The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science

www.thecottonwoodschool.org

Charter School 198 Students

Elementary School K - 8th

School Overview

The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, located in Portland, Oregon, is a K-8 public charter school that emphasizes a robust, place-based approach to learning. The school is defined by a curriculum that integrates civic engagement and scientific inquiry, encouraging students to explore their local environment, history, and community. By connecting classroom studies to the real world, the school aims to cultivate responsible citizens who are prepared to contribute thoughtfully to their community and the broader world.

Central to Cottonwood’s educational philosophy is the integration of the arts, humanities, and sciences into a cohesive, project-based framework. Students frequently participate in "expeditions"—long-term, interdisciplinary studies that allow them to engage deeply with specific topics and produce high-quality work. The school fosters a supportive, collaborative culture, emphasizing critical thinking, hands-on learning, and a commitment to democratic values, ensuring that students develop both the academic foundation and the personal character necessary for future success.

198

Total Students

11.8

Full-Time Teachers

16.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Demographic	Student Count
White	102
Hispanic	32
Black	7
Asian	6
Two or More	33
Pacific Islander	1

White
102 (56.4%)
Two or More
33 (18.2%)
Hispanic
32 (17.7%)
Black
7 (3.9%)
Asian
6 (3.3%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.6%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Oregon Department of Education
Phone:	(503)244-1697
Website:	http://www.thecottonwoodschool.org
Grade Range:	K - 8th
Total Students:	198
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	11.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.7
NSLP Participation:¹	No
Qualified Free Lunch:	N/A
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	N/A

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 17

Grade 1 21

Grade 2 24

Grade 3 21

Grade 4 24

Grade 5 24

Grade 6 23

Grade 7 21

Grade 8 23

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	17
Grade 1	21
Grade 2	24
Grade 3	21
Grade 4	24
Grade 5	24
Grade 6	23
Grade 7	21
Grade 8	23

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	68	34.3%
Male	113	57.1%
Not Specified	17	8.6%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)