I would strongly recommend that families consider other options until there is new leadership at…read morethis school. During our experience, school administration provided inaccurate or misleading information during the enrollment process. This included representations about the gender composition of incoming classes and the grade levels typically offered. Although the school is listed as serving K-8, enrollment has not historically supported consistent offerings across the upper grades. The school also lacks adequate training, policies, and structural support for a diversity of learners. Families whose children require accommodations or flexibility--including those supported by physician documentation--may find that exceptions to stated policies are not respected, even when based on medical need. Overall, the gap between how the school presents itself and the day-to-day reality was significant. In our experience, this environment was far less supportive and far more rigid than local public school options, including Portland Public Schools.

When I first drove by this odd little building across from Montgomery Park, I never would have…read moreguessed that one day it would become like a second home for our family. I can't say enough good things about the teachers, staff and families that make up the CLASS community. The small, age-blended classes allow the teachers and staff to truly understand and cater to the needs of each student. More importantly, the teachers and staff truly care about each student and are highly dedicated to their success. I'm truly amazed at the job they have done fostering our son's emotional and academic development. They've helped instill a sense of confidence in him that I never thought would be possible. Most parents are also very involved in the school (and several of the teachers/staff have kids at the school) which helps create a true sense of community. As the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child" and our family is extremely grateful that our village is the CLASS Academy community.

Ren is a wonderful school that emphasizes individualized learning, social emotional learning, and a…read morehands on experience.

My updated review reflects our family's experience at Ren from grades 1-8. Our child is now a…read moreFreshman at St Mary's Academy and is on the honor roll despite having some learning differences. Ren prepared our daughter for a rigorous college prep program. Although she had some nervousness about final exams and needed a primer on letter grades and GPA, she was academically well-prepared. The girls who attend St Mary's after Ren School seem to excel. Most importantly, Ren was instrumental in helping my daughter develop a strong sense of herself. Ren's holistic approach to education, with a focus on social and emotional development, is stellar. It mattered to me that our daughter's education encompassed far more than just book learning. Over the years, she was nurtured and went from a timid and anxious child to a confident and creative young woman. As a college professor, I recognize the importance of academic preparedness. I also know that social and emotional stressors can make it challenging to learn. Being in a safe community where she was known and cared for by all the teachers meant the world to our family. Thank you, Ren!

This preschool is outstanding. The classroom is a beautiful space filled with fun and creative…read moreoptions for learning. The teaching staff is highly experienced, compassionate and fun. They do an amazing job combining hands-on play with structured activities throughout the day, with lots of opportunities to develop social skills and school readiness. Also, the families who attend the school are a close-knit and supportive community. The hours are convenient and flexible (offering both whole and half-day options and full and part-time options) and the price is very reasonable. The preschool is also connected to a public charter school that is open to all PPS students, which is especially convenient for those with school-aged children who would prefer one location for pick-up/drop-off. My child has been attending Trillium preschool for two years and absolutely loves it. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Our family has been with Trillium Preschool for four years, and we'll be sad to leave this sweet,…read morecreative, fun, inspiring, supportive little preschool program in 2018. A wonderful little school for youngsters to get their feet wet in school, pick up important social skills, make art, do messy science, and explore their growing world.

Absolutely supportive staff and a real passion to educate children. Parents are involved in all…read morefundraisers.

Years ago, I had a young daughter in this school. Some staff treated her terribly because my…read moredaughters step mom was friends with them. This included suggesting I don't bring my child her lunch when she forgot it it so she'd "remember it next time." My child was in 3rd grade. This school is pretentious, judgemental and condones mean girl behavior among the adults. Worst school my daughter ever went to.

I had a job interview here today, 1/16/2025. Something embarrassing and serious came up, and I…read morecould not make my interview. I emailed the owner to let her know. She called me anyway asking where I was, and so I told her again, and she was so rude and hurtful it actually made me angry. She basically hung up on me and didn't say one word about whether or not I could reapply. Lady, why are so rude? You'd think working around children, you'd be kind, but it's just a BUSINESS for you people. I wouldn't take my kid here if someone paid me - get some respect and compassion in your brains and hearts, businesspeople.

Edit: the sudden influx of multiple 5 star reviews on Google that appeared after my review are from…read morethe employees & not an accurate representation of reality. If anyone reading this would like to see my receipts of the unprofessionalism, blatant negligence surrounding my honest concerns or the punitive cruelty shown to my family for reporting abuse by their newest staff member, I can be reached at PurpleNurse527@gmail.com. Original: My son has been a student at OCA for over a year without issue. I never had a single concern or complaint. I loved & trusted them completely. Things took a turn for the worst when a new teacher (Tosha) joined the school & I personally witnessed her verbally assault two 2 year old girls in the wobbler/toddler room. Full-blown shouting at them to not touch her shoes, scaring them. Once she realized that I'd witnessed this, the entire tone of her voice changed to baby talk & she began to panic/over-compensate about "how great" of a day my son had with her. Suddenly, she was over-the-top nice to me, added me on FB & would send me constant messages while working through FB messenger including photos of my child on her Snapchat despite the school using an app to communicate with parents. My son suddenly became obsessed with my phone & I began to witness behavior changes such as hitting his head out of frustration & an uptick in tantrums. Some in-house drama between Tosha & another employee started up & around this same time, my son was bitten by another child (not a big deal, it happens and I was not upset), but I was hearing unwarranted & drastically different versions of what happened in this instance between Tosha & other team members which made me nervous and weary of being dragged into their already-established drama. Ultimately, Tosha became personally offended by my positive relationships with the other staff members whom I'd grown close with over the past year. She decided to delete me off of Facebook as a result of my indifference to the "he said she said" regarding my son's bite & my reluctance to embrace her version/sing her praises. She began ignoring me completely when I would pick up & drop my son off at school. This toxic behavior continued without correction and eventually bubbled over. On 05/22/23, I witnessed her screaming at the preschool children outside after she had ignored me during pickup once again. I was connected with offsite leadership who did nothing but gaslight me & essentially make clear that they're going to continue to allow an abusive teacher to remain at the school because of desperation/staffing shortages under the guise of "an investigation." My concerns about dropping my son off with a teacher whom I've witnessed be abusive on two separate occasions that may or may not have an issue with me for no reason were downplayed & I was essentially put in a position to either 1) deal with it or 2) leave. Leadership tried to diffuse the situation by remaining diplomatic at surface level but no tangible solution was presented to me at any point despite my positive relationship with the school & the validity of my concerns. Ultimately, I was given no choice but to withdraw my child. The relationship & stability that I have worked so hard to nurture & cultivate for my son have been taken away from me because in reality, it's easier to find a new student than it is to find a new teacher. This experience has been traumatic & it will take me a long time to recover from the cruelty shown to me and my son by the employees at OCA. I do not recommend this center unless you are OK with paying close to 2k/month for abusive staff, passive leadership, miscommunication, high staff turnover and a whole bunch of high school drama. This has been an experience from hell & I hope that no other person or child is exposed to abuse that's rug swept by the same people that I've trusted and treated as family for the past year. I have nothing positive to say about OCA and I will be forever disgusted by the way that my family was treated for telling the truth. -Alex and Miles

Our family was new to Columbia this year and we were welcomed with open arms, smiles and an…read moreauthentic curiosity about how Columbia could serve our family best. I find the teachers to be personal, professional and truly strive to understand each student individually. Columbia has supported my kids in a transition year and has help them each find their "thing" that lights them up and gets them excited about coming to school. Columbia Christian has also helped support some of my kids that have learning support needs in a way that encourages and hold them accountable. I highly recommend Columbia Christian if you are looking for a place where the staff and kids care about each other and are encouraged to drive for excellence. We drive 25 minutes to attend and it is worth every single minute/penny!

As a parent, I am disappointed in our experience with Columbia Christian School. I wanted my son to…read moreattend a school where he could feel supported, understood, and encouraged to grow both academically and emotionally with Christ centered values being demonstrated with the administration staff. There has been little communication with teachers despite emailing and stopping in the school to talk with them. I believe students who struggle should be met with patience, understanding, and collaboration between families and school staff. Parents should feel that the school is working with them to help their child succeed, rather than feeling that their child is a problem to be managed. I met with the principal and chief of spiritual development and was ostracized and hurt rather than praying with and supported. The experience has been difficult because my son had begun building connections with the school community, and I wanted him to have a positive high school experience. As a parent, it is heartbreaking to see your child struggle and to have concerns about whether his educational and emotional needs are being adequately supported. This experience breaks my heart. I urge future parents to look at other schools and not subject your child to this. The admission person Carrie was great and made it easy to get in, but from the moment I met Mrs. Vensel the director of the school I should have known that we should have chosen a different school. I hope the school takes a closer look at how it supports students with learning differences and communicates with families, and works to find solutions. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel safe, valued, and supported. Even if they don't have the answers on how to support them.

When I went to this school for all of elementary the principal and teachers said that if a kid…read moredidn't tell a certain situation (such as a mean comment) to the closest adult right away that would be on the child and the other kid wouldn't be punished, I was always scared of bullying and those things happened wayyyy more in this school then any other school I went to in my life.

Great staff and students. :-) Wonderful community with a great blend of cultural backgrounds…read more Awesome after school and district activities like swimming, softball, soccer and dance. Long term principal and teachers who are sensitive to individual needs of students while considering the whole class. My daughter goes to Kindergarten at Durham Elementary. I was probably more nervous than her about starting school and getting into the groove. The teacher has been great. The staff was welcoming and had a BBQ to introduce us to the school. The event could have been more entertaining but it served its purpose. Her father and I also attended a back-to-school night shortly after school began. I was able to learn a lot that night and sign up to volunteer. The school district cannot fund a permanent librarian at Durham so parents take turns filling in. I signed up for that and "monthly binder" duty. Durham has fantastic play equipment and a nice covered area. It is set back behind an old school house, converted to a district building in 1986. It has one of the largest Elementary School libraries in the district and every student has an IPad, even Kinders. I have really enjoyed the time we have spent in this Durham Elementary so far and I'm sure it will continue to be an exceptionally positive experience.

Fantastic school. Talented and caring teachers, and experienced and supportive administration…read more Active PTA with great parent support. We also really enjoyed all the afterschool activities; this year our son did yoga, clay club, Lego explorers, and two art classes. There are a lot of great community building events throughout the year as well.

If you don't have to send your kids to Portland Public Schools, then don't but if you have the…read morechoice to go to Irvington Elementary or not then let me recommend and tell you DO NOT GO THERE, especially if you want to get your kids a good education and a place to feel safe becasue no matter how many times we have expressed, gone in, had the children express there feelings they go un-heard and brushed under the rug, screw that! This school SUCKS!