Weird - the google reviews for this place are turn off? I have not seen that before and it is…read moresuspect. Like what happen that we do not know about? We were 4th grade family in 2026. We dropped it after a season. It is well meaning, charming, safe and dilligent. But it wasn't for us. It is dusty, no-lunch provided, classrooms without windows and a lil' more structured than PPS (which we liked). You could tell that the teachers had a bit more freedom and less supervision. A lot of students with no shoes and they use the park next door all day. I not sure I am entirely okay with this park use everyday by every class thing. If the local tire shop used the park as part of their buissness model people would be up in arms. I was assuming they used it like three times a week. They use it like six times a day (the entire school). PPS is an insane asslume 20% of the time in their Elementry Schools. Seriously their are fight, diapers, crying and threats everyday. But this wasn't the fix that we thought it would be. The teachers seemed a lil' oblvious and had just a little bit of a lower level of professnalism - one example was when a second grade class exited they would sing a group spirit song. Very charming. First two weeks the kids played along and it was cute. But the following months the students gradually lost interest and stoped singing. But the teacher didn't look back when leading the line or seem to notice on any level. She had her back to the children. The students were rolling their eyes, drifting and struggling. It was a bit smug and not responsable to have not be looking more closely. It also added to the mayhem of their pick-up process. They gave zero care to how that would work and wildeness they were contributing to. Worse drop off and pickup process I have experienced. It was heavy lifting picking up the child. It got so wild and noisy that I was being knocked into everyday - so I backed up a bit (like 30'). So the teacher had to tell me that I was to far away. It is a bit of a Portland hippy scene. Sweet and well meaning. There was a lot of parents not dressed for the weather, the grounds were very muddy, whole vibe was worn out in tone. Not a lot of acknowledgment for working parents. It is time involved. We tried - it just had to be measurably better than PPS if we were going to pay for it. It wasn't.

This is a wonderful school and community with incredible teachers. If you are looking for an…read moreeducation that is deeply invested in children's imagination, embodiment, nervous system regulation, compassion, care, and creativity, I highly recommend checking this school out. Our family has been part of the school since my children began in the outdoor kindergarten, and over the years I've found it to be such a grounded, nourishing way for them to learn. They've developed strong social skills, a deep relationship with nature, and the ability to co-create with others through joy and play. The school beautifully nurtures their way of seeing and being in community, service, and connection. Not only do they cultivate curiosity, but children also learn musical instruments, work with their hands, dance and move, study Japanese language and culture, and engage in rich practices of storytelling and listening. We've participated in amazing field trips to places like Ekone Ranch, the Salmon Ceremony at Oxbow, service trips to the food bank, and more. The kids also participate in Nature Immersion Fridays, where they build and explore in creeks, rivers, and forests--co-creating with friends while learning practical outdoor skills and environmental identification. This is truly a beloved school, and one I highly recommend visiting to see if it's the right fit for your family.

Our kids have been at Marylhurst for three years, and they're thriving academically, socially, and…read moreemotionally. Our fourth grader is reading at a tenth-grade level, and our first grader is doing second-grade math--but more importantly (to us), they LOVE their school and are having an awesome experience. The teachers are just exceptional. They're all deeply attuned to each child's learning style and emotional development. The narrative reports we receive twice a year are so thoughtful and insightful that it's palpable that our kids are really KNOWN and appreciated for who they truly are. Their personality quirks, the edges where they're being challenged by a concept... it's all there. The teachers seriously SEE our kids. All of the teachers we've had has been experienced, compassionate, and connected with the kids. But the best part is that our kids have fallen in love with learning, which is what we hoped for most. Our oldest was quickly becoming an anxious perfectionist at a public school in kindergarten before we made the switch, but as soon as we moved to Marylhurst, he began to expand into a flexible, growth-mindset oriented student who understands that mistakes are one of the best ways to learn. The kids get to learn not through endless worksheets or computer programs, but through student-led projects that often turn into elaborate, imagined worlds. Since the kids own so much of the process together, they are invested in their projects, and learn to collaborate across ages in blended classrooms. And the campus is beautiful; it's woodsy and peaceful, with a pond and forested trails for cross-country running. We couldn't be happier with our kids' experience at Marylhurst. It's a nurturing, inspiring community that fosters curiosity and confidence. 10/10, five stars.

If you are considering The Marylhurst School, I strongly encourage you to look elsewhere. This…read moreschool does not follow the Science of Reading or provide systematic, evidence-based foundational literacy instruction, despite its claims to the contrary. This school lacks any meaningful system for objectively measuring academic progress, identifying learning gaps, or providing intervention when students struggle. Parents should not have to wonder whether their child is actually learning to read or making appropriate academic progress, especially when paying private school tuition. The promise of a progressive education means very little without effective instruction and measurable academic outcomes. This school is a fraud. Your child's education is too important to gamble. PLEASE look elsewhere.

My three year old had no previous school or childcare experience before Woodhaven, so we were…read moreanxious at how she would adjust to being separated and in a new environment. She has absolutely flourished during her first year in this co-op preschool. She finds joy and confidence in the daily rhythm, open free play and time in the forest. Seeing her smiling face at pick up, which is often covered with mud from a fun filled day outside, is such a gift. Watercoloring, baking bread, making candles, learning beautiful songs and stories that celebrate the seasons and encourage connection to nature are just a handful of things that make up the daily rhythm. Most of all, we feel grateful that the majority of time at school is spent outside with exceptionally kind and inclusive teachers and children. We love being part of the co-op and her education. Five stars all day long to this beautiful school!

Our family has absolutely loved being part of this forest preschool co-op. This is our second year…read moreand we are planning to continue next year when my youngest turns three. It's rare to find a place where children are not only supported, but truly seen--and that's exactly what Ms. Melynda and Ms. Erika bring to this community. They bring such kindness, compassion, and a sense of magic to every day. The gentle, Waldorf-inspired traditions--seasonal songs, nature stories, and rhythmic routines--create a warm, grounding environment the children absolutely thrive in. There is plenty of time and space for free play, and it's incredible to see how creative and imaginative the kids become in an outdoor classroom without toys. Nature provides everything they need. They teach respect for animals, plants, and all living things in the most natural, heartfelt ways. A bug rescue, a quiet moment under a tree, or caring for the forest together becomes part of how the children learn to move through the world with empathy and wonder. We feel incredibly grateful for this community and these teachers who make the forest feel like a second home for our child. Highly highly recommend!

Our family dedicated 7 years of time, efforts and money to CWS and its community, but we finally…read moredecided to remove our 3 children from the school. Our decision was based on what I perceive as a shift from a pure Waldorf approach to something more of "DEI with Waldorf flavor". Additionally, I've observed a biased behavior from the school administration, including instances where students were bullied and harassed by current and previous administration due to their parents' differing views on the school's ideological direction. * * * For a detailed explanation, please visit https://www.wokeinschools.org/cws/index.html. I've provided supporting documentation on the review page and am happy to share more upon request. * * * The above is the review I originally posted in 2023. Since then, it has been repeatedly flagged and removed by Yelp, who claims it violates their Content Guidelines -- a claim I strongly dispute. I believe it's important for parents to have access to a full range of opinions -- both positive and negative -- when choosing a school for their children. This helps them make well-informed decisions about their child's future. For this reason, I will continue to repost my review.

My girls love this school and I do too. On the first day, we walked into the school and meet our…read moregirls' teacher. She was soft-spoken, warm and welcoming, and I felt like it was a perfect fit for my twins. Having been here a few more years and meeting more of the students and teachers, I have to say I am impressed with how confident and self-assured the kids are. I see them collaborating and helping each other. They really build a child's confidence and help them to find their individuality. I highly recommend Cedarwood to my friends and family and would for yours as well.

Portland Waldorf School is a truly magical place. Our child has flourished here -- from the…read morenurturing environment of preschool to the thoughtful, inspiring rhythm of the grade school. The teachers are extraordinary: they see and support the whole child -- academically, emotionally, and creatively. Each day feels intentional and full of wonder, and the community is warm, grounded, and deeply connected. We're so grateful to be part of a school that honors childhood while cultivating capable, curious, and confident learners. I hope more families explore the Waldorf philosophy.

We love having our child in kindergarten here! The teachers are incredibly attuned to each child's…read moreneeds while fostering a cohesive, creative, and collaborative community. Our child has grown leaps and bounds in this nurturing school, and we couldn't be happier to have her here.

So many feels to share about this beautiful little school…read more I believe we have hit the preschool jackpot!! The teachers are everything, they are parents themselves and exude calm and loving leadership. I love that there is an imaginative and playful energy mixed with the value of learning through tasks like folding or tidying up. My little one comes home singing and is excited about going to school. The school itself is residential home that is fully devoted to the school and has a lovely outdoor play area with swings, slide and sand! They children do crafts and make bread, they make soup together...it's just so darn sweet. I feel so completely at ease while my kiddo is in the care Mr Shay and Mrs Heegew, can't recommend Roswood school enough!

This is a new preschool, and I'm so grateful we discovered it! What a sweet, nourishing environment…read morefor young hearts and minds. We are thankful for the gentle transition from our daughter being cared for exclusively at home, one-one-one, to this enriching home-like setting with an intimate group of other children. My two-year-old is now flourishing as she learns through imaginative play/art, "work" (e.g. helping bake bread or prepare soup), and observation of the natural world around her. Between them, the teachers have deep and broad experience in both Waldorf and public education and connect strongly and intuitively with the children. I appreciate the lack of technological distractions in this space. It truly is a lovely and inspiring place, and I wish my own preschool as a child had this natural, homey vibe instead of something more institutional. My daughter comes home every day happy and brimming with expressions of beautiful new experiences and development. Highly recommend!

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!

We sent our daughter here for 2 years before she started Kindergarten and I can't say enough about…read morewhat a wonderful experience it was for all of us. Nina, Bryan and Megan have created a magical, safe, and lyrical space for young children to explore and enjoy. While I'm sure our daughter was developing some important social and cognitive skills, the thing that most struck me was the simple sense of wonder that she would come home with every day. Throughout the year Song Garden hosts seasonal festivals, rituals, and gatherings that include the entire family. These have become such beloved traditions in our family that we plan to keep attending even though we are past preschool age. Nina and Bryan also have periodic parental meeting where we could learn more about classroom activities, individual development, and allow us to ask any questions or air other concerns. These were great opportunities to trade parenting tips with other new parents, and we picked up a number of great techniques. The greater Song Garden community became an excellent support network for us, and provided us with an increased sense of parental confidence. In the end we were sad to see our daughter "graduate" out of pre-school; but we are so pleased with her growth during this period and we are confident she has the skills to thrive in her future environments.

My son recently graduated from Song Garden after going to the school since he was 2.5 years old -…read more I can't say enough good things about this school! The teachers Nina and Bryan are the most gentle, loving people who have nurtured my son and helped mold him into a sweet, well mannered boy with a love of the gardening, pretend play, music and nature in general. Occasionally my son will have a behavioral issue at school or have something come up - Nina and Bryan go out of their way to talk through it after hours and suggest reading material as well as clip out articles to assist me. This has been priceless to me and so well appreciated as they have years of teaching under their belt and they have very insightful feedback. I know they do this for other parents as well and we often talk about what a help it is to have such valuable feedback. Not too long ago, the kids found a moth with a broken wing in the back play area. Nina had instructed them not to move it, so they brought it food and water and sat around it and took care of it. This is a perfect example of how kind this school and these teachers are and the love of nature they are instilling in their students. We are very sorry to leave Song Garden - we would send our son here through high-school if it were at all possible! I very highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a wonderful, nurturing environment for their precious child and encourage you to schedule a visit - you'll be won over as soon as you meet the teachers and see the magical space that is the classroom.

We just started the intro to Waldorf class with our 18 month old and it seems like the perfect way…read moreto figure out how to establish a daily rhythm while learning about Waldorf philosophy in a relaxed environment. Small size classes in the cutest little house, cozy and inviting way to bond with your kid and introduce other children the same size.

Gnome's Home is a parent and child education program that offers classes in music, song,…read morestorytelling, yoga, language and parenting in the Waldorf tradition. It's an extension of the long-standing Heart in Hand Preschool, which is the WECAN certified Waldorf preschool co-located on the same property. Our family spent three years with Heart in Hand so we got to know the programs and Ms. Yvonne very well. We couldn't recommend her more highly and the Gnome's Home program is a great outgrowth and addition to the preschool. Highly recommended for anyone who thinks hand-crafted children are worth the effort!

Update January 2026:…read more Perhaps the biggest and most surprising benefit of sending our children to The Treehouse is the village and community we've found there. We've been incredibly fortunate to have stitched a strong support system from the friendships our children have made at The Treehouse. We have vacationed and camped together. Held and comforted each others' second babies. We've helped each other through losing our parents, fed each other, and helped provide care when working parents are out of town or needed at work when daycare was closed. We've cried together, protested together, organized for political candidates together, and volunteered together. We've read books together, have gone to bingo together, and throw whimsical parties and celebrations together. This has taken work but The Treehouse brings together families with very similar values. All we had to do was trust our children's instincts on who their friends were and foster those same friendships with their parents. If you're the parent of young children in 2026 and wondering where your village is, it's right here. Lastly, daycare is expensive. As a 501(c)3, The Treehouse is transparent about their financials. You can pull their 990 and see what staff make in addition to their income, expenses, and assets. I take a lot of comfort knowing our money is staying in our community instead of lining the pockets of private equity firms.

The Treehouse is such a gem! Both our kids have gone here over the past couple of years, and it's…read morehonestly been the perfect fit--especially for our toddler, who's usually grinning ear to ear and ready to tell us all about her day at pickup. The morning tea and circle time are such a sweet way to kick things off. The teachers and staff are amazing. Super kind, attentive, and you can tell they really love what they do. There's always something fun going on, and the garden is incredible. The kids get to explore, play, and even taste what's growing. The Acorn classroom (for the littlest ones) is cozy and so welcoming. Definitely invest in good outdoor gear...it's worth it. The outdoor-first setup has helped our toddler get stronger, more creative, and more confident. We feel really lucky to have a preschool like this nearby.