The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science

www.thecottonwoodschool.org

Charter School 205 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.

205

Total Students

11.7

Full-Time Teachers

17.6

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	133
Hispanic	26
Black	10
Asian	9
Two or More	23

White
133 (66.2 %)
Hispanic
26 (12.9 %)
Two or More
23 (11.4 %)
Black
10 (5.0 %)
Asian
9 (4.5 %)

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:	205
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	11.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.6
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 20

Grade 1 22

Grade 2 22

Grade 3 22

Grade 4 24

Grade 5 24

Grade 6 25

Grade 7 24

Grade 8 22

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	20
Grade 1	22
Grade 2	22
Grade 3	22
Grade 4	24
Grade 5	24
Grade 6	25
Grade 7	24
Grade 8	22

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	84	41%
Male	117	57.1%
Not Specified	4	1.9%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)