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:

  • 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 20, 2024 (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. In-person dates are November 9 & December 7 (Winter Faire).

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: October 6, 2024

Central Catholic High School: October 13, 2024

Oregon Episcopal School: October 20, 2024

Catlin Gabel: October 27, 2024

St. Mary's Academy: October 27, 2024, 1-4pm

Valley Catholic High School: October 25, 2024, 1-4pm

Pacific Crest Community School: TBA

Portland Waldorf High School: November 2, 2024, 11am-2pm

Riverdale High School: shadow days available

Northwest Academy: October 26, 2024, 2-4pm

Metropolitan Learning Center: How to enroll

Jefferson High School: TBA

Grant High School: TBA

Cleveland High School: Bridging the Gap, December 5, 6-8:30pm

Lincoln High School: October 22, 2024, 6-8pm

Ida B Wells High School: TBA

Milwaukie Academy of the Arts: Open House: TBA

Edison High School: November 16, 2024

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.

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:

Jessica Goodwyn, Class of 2025 Teacher: jgoodwyn@cedarwoodschool.org

Jacob Wooton, Math Teacher: jwooton@cedarwoodschool.org

Joseph Doucette, Head of School: jdoucette@cedarwoodschool.org

Antonella Focarino, Director of Enrollment Management: afocarino@cedarwoodschool.org