Abernethy Elementary School

2421 Southeast Orange Avenue

School District

Portland 1j
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Portland School District 1j

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 14, 2024

Abernethy is a vibrant elementary school that is the hub of a highly engaged and collaborative community. We moved into this neighborhood so that our children could attend Abernethy, and it has not disappointed. Leadership and faculty are excellent, the parent community is very active, and there is a strong sense of pride in attending this school. The faculty is remarkably stable and consistent - the only reason a teacher leaves is for retirement - once they join this community, they do not want to leave it.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2024

The teaching and administrative team at Abernethy are fantastic and demonstrate a ton of care for the kids. The community is awesome and rallies around great ideas like bike bus, run club and other fun activities to bring the community together. The community events such as carnival and movie nights bring so much joy to the community.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2024

Abernethy is a wonderful school for my 2 daughters. The teachers are amazing, the staff are common and the community has been incredible for us. Don't send your kids to private school, send them here and be part of making your community great!
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2024

This is a GREAT school. Wonderful principal, caring teachers, amazing community. We have been so happy with our kid’s experience here.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2023

All of the teachers my kids have had are very dedicated to teaching and making my kids feel safe. This past year has been the best so far with a new principal who is visibly supportive of the students and employees of the school. My understanding is enrollment in multiple Portland public elementary schools have decreased during/post pandemic. The principal has been great at communicating with parents about ideas and the steps she has already taken to help keep class sizes reasonable as well as how to boost enrollment. Thankful she is coming back next year! I’m also grateful for the social-emotional education the counselors provided to my children’s classes when they were in the younger grades.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2023

We’ve had an extremely positive experience at Abernethy. Our son’s teachers have been caring, hard working, dedicated and professional. The school has a new Principal as of fall 2023 and she is outstanding. The school community is fantastic, bullying is not a thing that happens and the environment is very friendly, supportive, and empowering for kids. This school is exceptional and has exceeded all of our expectations.
Submitted by other on June 10, 2014

Went there for 6 years and I loved every year. I'm sad to hear that the chef left because she would make the best food.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2014

Last week I took my first grade son out of school permanently from Abernathy Elementary. The school appears great from the outside but functions very poorly on the inside. My son was labeled ADHD at the beginning of the year by his teacher because he was messy, had bad handwriting and didn't want to listen to directions and didn't want to sit in his desk. We had him tested and it turns out he is highly gifted and not ADHD at all and the problem is boredom and an apathetic teacher. The principle early on told us that our son couldn't change classes and that we had to deal only with the teacher. The school counselor were fixated on his behavior and wanted to give him fidgets and other devises to "help." Not once were his potential abilities addressed or harnessed. This school has failed up completely from the principle to the teacher to the counselor to the district TAG department. I will never send my son to another Portland public school.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2014

Please, don't send your kids here. It's too crowded and it will just get worse. Stay in YOUR OWN school district! Make YOUR school an excellent school like the parents here have done. ALL public schools should be desirable!
Submitted by other on October 13, 2013

This safe haven takes it all in stride! 2013....YIKES. ..our Principal leaves...our belover chef goes next. Notice: there will be 500 +k-5 .attending this year ...Did someone say overcrowding?..no room for the library? ....is our music program on? What about the gardening program? Well friends.....Each and every challenge was met with sensible answers. The children are thriving...testing is strong. ..teachers dedication is high....they truly teach every child....and everyone in our community benifits. When you want the best for the children....you focus on the positive solutions !
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2012

I have been at Abernethy for 12 years as a parent and have nothing but praise for our principal, who most assuredly does not have favorites but does what is best for the whole student body. The teachers that my 4 children have had have been excellent, the level of parental involvement is high, and with so much programming, there is a place for everyone. Working parents ( such as my husband and I) feel very involved in the school and yet are grateful for those parents who may be more involved because the are stay at home parents. Overall a great community in which to raise our kids.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2010

Abernethy is an excellent school overall, with very good teachers and a strong set of programs (Garden of Wonders and Scratch Kitchen) and a supportive parent community. I do not think the negative reviews reflect the academic quality of the school.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2010

This school hasmany problems, especially the administration. There are, and have been, a hand full of ok teachers. The TAG program is a joke and the parents are very clicky---working parents do not have a chance here if you are not 'in' with the quasi vegan-elitists. They are just trying to get through the day and excellence is not a priority. Do not recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2009

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Submitted by student on May 06, 2008

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