Portland Public Schools (PPS), officially Portland School District 1J, is the largest public school district in Oregon, serving more than 44,000 students across approximately 81 schools, including 45 elementary schools, 10 K-8 schools, 15 middle schools, 10 high schools, and one K-12 school.

Founded in 1851, PPS is one of the oldest school districts in the Pacific Northwest, headquartered at the Blanchard Educational Service Center at 501 N. Dixon Street, Portland, Oregon.

The district’s superintendent is Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, supported by a seven-member Board of Education representing geographically defined zones across the district, with a Student Representative also participating on the board annually.

District Highlights For 2026-2027

Portland Public Schools has been at the centre of several significant developments heading into the 2026-2027 year. The district is midway through a major building modernisation and seismic safety programme, with many early 20th-century school buildings — including Buckman Elementary (built 1918), Fernwood/Beverly Cleary Elementary, and Rose City Park Elementary — undergoing or awaiting seismic retrofitting. A $1.8 billion bond measure was put before voters in May 2026, with concerned parents petitioning for over $100 million to be specifically dedicated to retrofitting older buildings with unreinforced masonry.

Grant High School, formerly Ulysses S. Grant High School, opened in 1924 and recently underwent a major renovation funded through a $482 million bond approved in 2012 — including interior reconstruction, seismic retrofitting, and expanded classroom and gym space. Grant High School now serves over 2,100 students in 2026 with a student-teacher ratio of roughly 21:1.

The district has also approved unlimited inter-district transfers for 2026-2027, provided applications are submitted on time, with transfer decisions typically taking one to three weeks.

District Contact Information

Portland Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 — Key Dates

Note: Oregon state law requires a minimum of 165 instructional days or 900/990 hours per school year. Spring Break exact dates were not separately published in the data available at the time of writing — confirm spring break via pps.net before finalising family plans, as PPS calendars are updated throughout the year (the 2025-26 calendar was updated as recently as April 1, 2026, to include furlough days and remove early release days).

Last verified: 03rd July 2026. Official source: Portland Public Schools — Calendar (pps.net)

Academic Programs

PPS offers a wide range of academic pathways, including:

• Dual Language Immersion in Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese — among the most diverse DLI offerings of any Pacific Northwest district
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in various industry sectors
• Visual and Performing Arts programmes across multiple schools
• Early Learning — including preschool and Developmental Kindergarten
• Special Education and personalised learning support for students with unique needs

The district also offers a Dual Enrollment pathway for high school students, allowing them to earn college credits alongside their high school qualifications.

Enrollment

Portland Public Schools uses an online registration portal for Pre-K through Grade 12. Oregon law requires children to be at least 5 years old by September 1 to enter Kindergarten. Families must submit proof of address and other documents to finalise enrolment. For multilingual support during the enrolment process, the district provides dedicated phone contacts in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Somali.

For 2026-2027, the district has approved unlimited inter-district transfers, provided applications are submitted on time. Transfer decisions typically take one to three weeks to process.

Transportation

PPS provides bus transportation for students in grades K-8 living beyond certain distances:

• Kindergarteners residing more than half a mile from school
• Grades 1-5 students residing more than one mile away
• Grades 6-8 students residing more than two miles away

High school students use free passes for the Greater Portland METRO transit system instead of traditional school buses. Safety measures include assigned seating, mandatory adult presence for young children at stops, and semi-annual emergency evacuation drills.

School Meals

All PPS students have access to free meals featuring diverse, locally sourced options including hummus, vegan chili, and yakisoba noodles — reflecting the district’s commitment to cultural inclusivity and nutrition. This initiative is supported by state and federal funds, and families are encouraged to complete the Household Income Data Form to help the district secure additional educational funding.

Athletics

PPS offers athletics across middle and high schools through the Portland Interscholastic League. High school sports include football, basketball, soccer, track and field, volleyball, baseball, softball, wrestling, tennis, golf, bowling, and cheerleading. Middle school offerings include cross country, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and track and field.

Safety and Policies

PPS has implemented a cellphone restriction policy during school hours, and students are required to wear identification badges on campus. Discipline policies emphasise restorative practices, prohibit corporal punishment and withholding of recess or physical education, and require de-escalation training for staff, with equitable treatment across all student groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Superintendent of Portland Public Schools, Oregon?

Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong serves as Superintendent of Portland Public Schools (Oregon) — not to be confused with Portland Public Schools in Maine (pps.net vs portlandschools.org), which are separate districts.

When does the 2026-2027 school year start for PPS?

The first day of school for Grades 7-8 and 10-11 is Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

Does PPS offer free meals to all students?

Yes. All PPS students have access to free breakfast and lunch, with locally sourced, culturally diverse menu options.

What languages does PPS offer enrolment support in?

English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Somali.

Who do I contact for general district queries?

Contact PPS at (503) 916-2000 or visit pps.net.

Related Oregon / USA School Calendars

• Old Bridge Public Schools Calendar
• Newark Public Schools Calendar
• Greenwich Public Schools Calendar