Primerly field report

Helensview School (MESD)

a tuition-free public alternative program in Portland

6–12 · Public · Alternative · Multnomah Education Service District (MESD)

8678 NE Sumner St, Portland · Dan Cohnstaedt (Principal)

MESD-run accredited alternative program (ages 12–21; roughly grades 6–12) focused on re-engaging students who’ve left school or had significant attendance/behavior barriers. Instruction is individualized, with personalized learning plans, flexible scheduling, and culturally responsive teaching.

Students can earn a standard Oregon diploma and access dual-credit coursework on campus plus Career & Technical Education in culinary, manufacturing, woodworking, bicycle mechanics, screen printing, recording arts, Early Childhood Education, CNA, and more.

Wraparound supports are extensive: on-site childcare and early intervention for pregnant/parenting youth, a Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, on-site nurse, and mental-health/substance-use services. Older students (18–21) can join the FUTURES program for job training and transition to college or work, and staff coordinate job shadows, internships, and service learning.

Families often mention the benefit of one-on-one teaching, frequent conferencing, mentoring, and a school culture that meets students where they are.

Tuition: Tuition-Free Public

Address: 8678 NE Sumner St, Portland, OR 97220. Phone: (503) 262-4150. Website: helensview.multnomahesd.org.

All Portland-area schools on Primerly

Test rows
The Primerly field report · ✓ school-verified · {{ sc.city }}

{{ sc.name }}

{{ sc.slugPre }}{{ sc.slugEm }}
{{ sc.metaType }}
{{ sc.metaLine }} · {{ sc.siteLabel }}
“{{ sc.quote }}”
{{ saveLabel }} {{ cmpLabel }} print
{{ v.num }}
{{ v.lbl }}
{{ vNote }}
Your margin Sign in to save this school and keep notes here, shared with a co-parent.
Your margin
✓ saved
save this school
{{ n.text }} · {{ n.by }}, {{ n.when }}
{{ shortNm }}
see them side by side
Saved here for now. Sign in and it follows you, with room for notes from a co-parent or collaborator.
PPS rightsizing · a proposal, not a decision

{{ rz.lede }} {{ rz.boardLine }}

{{ c.head }}{{ c.label }}{{ c.more }}

{{ g.when }}. {{ g.text }}

Next PPS date: {{ rz.next }}Every school and date{{ rz.srcLabel }}Checked {{ rz.checked }}

The basics

{{ sc.dropCap }}{{ sc.overviewFirst }}

{{ p }}
{{ sc.timely }}

A day here

The schedule
{{ sc.day.schedule }}
Before & after school
{{ sc.day.care }}
{{ s.body }}

The campus

{{ p }}
{{ c.label }}
{{ sc.campus.aside }}
0 · lower risk10 · highest risk
campus average {{ sc.seismic.avg }}most at-risk building {{ sc.seismic.max }}
{{ t.big }}
{{ t.small }}

{{ p }}
worth asking about on the tour
{{ sc.seismic.source }}

Who goes here
{{ g.pct }} {{ g.label }}
{{ f.big }} {{ f.small }}
{{ sc.who.noBandNote }}
{{ sc.who.demoNote }}
Academic performance{{ scores.line }}
{{ t.big }}{{ t.small }}
{{ scores.note }}
Academic performance
{{ sc.who.assessment }}
{{ t.big }}
{{ t.small }}
{{ sc.who.rankLine }}
{{ sc.who.rankNote }}
{{ sc.who.feedback }}

Where they go next

{{ sc.after.prose }}
{{ sc.after.bigLine }}
▸
{{ st.t }}
{{ st.s }}
{{ o.label }}
{{ o.pct }} Oregon {{ o.orPct }}
Oregon average, same source.
Worth asking on the tour
▸{{ q }}
{{ sc.after.aside }}

The support

{{ t.big }}
{{ t.small }}
{{ sc.support.note }}
{{ s.body }}

Getting in

▸
{{ st.n }}
{{ st.text }}
Your odds in the lottery

Seats here aren’t first-come; they’re drawn by lottery. Each circle below is a tenth of the families who applied over the last two springs and stayed in the running (didn’t take a higher-ranked school). Filled circles got a yes.

{{ l.text }}
but it depends who you are
{{ p.label }} {{ p.pct }}
{{ oddsSrcCaret }} where these numbers come from

Official PPS lottery results, 2025-26 & 2026-27 combined: offers made ÷ families still in the running (offered + waitlisted); applications cancelled for a higher-ranked school excluded. pps.net › prior transfer data. Slots reset every year.
{{ r.k }}{{ r.v }}
Tuition
{{ sc.adm.tuitionLine }}
Visit the school site {{ sc.adm.cta2Label }}