Markham Elementary School

10531 Southwest Capitol Highway

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 parent on June 18, 2022

We love Markham!! Our daughter just finished her second grade year there during one of the most difficult times in our country’s recent history. She will be a third grader and my son will be in kindergarten this fall (2022). The community of students, parents, educators, and administrators are very close and supportive. Although the PPS district has done a terrible job managing communication and resources throughout the pandemic, Markham school has kept everyone engaged and has helped encourage families. Im grateful to have Markham as our assigned school.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2018

We’re going into our 4th year here, and have been consistently happy with our kid’s experience. This school is a great example of why numbered ratings aren’t always the best way to tell what a school is like. Given the backgrounds of many of the families who are part of this community, and the challenges they’ve overcome simply to be here, the test scores actually reflect immense dedication and effort on the part of the teachers and staff to make sure these kids have every opportunity to learn and grow. Some of the lower-rates reviews here are quite old—a lot has changed over the past 10 years, and this is a community any kid would be lucky to be part of.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2015

The staff seems fine but the building is ready for demolition. If it were a house for sale the listing would describe it as a 'major fixer/tear down'. The paint is peeling, the ceiling tiles are water stained, the grounds look unkempt. It's sad and deplorable.
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2014

We have been a Markham family for over 3 years now and continue to be very happy with the learning environment and school community. Markham has a diverse school population - a definite strength. There is full-time art, music, PE and technology programs and the school has both a full-size gym and auditorium. The principal is wonderful and a great advocate for the students.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2014

Our son just finished his K year at Markham and we are beyond pleased by the quality and dedication of the teachers, the arts program, the fantastic on site after-care program, the diversity and a principle who is one of the finest in the PPS. It is still puzzling to us as to why the over all test scores are so low. All we have to say is do not be fooled by these test scores. This is a fantastic school.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

We have been at Markham Elementary for 2 years and have been very happy with our choice. We continue to be amazed by the full range of programs that are offered. We looked at other SW PPS thinking that we may lottery out but quickly found that this was not necessary. The teaching staff and principle have proven to be excellent and our student is thriving. We are proud of the diversity that our child is being exposed to and his experiences have all been positive.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2014

We have two children at Markham. We love Markham because of the diverse culture and its passion for the arts. The parent involvement is incredible and the staff are some of the best in Portland. Oh, we also have both our kids in MCCA (before and after school program). It doesn't get any better for families with two working parents. Yes, the school is on the older side, but it was originally a middle school so Markham has a full size auditorium and gym. There are also four baseball fields behind the school. Do your family a favor and take a tour of the school before deciding where to send your children.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2014

Diverse, happy and full of very dedicated teachers. Markham is a wonderful and balanced community that welcomes all!
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2014

Like many families we looked at all of our options in SW for our kindergartner. Many people, who have never attended Markham, are quick to pass critical judgement so we were worried. It has turned out to be a wonderful school for our now almost 2nd grader. The families are wonderful and involved, the principal works very hard for her kids and staff, and the teachers have all been great as well. I think there has been a movement in the past few years with more families attending their neighborhood school and its showing. We play on teams together, see each other at restaurants and the park -- its a great community and its growing and getting better every year. Markham also has a very active and involved PTA which you can see in the other reviews.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

Markham is a hidden gem in the SW PPS elementary schools. We started out like a lot of families looking at the rating and test scores, and looked at other public, private and charter schools in the area. However, being supporters of neighborhood schools in general, we decided to give Markham a try for kindergarten. It was a great decision! The school has a wonderful staff led by an amazing principal. The PTA is very active and involved to the point of fully funding the art teacher's salary and supply budget. (And she is worth every penny donated and more!) The kids are also offered music, PE, library, and technology. On top of that, there are actual TAG pull-out classes. (The only PPS elementary we have found to have that!) It has a diverse population both culturally and economically, and the kids learn so much about living with people different than themselves. We feel so lucky to have our son at such a neat school!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2013

To the poster from 12/7/2012: I'm one of the parents that wrote a message using 'beyond pleased'. It remains an accurate way to describe our experience. We sent our child to a private school for the first two years, and we liked Markham A LOT better because of the economic, ethnic, educational, and intellectual diversity. We spent a great deal of time with people who were among the recipients of free and reduced lunch, and they also appreciated the diversity. I'm sure it's not the school for everyone, but it was certainly the school for us. I served on school committees and found many teachers and administrators intensely and deeply committed to the students. You're analysis is a fail.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

As a parent, I am extremely happy with Markum. Our Kindergarten teacher is absolutely wonderful and engaged. We thought of sending our child to a private school but we are so glad we tried Markum first. The staff is excellent and I couldn't be happier with the leadership!
Submitted by other on July 10, 2012

I went to Markham a few years ago, and my younger siblings currently go there. I love the school, the teachers are wonderful and there are lots of programs to help people who need it. The school itself is very diverse, and it works very well that way
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2011

We have two children, very different in learning styles, one with a need for accommodations in school. We were afraid that the local public school would provide a poor education, fail to accommodate our one child's differences, & have a negative social environment. We started with a private school, then a nearby charter school for two years, and finally came to Markham. We are beyond pleased. The staff and administration have been amazing in working with our children, both kids have advanced steadily in academics, and the social environment has been FAR and AWAY the most positive and supportive that we have experienced. I only wish we had come here to start with !
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2011

Educators and administration alike have proven in a short period of time that they are concerned with protecting themselves and each other - to the exclusion of working with parents, understanding children and promoting education. I've never feared for my child's well being before moving to Portland. Now I understand all of the cries of "For the love of all that is holy, keep your children away from Portland Schools." It appears the screaming masses were quite right.