Our family is very happy with our experience at MLC. This school is an experiential learning…read morefocused Portland public alternative school. The kids learn in a more interactive way than a traditional school environment. If you want your child to enjoy learning and be cared and nurtured while they're at school than MLC might be for you! The school welcomes families and community members to participate in the learning process. It takes a village to raise a child and MLC is a wonderful village.

My kids have attended MLC for years, and I can honestly say it's more than a school -- it's a…read morecommunity. When I first walked into my daughter's classroom 12 years ago, I didn't expect to find a home here. But I did. MLC (Metropolitan Learning Center) has been around for over half a century, and it has always stood out for its creativity, inclusiveness, and deep sense of connection. The teachers care deeply about their students, and the families are involved in a way that makes the school feel alive. It's a place where kids are encouraged to think critically, express themselves, and grow as whole people -- not just test-takers. Like any community, MLC has its ups and downs, and right now it's smaller than it used to be. But the heart of the school -- its students, staff, and parents -- remains strong. What makes MLC special is that everyone has something to contribute, whether that's art, language, or simply showing up and helping out. If you're looking for a school where your child can be known, supported, and inspired to be their best self, MLC is truly one of a kind.

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.

Cathedral School has been an exceptional experience for our family. We've lived in 12 different…read moreplaces over the past 15 years, and our kids have attended a variety of schools -- so we have quite a bit to compare it to. When we moved to Portland, our children were already preteens and teenagers, and we knew we couldn't afford to get this decision wrong. Cathedral has been exactly what we were hoping for (and my high schooler is a bit upset he was never able to attend). The environment is both energetic and welcoming. The teachers are professional, genuinely caring, and excellent at what they do. The elementary and middle school years are all about building a strong foundation, and that's exactly what students receive from day one. Every child is truly seen, known, and supported, due to the small class sizes. Teachers understand their students not just academically, but personally -- and that kind of attention makes a lasting difference. Academically, the program is both thoughtful and rigorous. While it may not specifically market itself as STEM-focused, there's a strong and consistent emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and preparing students for high school -- it honestly feels more STEM-driven than it claims. At the same time, the arts and music programs are fantastic and add so much depth to the overall experience. The teachers are true professionals in their respective fields, bringing both expertise and passion to the classroom. Graduates leave confident and exceptionally well-prepared, going on to outstanding Catholic and independent high schools, as well as advanced programs within public schools. Just as important is the culture. The school community is safe, respectful, and grounded in kindness and accountability. There is very little tolerance for bullying -- something we've unfortunately experienced elsewhere -- and issues are handled appropriately and proactively. Character development isn't just talked about; it's part of daily life. Although rooted in Catholic values, Cathedral is welcoming and inclusive of families from a wide range of faith backgrounds. The location truly can't be beat. Yes, it's downtown, and like many urban areas there have been a few challenging years -- but the school prioritizes safety at every level. Security is strong, and any concerns (which, thankfully, have been minimal to none) have always been addressed quickly and appropriately. We've consistently felt that student safety is taken seriously and handled with care. Lastly, my high schooler is now in advanced classes (high school), and I've noticed that many of his classmates also came from Cathedral. That says a lot. The foundation they're building there clearly sets students up for long-term success -- the school must be doing something very right. If you're looking for a PK-8 school where your child will be challenged academically, supported emotionally, and truly known by dedicated teachers, Cathedral School is an outstanding choice.

As a parent of a new 6th grader, we're having a really positive experience at Cathedral school…read more Starting somewhere new can be a big adjustment, but my daughter has felt supported both academically and socially. The academics are challenging and students are held to high standards. Behavior issues are addressed directly and thoughtfully, and while middle school naturally comes with some social ups and downs, concerns like bullying are taken seriously and handled appropriately from what I've seen. Communication from teachers and staff has been great; I appreciate being kept in the loop, even about small things like when a student isn't paying attention, because it shows how engaged and attentive the teachers are. The teachers! Absolutely top notch and very hard working. No one is checked out. I also love that 6th-8th graders have the chance to be part of a leadership program and are encouraged to serve their school and the wider community. It's been wonderful to see students given real responsibilities at school events. Overall, it feels like a supportive, structured environment where priorities revolve around academics and student success.

The best teachers and positive, supportive environment. Small school with opportunities for growth…read morefor every child. I would send my child here indefinitely if they had a high school program.

I don't have enough superlatives to truly convey the deep appreciate and regard my wife and I have…read morefor Metro. Our daughter has been in Montessori since she was 3. She is a Montessori kid. And when the time came to leave her upper elementary classroom at her previous school (the super wonderful Sunstone Montessori) - we really struggled. Did we put her in a pipeline school that would allow her to matriculate from her middle school program directly into high school (e.g. OES)? Should we consider Waldorf? In the end, sticking with Montessori for our daughter's middle school years was not only a healthy choice for her growth and development - it was an amazing experience for her whole person. Picture this - after completing her 7th grade year at Metro . . . our daughter disclosed to us, "that was the best year of my life." Wow! I don't know about you - but my Catholic middle school years were DEFINITELY NOT the best years of my life. Thank you, Metro for being such an amazing place of peace, curiosity and compassion. You ROCK!

Pipster Prep was great--until it wasn't. We were one of the first families when the school opened…read morein May 2023 with just two classrooms, and stayed through April 2025 as it expanded to eight. Unfortunately, the quality of care and leadership didn't grow with it. While many of the teachers were kind and well-meaning, the majority were very young, newly trained through online programs, and often promoted with minimal hands-on experience. This inexperience showed, especially when it came to basic safety and communication. We raised several safety concerns over our time there: loose screws left in classrooms, unsecured furniture, choking hazards like popcorn and whole grapes on the snack menu, and toys with loose button batteries. Water beads--another well-known risk--were even used in class. We, and other families, were repeatedly brushed off or met with defensiveness when we brought these issues up. Our daughter has severe food allergies and had multiple reactions at school. Instead of ensuring a safe shared environment, the school had her eat meals alone at a table--at just 2 years old--while other students with allergies had entire foods banned from their classrooms for their safety. Even with discussions with their owner, Tessa, they don't seem to actually have a cohesive set protocol for handling allergies at their schools. Our daughter's school stored EpiPen was also allowed to expire by three months, only discovered when they went through medications for a state inspection scheduled the next day. There's only one classroom in the entire building with windows to the outside. The outdoor space is tiny, surfaced with hot rubber bark from recycled tires that stains clothes and skin when wet--definitely not designed with young children in mind. Multiple complaints and suggestions from parents were made over the two years we were there but nothing happened. Communication with the director, Jessica, was one of the most frustrating aspects. She often went weeks or even months without replying to emails, was rarely present during school hours, and didn't seem to support or equip teachers to navigate concerns with families. When we did hear from her, responses were often dismissive or defensive rather than collaborative. Eventually, we were blamed for "teacher burnout" simply for raising ongoing concerns about safety and our daughter's well-being. We appreciated the daily photos, but it often meant that teachers spent significant time on iPads instead of actively engaging with the children. For the high tuition we paid, our daughter frequently spent playtime drawing on a whiteboard with dried-out markers or sharing a single marker among many kids. In March 2025, we were suddenly told our family would not be allowed to return in the fall because our occasional concerns were"too much for Jessica's mental health". This came without any prior indication of issues or feedback. A few weeks later, we were immediately expelled from the school and received an email accusing us of "disruptive and inappropriate behavior." We had picked out daughter up early that day for a Doctor's appointment... Shockingly, Jessica sent an email to the entire school community sharing private details about our daughter's medical history, and invited other parents to "come into her office" to learn more about our family--something that was not only unethical, but a serious privacy violation. We were wowed by the newness of the school but should have done more due diligence as organizationally, it doesn't seem equipped to handle its rapid growth. Despite Jessica's experience as a preschool director, her lack of openness to feedback, poor communication, and disregard for legitimate safety concerns are deeply troubling. Since leaving, we've heard similar stories from other families and former staff. If you dig past the solicited 5-star reviews, you'll find more parents speaking up about the same issues. Advocating for your child's safety should never be treated as a threat or burden. That should have been our biggest red flag of all.

Pipster Prep has been a blessing! The teachers feel like members of the family and our children…read morecanot wait to come back each day! With actual teachers leading the class, our children are learning a lot in a very structered way! Thank you, Pipster Prep!

Love this school! Our son started middle school there this year. We went there for the strong…read moreEnglish program that focuses on building critical thinking and writing skills. They're delivering. We also went for differentiated math. Delivering. And our son loves doing tap for PE. Who would have thought it? On top of that, the school is very well run.

I have been recommending Kids Academy to all of my friends because they take such great care of the…read morekids in their care! I have met the teachers and am so impressed with how much they really care about the children.

I was in Abbie's care when she still ran her daycare out of her basement back in the early 90s. She…read moreenacted horrible child abuse, using her full body weight to sit on us when we were having tantrums which would result in more crying and screaming because we were in pain. She once locked me in a closet in her basement and when her assistant brought my blanket and binkie to calm me down, she took them away and turned the light off. I'm still afraid of the dark and small places to this day. I never talked about these experiences as a child because I thought they were my fault. My mom's biggest memory from before I told her what happened to me is how she refused to use lanterns and flashlights during the massive storm that caused a power outage and opted to use open flame candles in a room full of toddlers instead. Talking about trauma and depression in one of my classes made me think of her and my experiences in her "care". When I looked her up and found she is still watching children I was horrified. Hopefully she has learned to not scar children for life over the years.

TCS is an incredible development & nurturing environment for kids to grow. All 3 of our children…read morewill go thru the programs & you will not find a safer, structured, and happy culture. Our son started Kindergarten & was extremely over-prepared based on the curriculum & preparation from TCS. As parents, there is no better feeling than knowing your child is READY for the next life experience & is ready to excel. The portfolio of experiences & opportunity is what separates TCS from other schools. We highly recommend TCS.

A school that's model "It's not enough to make 9 positive choices and 1 bad choice" raises a lot of…read moreconcern for a 4 year old learning to control impulses. Our son was thriving the first 4 months and then his teachers left abruptly. Everything changed after they left including the owner terminating our contract after our son spit on 2 students during a teacher transition phase. We understand that children are not perfect and knew that behavior incidents would happen. Our son got bit and spit on in their care. In our opinion 4 year olds need an environment where their strengths are built on and they go to preschool to learn rather than expected to be perfect.