Benson Polytechnic High School's 92nd annual open house — featuring pig dissections, airbag explosions, Model T rides and live radio broadcasting — gives prospective students and families a close look at the focus school.

Jefferson High School – Middle College for Advanced Studies’ bridge to college has grown wider, with Oregon State University, Portland State University and Warner Pacific College joining the University of Oregon in offering robust scholarship opportunities to graduates.

Since last June, school district leaders have been meeting with opponents and supporters of the May 2011 proposed school bond, taking feedback on how that proposal could have been improved and what steps Portland Public Schools should take in the future.

The feedback they have received to date has been summarized in a report [read report]. Superintendent Carole Smith and Portland School Board members will continue to listen to input as they consider how to upgrade PPS’ school buildings.

Seniors Tyra Poston of Cleveland High School and Orlando Cardenas of Roosevelt High School can say why Portland Public Schools saw a 5-point gain in its ontime graduation rate last year: their parents’ expectations, and programs and approaches that supported them to remain — or get back on — track.