Benson Polytechnic High School

www.pps.net/schools/benson

824 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Benson Polytechnic High School, located in Portland, Oregon, is a specialized career-technical education (CTE) school within the Portland Public Schools district. Distinguished by its rigorous dual-focus curriculum, the school integrates traditional college-preparatory academics with advanced vocational training. Students at Benson choose from a variety of professional pathways—such as engineering, automotive technology, construction, health occupations, and digital media—allowing them to gain hands-on experience and industry-standard certifications while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements.

The school is well-regarded for its mission to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, preparing students for both higher education and immediate entry into the workforce. Benson serves as a unique educational hub in Portland, fostering a culture of innovation and technical proficiency. With its blend of academic rigor and specialized shop-based learning, the school provides a distinct alternative to the comprehensive high school experience, aiming to equip graduates with the practical skills and technical literacy necessary to succeed in a modern, competitive economy.

824

Total Students

59.5

Full-Time Teachers

13.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

45.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Benson Polytechnic High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	357
Hispanic	220
Black	90
Asian	41
Two or More	93
American Indian	4
Pacific Islander	4

White
357 (44.1 %)
Hispanic
220 (27.2 %)
Two or More
93 (11.5 %)
Black
90 (11.1 %)
Asian
41 (5.1 %)
American Indian
4 (0.5 %)
Pacific Islander
4 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Portland SD 1J
Phone:	(503)916-5100
Website:	http://www.pps.net/schools/benson
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	824
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	59.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	376
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* 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

Grade 9 234

Grade 10 199

Grade 11 182

Grade 12 209