Bridger Elementary School

7910 Southeast Market Street

School District

Portland 1j
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:8
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 other on January 08, 2023

Some great teachers although I have many great memories in Bridger I have to say that the education was sub-par. I loved many of my teachers but some were so fixated on social justice that they just forgot about many other subjects such as Math, English, and especially science. I have some very pleasant memories of my friends there but many of the kids were not very kind. It's a very diverse school if that's what you are looking for & I have friends that I met in the 1st grade there that are still my closest friends and it has become more than a friendship and into a brotherhood. Overall not the best school but will do if your a bright kid who is thriving to learn. Bridger Alumn Lou Rodriguez
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2016

An incredible Spanish immersion program. Both my kids love this school and have learned so much from the fabulous and dedicated staff here.The PTA works hard and is also dedicated to making the school a solid learning place. Their is wonderful diversity here too.After school programs are fun with a good variety of courses to choose from.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2015

After some really terrible school experiences our kid switched to Bridger. We were on the verge of homeschooling, but it was practically next door to a house we had moved in to so we decided to give it a try. It would be difficult to express how glad we are. The middle school teachers at Bridger are outstanding. They create innovative and engaging lessons, and they seem to sincerely care about the kids. Our son was shot down by teachers at his previous school for being too engaged, too into learning (I kid you not, one of them said he raised his hand too much). The teachers at Bridger celebrated his participation and expressed sincere gratitude for the very thing his previous school ostracized him for. The community was incredibly inclusive. He came late in the year and was immediately welcomed into a bonded group. The the cultural and ethnic diversity of Bridger is beautiful and beautifully nourished.It's not perfect. Like all middle schools, there are kids who are unkind, and missed teaching opportunities But ultimately I consider this school to be a hidden and unsung gem. Most of Portland doesn't even know this school is here - it's just a tiny neighborhood school. It doesn't really look like much, and it certainly doesn't feel like a wealthy school. But it has outstanding teachers and lots of heart.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2015

This is an amazing school in an up and coming neighborhood. The principal is awesome and the teachers care. Recess is valued and the students learn using a variety of methods.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

This is a school that is up and coming. Bridger was the most improved school last year in PPS when compared to similar schools. Still lots of room for improvement though. There is a lot of parent involvement and energy. The new Principal this year cares about the children. He has the children in mind first, which is where a school needs to be. His heart is there and I believe this school has huge potential. Overall we have been pleased for the five years we have been there.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

Bridger is a disaster and getting worse. Grade literacy ratings are 21%-35%. The 2013 7th grade Spanish class has had 6...six(!) teachers in the first eight weeks of school. PPS cannot PAY people to work there. Substitute and permanent (2nd career "teachers") are reported power struggling and intimidating students. There have been three principals in the past four years; with this year's being clearly the worst of the lot(!) whose answer to every problem is discipline, and consequences..and worse: threatening to CALL THE POLICE. Criminalizing kids' frustration? Really? I met with the principal to suggest stabilizing my son's Spanish class with increased adult supervision, teaching assistants, after school help, or other positive interventions. I came away dismayed by the principal reverting to a punitive Criminal Justice approach to authority as solution: seeming to not understand fundamental tenets of education or human motivation, or at least finding it easier to blame frustrated students than deal with severe systemic problems as, again, indicated by teachers/administrators fleeing this school.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2013

The new principal (second year) is making amazing changes at this school. The school's test scores went up a huge amount from last year. The staff works extremely hard, and the school has the potential to be a great school. The only thing holding this school back is the amount of families in the neighborhood that choose to send their children to other schools. If people actually went to the school in their area, they could make this a strong community, instead of weakening their own community.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2012

This a wonderful community and neighborhood school. My son's experience in the Spanish Immersion program has been awesome so far, and we are pleased at the dedicated, progressive and intelligent staff and family involvement.