DA VINCI MIDDLE SCHOOL

da Vinci Middle School is a public middle school that is part of the Portland SD 1J school district, located in Portland, OR with about 457 students offering grade levels from 6th Grade to 8th Grade. With about 22 teachers, da Vinci Middle School has a student/teacher ratio of about 20:1. 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.

da Vinci Middle School is a specialized arts-integrated public school located in the Kerns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Operating within the Portland Public Schools district, the school distinguishes itself by weaving a rigorous academic curriculum with a robust focus on the visual and performing arts. Students at Da Vinci engage in daily arts rotations—including subjects like dance, drama, music, and visual arts—which are designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression alongside core academic subjects like math, science, and humanities.

Because of its unique focus, the school attracts students from across the district through a lottery-based enrollment system. The school culture is known for being collaborative and inclusive, emphasizing the "whole child" approach to education. By integrating artistic projects into standard classroom lessons, Da Vinci aims to provide an engaging, hands-on learning environment that prepares middle schoolers for the transition to high school with both strong academic foundations and a refined appreciation for the arts.

For more information, contact da Vinci Middle School at (503) 916-5356 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.