Portland Public Schools (PPS) is considering removing “dual assignment zones,” areas in the Jefferson High School boundaries where students can also choose to attend Grant High School, McDaniel High School or Roosevelt High School. Additionally, it is exploring the idea of directing more school feeder programs to Jefferson. The district will remodel the school in accordance with PPS’ voter-approved May 2025 bond.

These changes would be expected to roll out in the 2027-28 school year, with Grant’s overcrowding issue predicted to ease around the same time.

While Jefferson’s dual assignment zone has given families more choice over which high school their children attend, it has led to an immensely disproportionate distribution of students across the district: Fewer than 500 students currently attend Jefferson, while over 2,100 attend Grant.

Grant has faced overcrowding issues for years. Currently, the school’s population is around 400 students over its 1,700 student carrying capacity. This has resulted in an increased workload for teachers and, for some, a lessened connection to their students.

PPS estimates that, by removing dual assignment zones, Grant’s student population will decrease by as much as 918 students by the 2030-31 school year — well below the school’s carrying capacity. Though the reduction of school choice could be disheartening to some, the change could also have some major benefits.

With this proposal, not only could Grant take on a more manageable load, but other schools would have a more evenly distributed number of students. Jefferson’s low student population discourages PPS from funding its higher-level elective classes; an increased population could result in a greater number of advanced electives for the school.

“Now,” PPS says on its website, “it’s Jefferson’s turn to rise.”