In the 19th and early 20th century, many Multnomah County towns and neighborhoods were established without public schools -- they were built later, when community pressure demanded it. For example, Portland was incorporated in 1851, but the city’s first public school didn’t open until 1852. Most schools were in one-school districts at first. These small districts consolidated over the years.

School district boundaries are important to students, parents and educators. Because schools are community institutions, they help define neighborhoods. This means that school district maps can be useful as guidelines for urban planners and neighborhood activists.

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