School Review: Sacramento Elementary in Portland, Oregon

When we first moved to this neighborhood, one of my main doubts was about the schools in the area. I wasn't really familiar with the Parkrose School District. As it turns out, I need not have worried.

Sacramento Elementary in Portland, Oregon is one of four elementary schools in the Parkrose School District, located in the eastern part of the city. It serves students in the Parkrose Heights and Woodland Park neighborhoods, and is located at 11400 NE Sacramento Street.

Currently, 440 students are registered at Sacramento Elementary (the highest figure in several years). According to GreatSchools.net, Sacramento's student/teacher ratio in 2006-2007 was 16 students to each FTE teacher; this may have gone up since then.

Sacramento Elementary has received several awards or recognitions in recent years. During the 2007-2008 school year, the school was recognized as a National Title I Distinguished School, specifically for its work with English Language Learner students (25 percent of Sacramento students are considered English Language Learners). In 2008, the school received a Leader in Instructional Technology Award from the Siboney Learning Group. And in 2009, Sacramento received a Bronze Award from the Healthy Schools Program, recognizing the school for its efforts to create a healthier school environment for both students and staff.

The school's academic program now includes looping for all grades. This means that students are in the same class with the same teacher for grades K-1, switching to a different teacher for grades 2-3 and again for grades 4-5. This allows teachers, students and families to form strong and positive working relationships over the two years they are together. Sacramento also provides an all day kindergarten program for all students.

We've found this school to be a very positive environment for our children. Teachers are flexible and caring, and the principal is a positive presence throughout the school. We've really appreciated the school's healthy choices as well. For instance, students are asked to bring healthy snacks instead of cupcakes or other sugary treats to celebrate birthdays - or to find a different way to celebrate altogether, like playing games. Students also frequently spend time outdoors, taking nature walks in the park or working in the school garden. PE time is somewhat limited (30 minutes per week with a PE specialist plus 30 minutes per week with the classroom teacher), but students are given ample recess time to be physically active.

Music time is also limited; students get 30 minutes per week with a music specialist, who is shared with another school, and when our children were in kindergarten they didn't even get music every week. However, the teachers do sing with the children in class, so at least they are getting some exposure to music, and 5th grade students get the opportunity to study an instrument.

Overall, we've been very happy with Sacramento Elementary, and would recommend this school to parents living in or considering the Parkrose Heights area.