Hillsboro School District
Hillsboro School District
Introduction
Hillsboro School District is one of Oregon's largest public school districts and an important educational institution in the Portland metropolitan region. Located primarily in and around Hillsboro, Washington County, the district serves a diverse population of students across several communities in northwest Oregon.
As of October 1, 2025, Hillsboro School District reported 19,038 students and 35 traditional schools, along with two alternative options: Hillsboro Online Academy and Oak Street Campus. The district describes itself as the fourth-largest of Oregon's 198 school districts. Its service area includes portions of Aloha, Beaverton, Cornelius, Hillsboro, North Plains, Portland, and Sherwood.
Hillsboro is particularly notable for its diversity. Students in the district represent 95 countries of origin, and approximately 52% of students speak a language other than English at home. The district also reports 3,653 students enrolled in dual-language programs, making multilingual education a major component of its educational system.
The district's current strategic plan covers 2023–2027 and focuses on maximizing the student experience and ensuring that students graduate prepared for college, careers, and civic life.
1. Location and Community
Hillsboro School District is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, in Washington County. Hillsboro is one of the major communities in the Portland metropolitan area and is known for its technology, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, business, and professional-service sectors.
The district's geographic footprint extends beyond the City of Hillsboro itself. It serves portions of seven communities: Aloha, Beaverton, Cornelius, Hillsboro, North Plains, Portland, and Sherwood.
This broad service area means that students come from different types of neighborhoods and communities.
Hillsboro itself has developed into an important economic center in Oregon. The area has attracted major technology and manufacturing employers, while also maintaining connections to agriculture and the broader Willamette Valley.
For families, the combination of a metropolitan location, diverse population, and substantial public-school system makes Hillsboro an important educational option in the Portland region.
2. Size of the District
Hillsboro School District serves approximately 19,000 students.
Its January 2026 facts and figures report:
- 19,038 students as of October 1, 2025;
- 35 traditional schools;
- 2 alternative options;
- 2,621 employees;
- 2,126 full-time-equivalent employees;
- 199 school buses;
- 3,281,988 square feet of facilities;
- 590 developed acres; and
- 145 acres reserved for future school sites.
The district's scale is large enough to support a broad range of educational programs while remaining considerably smaller than Oregon's three largest districts: Portland Public Schools, Salem-Keizer, and Beaverton.
This places Hillsboro in an interesting position. It has the resources of a major district but may also be able to maintain somewhat closer community connections than the state's very largest systems.
3. Elementary Education
Elementary schools provide the foundation of the Hillsboro educational system.
At the elementary level, students develop fundamental skills in:
- Reading;
- Writing;
- Mathematics;
- Science;
- Social studies;
- Arts;
- Physical education;
- Technology; and
- Social and emotional development.
The district's approach emphasizes student achievement while recognizing that students require different types of support.
Hillsboro also places substantial importance on language development and early academic intervention.
The district's multilingual population means that elementary schools often serve students who are developing English while simultaneously learning grade-level academic material.
This makes language-support programs an important component of the elementary-school experience.
4. Middle School Education: Hillsboro School District
Middle school is a critical transition between elementary education and high school.
Students begin taking more specialized courses while becoming increasingly responsible for their own academic performance.
Middle-school education generally includes core subjects such as:
- English language arts;
- Mathematics;
- Science;
- Social studies;
- Physical education; and
- Electives.
Students may also participate in music, visual arts, technology, athletics, clubs, and other activities.
The middle-school years are particularly important for preparing students for high school graduation requirements.
Academic intervention during this period can also help prevent students from falling significantly behind before entering high school.
5. High School Education
Hillsboro School District operates several comprehensive high schools serving students throughout the district.
The district's major high-school programs include schools such as Century High School, Glencoe High School, Hillsboro High School, and Liberty High School, alongside alternative educational opportunities.
High schools provide students with multiple pathways toward graduation and postsecondary success.
Students can prepare for:
- Four-year universities;
- Community colleges;
- Technical colleges;
- Career and technical education;
- Apprenticeships;
- Employment;
- Military service; and
- Other postsecondary opportunities.
The district's strategic plan specifically identifies graduation and preparation for college, career, and civic life as central objectives.
6. Graduation and Student Achievement: Hillsboro School District
Student achievement is at the center of Hillsboro's strategic planning.
The district's stated goal is to ensure that students have access to highly trained staff, strong academic programs, support services, and extracurricular opportunities that help them reach their potential.
For the 2024–2025 school year, Hillsboro reported a 90.40% four-year graduation rate and a 1.30% dropout rate.
These figures indicate that the large majority of students complete high school within four years.
The district also tracks more advanced indicators of college readiness.
Its reported data indicate that 50.63% of students earned at least one AP or IB credit by the end of 11th grade, based on 2021–2022 data. Approximately 42.46% earned two or more AP/IB credits by the end of 12th grade.
These programs provide students with opportunities to take challenging courses and potentially earn college credit.
7. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
Advanced academic coursework is an important part of Hillsboro's high-school system.
AP and IB courses can give students exposure to college-level academic expectations before graduation.
These programs can benefit students who intend to attend universities because they can develop:
- Advanced analytical skills;
- Research abilities;
- Academic writing;
- Independent study habits;
- Critical thinking; and
- Time-management skills.
Students who successfully earn college credit through these programs may also reduce the number of introductory courses they need to take after entering college.
The district's participation rates indicate that advanced coursework is an important component of its college-preparation strategy.
8. Career and Technical Education: Hillsboro School District
Career and Technical Education, commonly called CTE, is another important feature of Hillsboro School District.
CTE allows students to develop practical knowledge and skills while completing their secondary education.
Programs can connect classroom learning with real-world careers in areas such as:
- Technology;
- Engineering;
- Manufacturing;
- Healthcare;
- Business;
- Construction;
- Design;
- Agriculture;
- Culinary fields; and
- Other technical occupations.
Hillsboro's location in a major technology and manufacturing region makes career education particularly relevant.
Students can explore careers while still in high school and gain practical experience that can help them transition into employment, apprenticeships, technical education, or college.
The district's strategic plan specifically emphasizes preparing students for both careers and college.
9. Dual-Language Education
One of Hillsboro School District's strongest distinguishing characteristics is its dual-language education program.
The district reports 3,653 students enrolled in dual-language programs.
Dual-language education provides instruction in two languages, typically combining English with another language.
These programs can provide several advantages.
Students can develop stronger bilingual abilities while also studying the standard academic curriculum.
For students whose home language is not English, dual-language education can help preserve their linguistic and cultural connection while supporting English development.
For English-speaking students, learning another language can provide valuable academic, cultural, and professional skills.
Hillsboro's significant multilingual population makes these programs particularly important.
10. Multilingual Community
Hillsboro School District describes itself as a diverse school system, with students representing 95 countries of origin. Approximately 52% of students speak a language other than English at home.
This creates a unique educational environment.
Schools must provide appropriate support for English learners while ensuring that students continue to make progress in mathematics, science, reading, and other subjects.
At the same time, linguistic diversity can enrich the school environment.
Students have opportunities to interact with peers from different cultures and develop greater awareness of the world beyond their immediate community.
For international families, this can make the transition into an American school system easier because students may encounter classmates and families with similar international backgrounds.
11. Alternative Education: Hillsboro School District
Hillsboro School District provides alternative educational options for students who may benefit from an approach different from the traditional school model.
Two notable alternatives are Hillsboro Online Academy and Oak Street Campus.
Online education can provide greater flexibility for students who cannot participate easily in a conventional classroom schedule.
Alternative campuses can provide different instructional approaches and additional support for students with particular academic or personal circumstances.
The existence of these programs reflects the district's effort to provide multiple pathways toward graduation rather than relying on a single educational model.
12. Special Education
Special education is an important part of the district's student-support system.
Hillsboro reported approximately 2,737 students receiving special education services as of its 2026 facts-and-figures report.
Special education programs support students with a wide range of disabilities and educational needs.
Services may include specialized instruction, accommodations, individualized educational planning, speech and language support, behavioral services, occupational or physical therapy, and other assistance.
The district's strategic priorities emphasize ensuring that students receive the support necessary to reach their educational potential.
Providing these services is both an educational responsibility and a significant financial commitment.
13. Talented and Gifted Education
Hillsboro also provides services for students identified as talented and gifted, commonly referred to as TAG.
The district reports approximately 1,906 students receiving TAG services.
TAG services can provide students with opportunities for advanced academic work, enrichment, differentiated instruction, and additional challenges.
This is important because highly capable students can also become disengaged if the curriculum does not provide sufficient intellectual challenge.
A comprehensive school district therefore needs to support students across the full range of academic abilities.
14. Student Support and Summer Programs
Hillsboro provides additional academic support outside the regular school year.
A state report concerning Hillsboro's 2024 summer programs documented initiatives involving high-school credit attainment, bilingual education, mental-health supports, work-based learning, and CTE camps.
One summer initiative served 859 students and resulted in 636.5 credits earned through 1,277 completed courses.
Programs of this type can be particularly valuable for students who have fallen behind in core subjects or who need additional credits to remain on track for graduation.
Summer programs can also provide students with career exposure and additional educational opportunities.
15. Mental Health and Student Well-Being
Student well-being has become increasingly important in public education.
Hillsboro's summer programming has included mental-health supports, demonstrating that the district recognizes the connection between student well-being and academic achievement.
Mental-health support can include counseling, social-emotional learning, behavioral interventions, and connections to community resources.
Students facing anxiety, depression, family difficulties, housing instability, or other challenges may struggle academically without appropriate support.
A modern school district therefore has to address both academic and non-academic factors affecting student success.
16. Transportation: Hillsboro School District
Hillsboro operates a substantial transportation system.
The district reports:
- 199 school buses;
- Approximately 11,336 average daily student riders; and
- Approximately 11,111 miles traveled daily by buses.
Transportation is essential for students living far from their assigned schools and for students attending specialized programs.
Operating a large bus fleet is also a major financial and logistical responsibility.
The district must maintain vehicles, employ drivers, manage routes, and ensure student safety while controlling fuel and maintenance costs.
17. Facilities
Hillsboro School District maintains approximately 3.28 million square feet of facilities across its system. It also reports 590 developed acres and another 145 acres for future school sites.
Maintaining this infrastructure requires substantial investment.
School buildings require ongoing attention to:
- Roofs;
- Heating and cooling;
- Electrical systems;
- Plumbing;
- Security;
- Accessibility;
- Technology;
- Classrooms;
- Laboratories;
- Athletic facilities; and
- General maintenance.
The district is also considering substantial capital investment through its proposed 2026 bond program.
The district has explained that Oregon does not provide direct state funding for major school construction and renovation, meaning communities generally rely on voter-approved general-obligation bonds for major capital projects.
18. Proposed Capital Investment
Hillsboro has identified a need for major long-term facilities investment.
District materials describe a proposed $430 million bond intended to address construction, modernization, and preservation needs.
The proposal is notable because the district is simultaneously dealing with declining enrollment and financial pressure.
However, enrollment decline does not necessarily eliminate the need for capital investment.
School buildings can age even when student numbers decrease.
Modernization can also improve safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, technology infrastructure, and educational quality.
The district therefore has to balance two different questions: how many students it expects to serve and what facilities are necessary to provide appropriate education to those students.
19. Financial Situation
Like many Oregon school districts, Hillsboro is currently experiencing significant financial pressure.
The district's 2025–2026 operating budget was approximately $299.7 million, while its total budget across all funds was approximately $445.8 million.
Approximately 57.9% of the operating budget was allocated to instruction, while approximately 38.0% was allocated to support services.
Staff salaries and benefits represented approximately 80.8% of the operating budget.
These figures illustrate an important reality of public education: most school-district spending is directly or indirectly connected to people.
Teachers, counselors, administrators, special-education professionals, transportation workers, maintenance employees, and other staff are necessary to operate schools.
Consequently, significant reductions in expenditures can have direct consequences for staffing.
20. Budget Deficit
Hillsboro has faced a substantial structural budget challenge.
For the 2025–2026 school year, the district reported a projected $20 million shortfall and developed a series of strategies to reduce expenses.
The district explains that the fundamental issue is a structural deficit in which expenditures are growing faster than revenues.
According to district budget information, the State School Fund allocation increased approximately 11% for the 2025–2027 biennium, while Hillsboro's expenses increased approximately 18%.
This difference creates pressure even when state education funding itself increases.
Inflation, employee compensation, healthcare costs, transportation, utilities, special education, and other expenses can rise faster than revenue.
21. Enrollment and Financial Pressure: Hillsboro School District
Declining enrollment is an additional challenge.
When the number of students decreases, school districts generally receive less funding.
However, costs do not necessarily fall at the same rate.
A school building still requires heating, maintenance, security, technology, and administration even if several classrooms become less full.
The district has therefore had to examine staffing, transportation, departmental budgets, and other expenses.
Hillsboro's budget materials describe declining enrollment as one factor contributing to the current financial situation.
This challenge is likely to remain important in future budget decisions.
22. State Funding
Oregon's public-school funding system relies heavily on the State School Fund.
Hillsboro reported approximately $149.4 million in State School Fund revenue in its 2025–2026 budget. It also reported approximately $105.7 million from the local tax levy.
The district closely monitors state revenue forecasts because changes in state funding directly affect its ability to maintain staffing and programs.
The district has also advocated for stable and adequate state funding and for reducing unfunded mandates.
Its budget materials note that districts face difficulty when new obligations or increased costs are not accompanied by sufficient additional funding.
23. Teachers and Employees
Hillsboro School District employed approximately 2,621 people in 2025–2026, representing approximately 2,126 full-time-equivalent positions.
The workforce includes:
- Licensed teachers;
- Instructional assistants;
- Administrators;
- Counselors;
- Special-education personnel;
- Transportation employees;
- Maintenance workers;
- Food-service staff;
- Technology professionals; and
- Administrative and support personnel.
The district reported 1,218 licensed employees and 1,272 classified employees, in addition to administrative, supervisory, and technical personnel.
Recruiting and retaining qualified employees is therefore critical to educational quality.
24. Strategic Plan 2023–2027
Hillsboro's current strategic plan covers the period from 2023 through 2027.
The plan was developed through a months-long process beginning in August 2022 and concluding in March 2023. Thousands of students, staff members, families, and community members participated through focus groups, surveys, planning teams, and community forums.
The strategic plan emphasizes:
- Knowing students;
- Valuing students;
- Empowering students;
- Student achievement;
- Equity;
- College and career readiness;
- Civic preparation; and
- A strong overall student experience.
The district describes the plan as a roadmap for aligning resources and efforts around a common student-centered outcome.
25. College and Career Readiness
College and career readiness is one of Hillsboro's central educational goals.
The district's strategic plan explicitly states that it wants all students to graduate with skills that prepare them for postsecondary education and civic life.
The district supports this objective through:
- AP and IB coursework;
- Dual credit;
- Career and technical education;
- Dual-language education;
- Alternative programs;
- Work-based learning;
- Summer credit recovery;
- College counseling; and
- Extracurricular opportunities.
The district reported 813 students earning dual credit in its 2021–2022 data, with an estimated $811,397 in college expenses saved through those credits.
This demonstrates the potential financial benefit of dual-credit opportunities for students and families.
26. Community Diversity as a Strength
Hillsboro's cultural diversity is one of its greatest strengths.
Students from 95 countries of origin attend district schools, and more than half of students speak a language other than English at home.
This creates a genuinely international school environment.
Students can develop:
- Cultural awareness;
- Communication skills;
- Cross-cultural understanding;
- Language abilities; and
- Global perspectives.
For international students, the environment may be particularly beneficial because they are less likely to be isolated as the only student from another country or cultural background.
27. Challenges Going Forward
Hillsboro School District faces several major challenges over the coming years.
Financial sustainability
The district must manage the gap between rising expenses and available revenue.
Enrollment
Declining enrollment can reduce state funding while leaving many fixed costs unchanged.
Staffing
Budget reductions can affect class sizes, programs, and employee workloads.
Special education
Providing high-quality services to thousands of students with disabilities is both educationally important and financially demanding.
Facilities
The district must maintain aging buildings while considering new construction and modernization.
Equity
Resources must be distributed fairly among schools serving students with different needs.
Multilingual education
The district must continue supporting a large population of English learners while maintaining strong academic outcomes.
28. Overall Assessment
Hillsboro School District has several characteristics that distinguish it from many other Oregon school systems.
First, it is large enough to provide extensive educational options while remaining smaller than Oregon's three largest districts.
Second, it has a particularly diverse student population, with 95 countries of origin represented and 52% of students speaking a language other than English at home.
Third, it provides a strong combination of college preparation and career preparation.
AP, IB, dual-credit, CTE, work-based learning, and alternative education give students multiple pathways toward their future.
Fourth, the district has a significant commitment to dual-language education, with more than 3,600 students participating.
Finally, the district has a clearly articulated strategic plan focused on student achievement and preparing students for life after high school.
Conclusion
Hillsboro School District is a major public education system in Oregon, serving approximately 19,038 students across 35 traditional schools and two alternative programs. It serves communities across the western Portland metropolitan region and has developed a reputation for educational diversity, multilingual programming, career preparation, and broad student support.
Its student population is particularly diverse, with students representing 95 countries of origin and approximately 52% speaking a language other than English at home. The district's 3,653-student dual-language program is an important response to that diversity.
Academically, the district combines traditional college-preparatory programs with AP, IB, dual credit, career and technical education, work-based learning, alternative education, and specialized support programs. Its 90.4% four-year graduation rate demonstrates strong overall completion performance.
The district's financial situation, however, presents a substantial challenge. Its 2025–2026 operating budget was approximately $299.7 million, and the district faced a projected $20 million shortfall. Rising costs, declining enrollment, staffing expenses, and the difference between revenue growth and expenditure growth are creating pressure for future budgets.
At the same time, Hillsboro is considering significant investment in school facilities, including a proposed $430 million capital bond, while recognizing that Oregon places much of the responsibility for school construction and modernization on local communities.
Overall, Hillsboro School District offers a diverse, comprehensive, and internationally oriented public-school environment. Its combination of academic programs, career preparation, dual-language education, special education, advanced coursework, alternative learning, and community engagement makes it an important educational option in the Portland metropolitan area.
Its principal challenge will be maintaining this breadth and quality of programming while responding responsibly to declining enrollment and long-term financial pressures. The success of its 2023–2027 strategic plan will depend on how effectively the district balances these competing priorities while continuing to ensure that students are known, valued, supported, and prepared for college, careers, and civic life.
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