Benson Polytechnic High School, public high school in Portland, Oregon, United States
Benson Polytechnic High School is a school in Portland, Oregon, that focuses on technical training and practical skills across multiple trades. The campus features several buildings with modern workshops, laboratories, and classrooms dedicated to woodworking, metalworking, robotics, healthcare, dentistry, and computer science.
The school was founded in 1917 after benefactor Simon Benson provided funding for its establishment, building on the Portland School of Trades that began in 1908. During World War I and II, students supported national efforts, and the school operated one of the country's first school radio stations, KBPS, which still broadcasts today run by current students.
The school is named after benefactor Simon Benson and reflects its roots in craft traditions passed down through generations. Students wear the school colors of orange and blue with pride and identify with the Astros mascot, expressing the school's connection to innovation and forward-thinking values.
The school is located in Northeast Portland and is easily accessible by public transportation. Visitors can attend events like the Tech Show, where students showcase their projects and skills in an open format for the community.
A special feature is the cafeteria staircase, large enough to serve as a lecture hall and topped with a piece of the original gym floor bearing the Benson Tech logo. Every year, students build a complete house as part of a school project, something visitors can observe on campus and which shows how hands-on construction is woven into daily school life.
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