Catlin Gabel School (Top Ranked Private School for 2025)

8825 SW Barnes Road
Portland, OR 97225

Catlin Gabel School Photo #1 - Catlin Gabel is recognized as one of the finest schools in the nation. When students step onto our 67-acre campus, they find themselves in the center of our educational experience: fir trees, meadows, and apple orchard, as well as multimedia classrooms, a creative arts center, state-of-the-art science labs, divisional libraries, soccer fields, tennis courts, an outdoor track, and much more.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #2 - Students of every age take advantage of outside learning opportunities.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #3 - Our small class sizes create an environment in which students are active participants in their learning, engaging with each other and their teachers.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #4 - A key component of a Catlin Gabel education is experiential learning, where students learn through doing. They work closely with classmates and their teachers to solve problems and develop creative solutions.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #5 - Catlin Gabel students are strong competitors, whether they are first-time participants learning new skills or seasoned players aiming to win a state championship. Our no-cut policies encourage students to take risks and develop skills from the ground up, while our competitive spirit has helped make Catlin one of the best private school athletic programs in Portland.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #6 - Catlin Gabel's high school engineering and robotics program involves students with real-world engineering, computer science, design, math, and applied physics. The team and project-management skills learned here last a lifetime.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #7 - Catlin Gabel students have access to an array of labs and have represented the State of Oregon in the National Science Bowl Championships, have competed and won at local and national levels in robotics championships, as well as other science-related ventures.

Catlin Gabel School Photo #8 - Productions take place throughout the year in our Black Box Theater and our Cabell Center Theater, which seats over 400 people. Students can take part in improv, acting, technical theater, and costume design.

Catlin Gabel is a nationally recognized progressive private day school, offering an exceptional education for preschool through 12th grade.

We nurture each student's curiosity and individuality in an inclusive community that values creativity, character, and a lifelong love of learning.

Students are empowered to think critically, explore boldly, and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Quick Stats (2025)

Top Ranked OR School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 784 students
Acceptance rate: 43%
Average class size: 17 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / Feb. 4
Source: Verified school update

School News

Integrating Students into the Learning Process - 05/16/2025
First grade is wonderful because they are so curious and they want to ask questions about everything. They're not embarrassed to not know something. They want to take in anything ...morethat they can, and they're becoming increasingly aware. One of our values as a community is being curious, and we talk a lot about how learning stems from curiosity: When you have a question, we can figure out as a class how we can answer that question. And that's part of our job as teachers-to give them skills to learn how to find answers to their questions. hide
Building the Capacity to Lead by Educating for Democracy - 05/16/2025
What makes a Catlin Gabel education distinctive and valuable? Experiential learning? A culture of inquiry? Appreciating the whole child? Expert teachers? Our beautiful campus? It is all of those-and a ...morelongstanding commitment to educating students for active participation and leadership in society. "Educating for Democracy" has been a hallmark strength at our school and stands as one of our four pillars of progressive education. But what does it mean, exactly? hide
Mock Trial Team Competes at State Championship - 05/16/2025
The Catlin Mock Trial team competed at the Mock Trial State Championship on March 15-16 to close out a strong season. After placing 2nd in the Clackamas Region, the Blue ...moreteam advanced on to State, where they placed 3rd with a 9-3 ballot record, accumulating a 22-3 record on the season. The White team placed 4th at regionals with a 7-6 cumulative record. hide

Top Rankings

Catlin Gabel School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Other school association(s)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1957

Colors

White, Blue, Royal blue

School Calendar

View School Calendar

First Day of School

Sun. Aug 31, 2025

Campus Size

Student Body

Total Students

784 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

52%

State avg.: 25%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

83 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

9:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

88%

Average Class Size

17 students

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese, Computer Science, Economics, English, French, History, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, Spanish, Statistics

Average SAT score

1393

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / Feb. 4

Tuition Notes

Varies by division: $37,300-$45,800 Financial assistance available

% on Financial Aid

27%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$28,560

Acceptance Rate

43%

National avg.: 81%

College Acceptance Rate

99%

Admissions Director

Jasmine Davidson

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$43.22 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

9 sports

Sports

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

43 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
Advocates for Women in Science Engineering and Math (AWSEM), All Queer Environment (AQE)—LGBTQ+ Affinity, Asian American and Pacific Islander Affinity Group (AAPI), Astronomy Club, Competitive Programming Club, D.R.E.A.M. (Diverse, Resilient, and Essential American Migrants), DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Desi Affinity Group, GIRLS Rock, Global Economics, Global Education, Hispanic/Latinx Affinity Group, History Bowl/Bee Club, Impact: Tech Society, Interfaith, Jewish Affinity Group / Jewish Student Union, Math Club, Middle Eastern Affinity Group, Mock Trial, Model United Nations, Multi-Culti, Outdoor Education Program, Philistine Club, Philosophy Club, Quiz Bowl, REquip Soccer, Robotics, S.A.F.E. (Students and Friends for Equality), Science Ambassadors, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Speech and Debate, Tinkering, TRIBE (The Real Indescribable Black Experience), Yearbook Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Ceramics, Choir, Drama, Jazz Band, Media Arts, Music, Rock Band, Visual Arts

School Notes

School Motto: Catlin Gabel fosters compassionate and curious citizens of the world by inspiring in every student a love of learning and the courage to take responsible action.
School Mascot: Eagles

Catlin Gabelis anationally recognizedprogressive private day schoolin Portland, Oregon, offering an exceptional education for preschool through 12th grade.
At Catlin Gabel,teachers build transforming relationships with each student. Byhonoring each child's innate capacities, encouraging exploration, welcoming questions, and always presenting new intellectual and creative challenges, our private school nurturesyoungscientists,storytellers,artists, andathletesto thrive.
Catlin Gabel supports inspired learning leading to responsible action through dedicated teaching, caring relationships, achallenging curriculum, andcommunity service. We value each person's effort, imagination, andpositive contributions to the community. We celebrate being inclusive and the partnership between family and school.
Come see for yourself!

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Gas Van Sant '71 - Filmmaker, photographer, painter, and musician
- Roger Gantz '89 - Retired soccer defender and midfielder for the Portland Timbers
- David Julian Shipley '81 - Journalist and book author, deputy editorial editor at The New York Times
- Nadya Okamoto '16 - Social entrepreneur, founder of non-profit Period Inc.
- Megan Amram '06 - Comedy writer, producer, and performer

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of Catlin Gabel School?

The acceptance rate of Catlin Gabel School is 43%, which is lower than the national average of 82%. Catlin Gabel School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Oregon with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Catlin Gabel School?

Catlin Gabel School famous alumni include: Gas Van Sant '71, Roger Gantz '89, David Julian Shipley '81, Nadya Okamoto '16 and Megan Amram '06.

What sports does Catlin Gabel School offer?

Catlin Gabel School offers 9 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Catlin Gabel School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for most sports offered.

What is Catlin Gabel School's ranking?

Catlin Gabel School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of students of color, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.

When is the application deadline for Catlin Gabel School?

The application deadline for Catlin Gabel School is Jan. 15 / Feb. 4.

In what neighborhood is Catlin Gabel School located?

Catlin Gabel School is located in the Cedar Mill neighborhood of Portland, OR. There are 6 other private schools located in Cedar Mill.

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