My son, who attends LHS for the IB program, has been making his homework and generally likes all…read morehis teachers -- a completely new situation for me. We moved to Portland from the Netherlands, where he did little or nothing, and I am so happy to see him enjoying school, making new friends (whom I all like when I meet them), attending the Iron Chef Wednesday lunches, and thinking about his future and what he really wants to do with his life. When we attended the parent/teacher conferences together in October, he received one compliment after another from his teachers. Already encouraged by Ms. Chapman, the Principal, who answered my emails personally, and the really nice staff at LHS, who helped with documents and requirements for the IB and regular high school attendance, I realized that in real terms LHS has meant so much more for us. It was the base from which we chose our home and has helped determine our location and views on Portland. We like, no make that love, weird!!! Thank you Lincoln and thank you Stumptown.

It's a hostile environment for kids who aren't part of the "in" crowd. My kid was bullied in class…read moreby another student and the teacher turned a blind eye. This was in an IB class.

Best school ever for developing strong women leaders of tomorrow. Also, the Cleanest men's…read morerestrooms I have ever seen in a high school. Always spotless.

Lady Blues, show your pride!…read more Yes, I am an alumnus of the great St. Mary's Academy (SMA)--the only all-women's college preparatory school on the West Coast--class of 2003. I think it's safe for us all to say that we have memories from our golden years, whether they be good or bad. Thankfully, 98.6 percent of my memories of good ol' SMA are very fond. From the spirituality of the Encounter retreat (ask me sometime!) to Ms. Gorman's STD slideshow (the cauliflower penis scarred us all) and falling off the Ark, those four years were great. I remember Sister Linda (the Prez of Student Affairs) would walk through crowded SMA dances, and separate girls from their dates who were dancing too provocatively, telling them to leave room for the Holy Spirit. And if you were caught again, you were taken to the cool-down room, where Mr. Hemmen (a religion teacher) would kindly lecture you. Obviously, *I* never made it that far. For a full list of SMA oddities, just check out the Facebook group [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2230163620]. While SMA wasn't the school for everyone (i.e., the extremely boy crazy, and the ones whose parents forced them to go there), I thought it was the perfect place for me. It definitely fostered my growth as an intelligent and well-rounded person, and the teachers and staff never treated us like kids, even though we were in our teens. And I have to say that I feel I received an A++ education that TOTALLY prepared me for university. I mean, when I went to college, I had LESS homework than during SMA, and my classes were way EASIER than my high school ones. Pow! Take that! They taught me how to stand up for myself and how to get involved and ask questions. When I went to college, I was surprised to see that not many people were vocal like I was. Oh, and St. Mary's does not have uniforms (common misconception), and last time I checked they have the most liberal dress code of all the Portland private schools. Yes, you can wear flip-flops (Central Catholic doesn't allow that)! And SMA is right downtown. I took Tri-Met to school every day for four years! And because it's not a huge campus, you can leave the grounds for lunch after your freshman year. AWESOME. The teachers rock, the students rock, and they offer good financial aid packages. And I like the aid program they've got going on: For every $100 they give you in aid, the student has to do one hour of service work. It totally got me involved during my time. Oh, and no one's mascot has anything on SMA's (Laura N....that means your poet, too!): It's a blue music note. Ha! I've got nothing but love for this place. Send your baby girls here.

Thanks for the help. Had wonderful time enrolling and finding that electives sounded engaging .read more

Amazing school pretty old though maybe think about remodeling like Lincoln high school did lockers…read morejam and lock mechanisms are older than time but the teachers are amazing and the experience is top notch highly recommend!

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.

My daughter has been at Cottonwood this school year as a kindergartener, and overall our experience…read morehas been really positive. Cottonwood is a great fit for families who value community, outdoor learning, and a smaller, more relational school environment. Her K-1 blended class has helped her grow academically and socially, and she's developed a real love for math, reading, and hands-on learning. Field trips and outdoor enrichment, like exploring Oaks Bottom, have been a big highlight. What stands out most is the culture of care. From day one, staff across the school made a point to welcome her by name, which helped a big transition feel safe and personal. That kind of consistency and attention really matters with young kids. I also appreciate being able to volunteer and stay connected to the classroom/fieldwork. Seeing the environment firsthand has reinforced why it works well for our family. Cottonwood offers something special for families looking for thoughtful teaching, strong relationships, and real community.

I have had both of my kids here since kindergarten. It is an incredible community and child…read morecentered and with deeply enriching curriculum. It's focus on field work has my kids connected and knowledgeable about Portland--its ecology, history, and its civics. With a strong focus on social emotional learning, my kiddos are developing skills in emotional regulation, communication and restorative justice.

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!

Ren is still a really magical place, as per my previous review. Like at most smaller schools,…read morespecific experiences and accommodations will vary by grade and teacher, which means it can be a bit of a roll of the dice year to year. My experiences thus far are still all with the lower school, which has a noticeably different feel than the upper, though there's abundant mingling in all the good ways. Reading through a bunch of other more recent reviews I'm updating mine to reflect reality on some points that others have found frustrating in theirs: * The school does not have specific services, expertise or accommodations for neurodiverse kids. There is no counselor or administrator with specific training or credentials for helping ND scholars, and the overall body of staff lacks up-to-date pedagogy and training on the most current and effective ways to help these students, though there are *plenty* of well-meaning, helpful adults on the team, who do their very best. That said, the open, creative and varied nature of the environment *can* make it a much better fit for some ND kids than a standard classroom, and as such there are many ND kids in the student body who are thriving. But it's important to make sure that your kiddo will fit within the (not super explicit) boundaries when deciding if Ren is a good fit. Be open and clear about any special needs/quirks/features of your child to make sure it'll be a good fit, and if your visit day leaves you with open questions, ask for another one! Everyone wants everyone to succeed and no one is helped by accepting a student who won't flourish. * The school is not well organized, in terms of paperwork, documentation, administrivia, follow-up, etc. If you're looking for the well-oiled accountable machine of larger or more established environments, you may find this very frustrating. Everything takes a while, and you generally have to bring things up a bunch of times before things start moving. It's a worthwhile trade for a space where your kid can feel safe and happy, but one you need to decide to make so it doesn't irk you along the way. * While the kids form solid and important relationships in school, that does not extend out to the parent-body, which can leave some families feeling isolated. No PTA or parent interest groups, and minimal volunteer participation, though there is a core of very willing and available parents who show up if an effort can be organized for a specific issue or by a specific class. I remain an enthusiastic parent of multiple scholars, and am grateful that a welcoming and creative space like Ren exists, even if it does have rough edges to keep working on. If you find me in a local parent group or some such thing, I'm always happy to talk about Ren and answer questions. Good luck!

This school is not a clown. It's the whole circus. I wish I never were here. The teachers suck and…read morewhen they yell at you they make you feel bad and get that queasy feeling down in your stomach. The school itself isn't nice either. Absolutely HORRIBLE school. DO NOT GO!

this school is bad my son santa went to this school 5 years ago and one of the teacher hit him! but…read morehe slayed and one year later he got a girl with a kid!

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.

If you are looking for a private school that is top notch and focuses on each individual child,…read moreplease explore The Catlin Gabel School. In a world where education puts kids in a box, The Catlin Gabel School is a refreshing tangent. I am so impressed with the students who have attended this school. They are the most mature kids who have been educated in a way that brings out the best of their gifts and abilities. Last year I had a student intern from Catlin at my place of business and I was so impressed. She was able to produce a professional video that reached the heart of my acupuncture practice and business. The first thought for most is that they cannot afford the school, but they have a complete system for financial grants and scholarships based on what you can realistically afford. According to the website: "More than one-quarter of the student body receives financial assistance through need-based grants and special scholarships. Grant and scholarship awards are not loans and do not have to be paid back. In 2013-14, we allocated over $3.4 million in financial aid to families with annual household incomes primarily in the range of $15,650 to $170,000. Award grants ranged from $1,830 to $25,750 and averaged $16,235." We hope our boys can attend this school next year or in the future and we applying for the 2014-15 school year. Fingers crossed and wish us luck!

I attended the upper school many years ago. Looking back on it now, I'm so grateful that my parents…read moremade me attend Catlin Gabel. The school really prepared me to be on my own once I graduated and also I was ahead of so many when I got to my college classes. I loved the small school environment once I was there! I can't say anything bad about Catlin! Go Eagles!

Check your calendar when you're in Portland, and if you happen to be there at the right time, grab…read morea blanket, some wine and cheese, and head to Chapman elementary school about an hour before sunset to view the swift migration. An exceptional display of wildlife to say the least. Since we seem to be annihilating birds In this country at a record pace, you best get here soon because they will probably be gone in 20 years. But in the meantime, you can enjoy the site with several hundred other Portlandites that are in the know. You will not be disappointed. Volunteers and scientists are on site to help interpret what you're seeing. Be sure to go and visit them. Parking is decent, and there are multiple places to visit afterwards to process your experience with good drink and food. Enjoy nature while you've got the chance.

Chapman Elementary School is more than just a Portland Public Schools neighborhood elementary…read moreschool. It also doubles as a temporary home for migrating vaux swifts for about three weeks in each September. Each year, thousands of migrating vaux swifts claim Chapman's old boiler chimney as an evening resting place. During their short stay in Portland, crowds gather around the school at dawn and dusk to watch a black cloud of birds swoop, flutter and funnel into the chimney in graceful frenzy. It's truly a sight to be seen. The presence of lingering predatory hawks who see the swifts as dinner only adds to the excitement. Don't miss this natural wonder come September.