PORTLAND ARTHUR ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

Portland Arthur Academy Charter School is a public charter elementary school that is part of the Portland SD 1J school district, located in Portland, OR with about 175 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. With about 6 teachers, Portland Arthur Academy Charter School has a student/teacher ratio of about 29:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Portland Arthur Academy is a public charter school located in the Montavilla neighborhood of Southeast Portland, serving students in grades K–5. It is part of the Arthur Academy network, a small group of tuition-free charter schools in Oregon that utilize the Direct Instruction (DI) model. This pedagogical approach is characterized by highly structured, teacher-led lessons, fast-paced instruction, and frequent assessments to ensure mastery of core academic skills, particularly in reading, math, and language arts.

The school is widely recognized for its "back-to-basics" academic philosophy, which prioritizes core curriculum and a disciplined, supportive classroom environment. Because it is a public charter, it operates independently of the traditional district curriculum, allowing it to maintain a consistent, research-based instructional focus across all grade levels. Its mission centers on providing a rigorous academic foundation designed to help all students—regardless of their starting point—reach or exceed grade-level proficiency before transitioning to middle school.

For more information, contact Portland Arthur Academy Charter School at (503) 257-3936 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.