Portland Public Schools is weighing its biggest round of school changes in a generation. On October 6, the district presented two “rightsizing” scenarios that would close up to 14 schools and redraw 38 of boundaries across the city. The PPS board is expected to vote in December, with changes starting in Fall 2027.
Sunnyside Environmental School (SES) isn’t on the closure list. But both scenarios would turn it into a K-5 school, ending its middle grades and the environmental program that has defined it for over 30 years. The district’s own projections show enrollment at the school falling to about 235 students by 2031—even with the inclusion of former Buckman students—well below its target of 360. That could leave SES vulnerable to full closure later, and the neighborhood with a large vacant building.
This is something every neighbor and business owner should care about, even if you don’t have kids attending the school.
Sunnyside is one of only 12 PPS schools with growing enrollment, and far more families apply than there are seats. With births in our area down 35% in a decade, having a school that families compete to get into helps keep young families here.
It’s also a true walking school. Today, 96.8% of students live within a mile. Under the proposals, that drops to 65.5%: That means more cars crowding Sunnyside streets and fewer customers walking to local businesses.
Sunnyside students invest in their own school and in our community, too. Last year, kindergarteners through 8th graders spent a combined 7,000 learning in, and tending to, the school’s living garden classroom. Middle schoolers spent about 1,285 hours restoring local land and water with groups like SOLVE and Friends of Mt. Tabor Park. And the school serves kids who struggle with traditional classroom learning; many families say it’s why they stayed in Portland schools.
Sunnyside families are asking PPS to slow down and make a plan that works for students, families and neighborhoods. Neighbors can learn more and sign the school’s community letter at save.sesptsa.org, and share your views with the school board before December.