Oswego, enrolls about 1,200 students and matches its sister school on outcomes. Lakeridge posts a graduation rate near 96%, strong AP results, and high test scores, with a smaller, close-knit culture. Its arts and athletics programs are well regarded, and matriculation to four-year colleges is high.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- Strong AP results and test scores
- Smaller, close-knit school culture
- Solid arts and athletics
Cons:
- High-cost zone limits socioeconomic diversity
- Smaller AP catalog than the largest schools
Verdict: A smaller, high-performing alternative to its sister school, with the same strong outcomes.
6. West Linn High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting strong academics and a powerhouse athletics tradition
West Linn High School in West Linn serves about 1,800 students and pairs strong academics with one of Oregon's most successful athletics programs. It reports a graduation rate near 95%, a broad AP catalog, and test scores above the state median. The school's well-funded district supports deep electives and activities, and graduates enroll heavily in four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 95%
- Broad AP offerings and strong test scores
- Statewide-leading athletics tradition
- Well-funded district and electives
Cons:
- Large enrollment yields sizable classes
- Affluent zone limits diversity
Verdict: A balanced standout with elite athletics and strong academics.
7. Tigard High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a large comprehensive school with broad programs
Tigard High School in Tigard enrolls about 2,000 students and offers one of the broadest program menus in the metro. Tigard reports a graduation rate near 92%, a wide AP catalog, and solid test scores, along with strong CTE, arts, and athletics options. Its diverse student body and broad offerings make it a strong comprehensive choice.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 92%
- Wide AP and CTE program menu
- Strong arts and athletics
- Diverse student community
Cons:
- Outcomes trail the top suburban schools slightly
- Large size can feel impersonal
Verdict: A broad, diverse comprehensive school with strong program variety.
8. Wilsonville High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: South-metro families seeking a smaller high-performing school
Wilsonville High School in Wilsonville serves about 1,300 students and is a consistent high performer in the West Linn-Wilsonville district. It posts a graduation rate near 95%, strong AP participation, and test scores above the state average, with competitive athletics and STEM programs.
Matriculation to four-year colleges is strong.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 95%
- Strong AP participation
- Competitive athletics and STEM clubs
- Well-funded district support
Cons:
- Smaller AP catalog than the largest schools
- Growing enrollment strains some electives
Verdict: A reliable south-metro performer with strong, well-rounded outcomes.
9. Westview High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Beaverton-area families wanting strong STEM and diversity
Westview High School in Portland's Beaverton area is one of the largest schools in the metro at about 2,800 students and posts strong outcomes for its size. Westview reports a graduation rate near 92%, a broad AP catalog, and competitive STEM and robotics programs, serving a notably diverse student body.
Graduates enroll heavily in four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 92% at large scale
- Broad AP offerings and strong STEM programs
- Diverse student community
- Well-resourced Beaverton district
Cons:
- Very large enrollment yields big classes
- Outcomes vary across a wide student body
Verdict: A large, diverse STEM-forward school with strong outcomes for its size.
10. Grant High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Northeast Portland families wanting a strong comprehensive school
Grant High School in northeast Portland, part of Portland Public Schools, serves about 1,700 students in a renovated historic building. Grant reports a graduation rate near 90%, a broad AP catalog, and strong arts, debate, and athletics programs. Its diverse student body and central location make it a popular comprehensive choice, with solid four-year college matriculation.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 90%
- Broad AP offerings
- Strong arts, debate, and athletics
- Renovated historic facility
Cons:
- Outcomes trail the top suburban schools
- Large size yields sizable classes
Verdict: A strong, diverse Portland Public option with broad programs and a central location.
What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School
- Graduation and college-going rates , A school that graduates 95%+ of students and sends most to four-year colleges signals consistent outcomes, not just high test scores from a few.
- AP/IB depth and pass rates , Look beyond how many courses are offered to how many students actually pass exams, which reflects real classroom rigor.
- Student-teacher ratio and resources , Smaller ratios and stable, experienced faculty matter more than building age or marketing.
- Magnet vs. Open enrollment , Magnets like ISB offer depth but require an application; top comprehensive schools like Lincoln and Sunset deliver strong outcomes to all zoned families.
- Environment and safety , Check climate surveys and discipline data, not reputation alone, to gauge whether a student will thrive.
- Program fit , An IB diploma at ISB or a CTE pathway at Tigard may serve a specific student far better than a higher overall ranking.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's national ranking number, its newest building, or its average test score alone. Fit, program access, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which public high school is the best overall in Portland? The International School of Beaverton earns the top spot for its near-universal IB participation, graduation rate above 95%, and consistent top statewide ranking.
What is the best value public high school in Portland? Lincoln High School in Portland Public Schools is our best value, delivering a graduation rate near 95%, deep AP offerings, and strong college matriculation tuition-free to any zoned family.
Which Portland public high school is best for STEM? Westview and Sunset in the Beaverton district offer strong STEM and robotics programs, while ISB's IB program provides rigorous science and math coursework for application-based students.
Do the top Portland public high schools require an application? The International School of Beaverton is application-based, while comprehensive schools like Lincoln, Sunset, and Lake Oswego are open to families in their attendance zones.
Which Portland-area district has the best public high schools? The Beaverton, Lake Oswego, and West Linn-Wilsonville districts lead the metro, with Beaverton's ISB topping the magnet category and Lake Oswego and West Linn-Wilsonville leading among comprehensive schools.
Is an IB or AP program better in Portland public schools? Both are excellent , ISB's IB diploma offers a structured, internationally recognized pathway, while AP-heavy schools like Lincoln and Sunset let students choose individual rigorous courses; the right fit depends on the student.
Bottom Line
For Portland-area families, the International School of Beaverton is our Best Overall public high school, with near-universal IB participation and a graduation rate above 95%. Lincoln High School is our Best Value, delivering strong AP offerings and a graduation rate near 95% tuition-free to every zoned family.
If your priority is athletics, look to West Linn and Sunset; for top south-metro outcomes, Lake Oswego and Lakeridge lead. Choose on program fit, outcomes, and access rather than a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News , Best Oregon High Schools rankings
- Niche , Best Public High Schools in the Portland Area
- GreatSchools , Portland school ratings
- Oregon Department of Education , School and District Report Cards
- College Board , AP program data
- Beaverton School District , International School of Beaverton
- Portland Public Schools , high school programs
- Lake Oswego School District
*Public high schools in Portland review , best public high schools Portland, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families.*