High School
Preparation
Cedarwood students have gone on to attend almost every public, private, and charter high school in Portland.
A lot happens in the fall and winter for 8th graders and their families! Here are a few things to keep in mind in preparing for your student’s transition to high school:
Cedarwood hosts a High School Info Night each fall
Local high schools host open houses and other visiting opportunities for incoming first year students in October, November, December, and January. A few have late spring opportunities. Please find a detailed list of open house opportunities below.
If your student plans to attend their local public high school, please plan to contact the school about registration & course selection in mid to late January. You’ll find this on the high school website, often listed under “8th Grade Forecasting”. Find your local public high school here.
The lotteries for Benson, Jefferson, and Metropolitan Learning Center are usually held in November/December.
Please confirm your family’s final high school application choices to Cedarwood by December 19, 2025 (we’ll send a reminder!)
Applications to local independent and private high schools are due in January and February of the 8th-grade year. The deadline for the student’s application is generally different from the deadline for academic records from the schools. Cedarwood sends student records to high schools after the mid-year reports are ready.
If you are applying for a scholarship or if you are applying to a school with a very different deadline for academic records and recommendations, please let us know as soon as you can.
Important Dates to Keep in Mind
Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT): The SSAT is available in-person at Oregon Episcopal School or online. Information and dates for the standard paper SSAT can be found here.
High School Placement Test (HSPT): Portland area Catholic high schools are offering the HSPT in-person in early December.
Open Houses
This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides a good start! It’s always a good idea to double check the school’s website for any last minute changes or updates to events.
Jesuit High School: Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1-5pm
Central Catholic High School: Sunday, October 19, 2025, 1-4pm
Oregon Episcopal School: Sunday, October 19, 2025, 1-4pm
Catlin Gabel: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1-4pm
St. Mary's Academy: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1-4pm
Valley Catholic High School: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1-4pm
Pacific Crest Community School: TBA
Portland Waldorf High School: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 12-2pm
Northwest Academy: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 2-4pm
Metropolitan Learning Center: TBA
Grant High School: TBA
Lincoln High School: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 6-8pm
Milwaukie Academy of the Arts: Open House: TBA
Edison High School: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10am-1pm
Portland Public Schools Resources
Please check your local public high school or public magnet program’s website for 8th grade forecasting & registration details. These will be available by early winter.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School Guardian Showcase (Open House)
Tuesday, December 9, 6-8pm
Cleveland High School 8th Grade Family Night
December 4th, 2025 at 6:30pm
Grant High School 8th Grade Information Night
Wednesday, December 10th, 6pm
Lincoln High School
New to PPS Student Open House Tuesday, October 14th
PPS Student Open House, December 10th
McDaniel High School
Nov. 19, 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
PPS Focus Option High Schools Lottery
2026-27 High School Lottery Window: November 12, 2025 - December 12, 2025
Dates tentative. Subject to change.
Students from across Portland Public Schools can apply to lottery slots at our three focus option high schools:
Benson Polytechnic High School - Open House 11/20
Jefferson High School-Middle College for Advanced Studies - Open House 11/4
Metropolitan Learning Center - Open House 11/17
Learn more: Application and other information
Which High Schools in PPS offer which Hands-On Career & Technical Education Programs? (Hint: it's more than the one you're thinking of)
Within District Transfer by Petition Process
InterDistrict Transfer Process (e.g. transferring into/out of PPS from/to another district)
Teacher Recommendations
Please keep in mind that most schools with an application process require teacher recommendations. When requesting teacher recommendations, please provide advance notice to give our teachers enough time to write an excellent letter on behalf of your child. These requests are made through the high school’s application portal.
Since most independent schools require recommendations from your daily lesson teacher, math teacher, and another leader or teacher at the school, in addition to school records, we will track those recommendations to ensure the deadlines are met.
The email addresses you will need when submitting requests for records or recommendations are:
Natalie Norman, Class of 2026 Teacher: nnorman@cedarwoodschool.org
Jacob Wooton, Math Teacher: jwooton@cedarwoodschool.org
Joseph Doucette, Head of School: jdoucette@cedarwoodschool.org
Antonella Focarino, Director of Enrollment & Outreach: afocarino@cedarwoodschool.org