Grout Elementary School

3119 Southeast Holgate Boulevard

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 28, 2024

Very nice teachers and students. Learning is valued.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2021

Highly diverse school that provides an environment for children to develop beyond just textbook learning. Strong PTA provides support for the school facilities and children.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2021

Grout is truly a hidden gem. We moved to the area from out-of-state and rented in the Grout district so our daughter could attend school here. So far, the school has only been online because of COVID, but I am amazed every day at how much her teacher does to make her experience a good one. The teachers and staff we've met go above and beyond for the students. We love Grout!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2017

We have been at Grout since Pre-K and have had great experiences and great teachers! Our kids never want to leave! We have a magnet school two blocks from our house and when we have talked of them going there (for proximity) they strongly protest saying "Grout is the best and I'm staying there, no matter what!"
Submitted by other on February 26, 2017

This is our daughters first year at Grout and she/we love it. The school is completely on top of communications with parents. The principal is excellent and hands on, and her teacher is the best! Our daughter is thriving there!!
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2017

Given a diverse student population which includes many students in need of English language support, the challenge at Grout is to provide an education that does not hold back the needs of those native speakers who have a good grasp of basic skills. One solution is to use fill in the blank worksheets and to keep everyone busy so the teacher can keep up with prep for such diverse and large classrooms. A lock-step approach that does not allow either teachers or students to engage their imaginations or higher level critical skills has been the norm in terms of skill building. Innovation is not the buzz word at this school. One exception is an in-depth project on the Bridges of Portland headed by Ms. Van Clock. So I'd say I'm rather disappointed in the teacher-centered nature of the school. On the other hand, the teachers are caring and the atmosphere is friendly and inviting toward parents and the public.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2016

We couldn't have had better Kindergarten teachers than what we had at Grout. They were friendly, supportive and highly skilled at teaching young children. Class sizes were small compared to other schools. Grout is very underrated.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2016

All the teachers are Grout Elementary are great! We love Kari Lindstrom and Carolyn Neal. Kari has gone over and beyond to make my kids feel safe! My second grader hated school before her. He loves to read and is finally learning! Carolyn has helped my third graders confidence. She knows she can understand and learn. She even will answer questions in class. Kari has helped my third grader know she is special and she always has time to talk and tutor!
Submitted by other on January 25, 2015

I came here for my first year of Kindergarten in special ed. The teacher was nice, but she was inconsistent and didn't do well on her job. She resigned in the middle of the school. Despite of my behavioral problems and the teacher resigning, it was a very good year. The new teacher was wonderful, kind and actually gave us gifts. The paraeducators were great. The class was fun and I enjoyed the learning activities. I also had summer school here and it was a lot of fun.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2013

Our daughter is in Ms. Alleman's first grade class and we have another headed to kindergarten at Grout next year.The level of parent involvement goes up each year and the PTA works hard to enrich the kids' lives; a fabulous rain garden, the harvest festival, holiday craft fair, and making sure Play Works is there to enhance social skills and to teach them playground games! I love the emphasis on reading and the small reading groups geared towards the kids' needs. Our daughter is studying insects, learning about fractions (parts of a whole) and they've written several books this year! I also love the diversity of the student population. There are kids from all over the world at Grout, many languages spoken, and many cultures represented. My daughter has friends that are Japanese, Somalian, Russian and Indian. We love the SUN program for offering FREE after-school activities, and I can't speak highly enough about the YMCA after-school care. Nate, the YMCA teacher, gets those kids moving outside to burn some energy, and makes sure they have great crafts, games and stories to entertain them. We love our neighborhood school and can't wait to see you and your kids there!
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2011

My husband and I moved to portland last year for the 2010-2011 school year. Our daughter was in Ms. Kirks 2nd grade class and I could not have been happier with the results. The last school she went to had about 6-8 classes per grade so this was a great experience to just have one teacher and half the students. Any issues that were going on in the class Ms. Kirk handled within that day, any emails that were sent to her were handled during the day. The school over all was amazing. The music that played when you entered the school, the diversity and the teachers. I never entered the school and was not acknowledged by any teacher. The SMART program that if offered at the school is such a great offer for working parents because it is better than a daycare it actually keeps the kids in activities that they enjoy with their friends after school. I did have one instance at the park during the weekend with some bullying to my daughters friend and when I emailed Ms. Kirk she sent the email to the principal ASAP and I got a response to Susan McElroy right away. I am sad to say that we will be moving back to GA and will not get to experience this school again and all it has to offer.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2011

My son just graduated from kindergarten in Teacher Dayle's class. All of the kindergarten teachers at this school are wonderful and put so much effort and passion into these children that it's amazing. Grout Elementary has a wonderful school culture, created by an amazing principal, Susan McElroy. As you enter the building, you'll see glowing glass planets hanging above you while glass fish swim along the walls and glass flowers grow under a blue sky - all created by the kids at Grout. Directly in front, you'll see a copper tree sprouting the glass leaves they've made. Classical music plays in the hallways and the secretaries are both smiling and welcoming. The library is well kept and serves as a reading sanctuary for the kids. The economic, cultural/international, racial, religious, linguistic and political diversity is astounding and beneficial for our child...he has grown so much in his exposure to this. Playworks keeps recess fun for all of the kids and we don't have to worry about bullying. Our son has a dairy allergy and we send his lunches everyday so I can't speak to the cafeteria. He is part of the SMART reading program and that's definitely improved his comprehension.