Coming from another Montessori elementary school in Vancouver, the Earth School is a breath of…read morefresh air - it is what every Montessori/private school should be! There are 4 Lower El classrooms (1st-3rd), 3 Upper El (4th-6th) with plans for another, and the Middle School (really a Jr. High) with 50+ kids. In making my decision to transition during the school year January 2015, we were allowed a trial day for my boys to take part in the classrooms. My 5th grader stated that he learned more in the one trial day than he did in a week at his other school. My suspicions were confirmed and the decision was made to change schools. (We also tested the Gardner School, which was way too easy). My son was obviously right - his testing went from mediocre on the MSP at the old school to 85% on the Stanford 10, with 5 of the 12 categories at "post-high school level" and 4 at high school level. This in less than 14 months. There was no emphasis on test-taking - the education was simply that much better. His new teacher Gladys Munoz shows an interest and engagement with him that was lacking at least in conferences with his former upper el teacher, and reminiscent of the passion his lower el teacher Tami O'Kinsella had for him. Another difference was the clearly articulated plan with achievable goals that Gladys created for and communicated not just to me but to my son as well. She modeled a belief in his ability to achieve the standards she sets for him. I believe she does this for all of her students. So how do you know if a private school is living up to what is it supposed to be? Without standardized minimum expectations for academics or actually seeing the children interact in different environments to know how they handle bullying and other social problems, how does a parent know? Specifically, how do you know whether a Montessori school is successfully implementing a Montessori curriculum? There is Montessori teacher certification, but you need more than that (yes, there are horrible Montessori-certified teachers out there just like any profession). There is Montessori school certification by AMI and that would be best, but is expensive and limiting to the school and therefore not all Montessori schools apply for it. School management is the key. The Head of School must have the experience, training, and aptitude to manage, delegate, guide, motivate, and correct when necessary. She must have an ability to mentor the teachers, spot problems/weaknesses before they blow up, create a plan for improvement, and then follow that plan. If he/she does not have the training and experience, AND aptitude then she cannot support your teacher. This requires experience and training teaching the higher level classrooms or beyond so she can understand what a properly functioning classroom looks like and what type of support teachers need. If the Head of School does not have those tools, she might still be able to support the staff if she has great management skills - she would need to use outside consultants on a regular basis, but she needs the skills to follow through with the consultant's recommendations. Otherwise, you as the parent are left to rely on luck to get a great teacher. Our prior school did have great teachers, but but my boys drew the dud cards. The Earth School has an experienced Head of School who is accountable to her higher-ups and has decades of school management behind her. She seeks her customers' input. She has great hiring skills and the staff is experienced and top notch. Sister Therese is constantly seeking ways to improve the school and attends parent forums to here concerns and suggestions yet can firmly let you know the current priorities. As my mother said "Franciscan nuns run a tight ship!" She was right and they do it kindly, firmly and with love. So, what should you hear from a prospective teacher? You need to hear her/him discuss how they will be creating a plan for your child and the steps to follow that plan. You need to see that teacher be excited to find out about your child and how they will assess your child. You need to watch that teacher "follow the child', i.e., listen to your child, ask probing questions, patiently await the answer. In the case of my preschooler, the teacher literally followed him, allowing him to go first and point things out and ask questions. Good luck in your quest. The Montessori philosophy is amazing and needed in this world. Our Montessori schools will create the entrepeneurs of tomorrow! http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/

We have now been at this school for three years and we could not be happier. We left our…read moreneighborhood school mid-year because our son was being bullied and despite numerous conversations with his teacher, the counselor, and the principal little to nothing was done. When I picked our son up from his shadow day at FMES, he said it was the best day of his life. Within a week he was more joyful than he'd ever been at our neighborhood school. Three years later, he has some of the sweetest friends and is the happiest I've ever seen him. This past weekend (end of spring break) he said he was missing school because he is really enjoying math. Our younger son has ADHD and is also thriving. The options and flexibility really work well for him. FMES feels different from the moment you walk through the door. It's a very warm and welcoming community. Having taught special education in public schools for twelves years it was tough for us to make the decision to switch but we could not be happier. The love and care our children receive at FMES protects their innocence and joy, giving them a wonderful childhood.

PAES plays by their own rules as many private schools do. The academics provided are not up to the…read morestandards of other schools and my student is behind due to attending PAES. Administration is terrible (the current principal specifically) and they do not communicate well with parents. As soon as a parent speaks up about a concern you are flagged and they will begin trying to get you out. They are not upfront about behaviors of kids and will wait to discuss behavior until it's too late. If you are looking for a private school, do not attend this one. Update: My kiddo has started attending a different private school for over a month now, and it is clear to us that Portland Adventist Elementary was the problem. Our child has not demonstrated any of the behaviors they claimed he was demonstrating despite the school telling us "he will do this in any setting." Thankfully we got out before any big permanent labels could be placed on our child, although this school attempted to ruin our chances at having a clean slate in a new environment. My advice, if you're a current parent that has concerns, pull your child. And future parents, there are other private institutions in the area with more integrity than this one (including other Adventist schools).

wonderful school teachers are nice and dedicated to help your child and they have sports for kids…read moreand if your child has trouble reading they have a reading coach

I absolutely adore the staff and director at CLC. We've been members since my daughter entered…read moredaycare, 3 years ago. The staff are like a second family to us, and sometimes I don't know what we would do without them! I love the small family feels. They're progressive, open minded, and always willing to hear me out. They're open to feedback and they've got amazing systems for communication and center safety. The menu is healthy, meatless, and home cooked. I'm pretty sure eating there was the only way my daughter was getting any vegetables for several months. She's learned so much and I'm so grateful she'll have the foundational skills necessary for kindergarten as a result. Only con I can see? Some of the staff prefer cats to dogs. I don't understand. It's just so absurd. Cats are jerks, known fact.

Enrolling our son three years ago at the age of two was the best decision we've ever made. He has…read morelearned so much and just blossoms more each day. The director Emily has been with him from day one. She is truly the heartbeat of the school, and we couldn't be more grateful for her. And, from Teacher Lydia to Teacher Cindy to Teacher Sarah, and now Teacher Nicole (and all the others that have helped) he has always been in the best of hands. I've never had to worry or stress. I am always at ease knowing he's treated with kindness and patience and that his days are filled with learning, fun, and friends. Nicole is just amazing, he loves her so much! I can't believe we're on to Kindergarten, a big heartfelt thanks to everyone helping him to be so well prepared for this next adventure.

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.

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.

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.

I am a new Mom and had to go back to work. When I called to…read moresee about a tour Penny was so warm and kind. She told me to swing by anytime. I stopped in unannounced. The building was completely secure and was buzzed in once she saw us outside. This was the only place that did not require an appointment. I did not want to see people on their best behavior, I wanted to walk into the day to day grind and see the real interaction. I am so happy I did! My lil guy goes to this daycare now and he thrives. Heis in the infant room and his teachers are wonderful the staff is fantastic. They communicate everything with you, offer great ideas and are so flexible! I love them all and so does my son! Definately check them out they are wonderful!

This is based off of employment. I had someone in my family to apply for a job here, that being…read moresaid I'm not here to bash anyone BUT after what our family member saw inside, they refused an offered position at airport learning tree. This was specifically because a teacher showed blatant bias towards one student and even went as far as to mock others. Personally As a parent, it's troubling. This was brought to the attention of the employer. Otherwise the faculty and building seem great.

What a wonderful daycare! My daughter went to this school and my son is currently enrolled here!…read moreThe teachers are fantastic and the teaching tools they use are great! The children always seem happy when they are there and the teachers really do care about the kids! If you are searching for a daycare for your little, I definitely suggest you give this place a shot! The prices are beyond reasonable, with options for part-time or full-time. We started part-time but our daughter begged to stay longer so we switched to full-time. Thank you, Mt Scott Jubilee, for taking such good care of both our children!

My previous review is below. No words... Not an inclusive school. Parents beware…read more So far our experience (us & our 3 yr old) son) has been wonderful! The teachers are so warm and patient, it is a safe environment and they really seem to focus on each child's individual needs. They are completely reasonably priced and seem very experienced. I have already seen a drastic/fantastic change in my young son. He looks forward to his days here and I am so happy that he is flourishing! This is a great educational foundation for him

I had two children who attended St. Agatha School (PreK through 8th grade). Wonderful education!…read more They both excelled in high school due to the education and study skills they learned at St. Agatha School! Of course, there issues with fellow classmates, but that's real life! You learn to work with difficult people! We were very involved with all aspects of being parent volunteers, wouldn't change our decision to send our children to school there!

Our family dedicated five years to this school community. We had three children enrolled,…read morevolunteered countless hours, supported fundraising efforts, participated in school events, and genuinely believed we would remain part of this community for many more years. Like any engaged parents, we raised concerns when we believed our children--or other children and families--were being treated unfairly or when situations involving faculty, volunteers, or school culture warranted attention. Some of those concerns involved exclusion, favoritism, and treatment that we felt was inconsistent with the values the school teaches. We brought these concerns forward respectfully and through the proper channels because we cared deeply about the school and believed that addressing problems is part of building a healthy community--not because we wanted conflict. Instead of working toward meaningful dialogue or resolution, we were ultimately informed by school and parish leadership that we had raised too many concerns and that our family and children did not belong at the school. Shortly thereafter, our children's enrollment contracts were not renewed. The most heartbreaking part has been the impact on our children. After five years, they are being forced to leave behind their closest friends, teachers they love, and the community that has been such a significant part of their lives. As parents, watching them bear the consequences of adults' decisions has been devastating. If you are considering this school, I encourage you to ask not only what values it teaches, but how it responds when engaged families respectfully raise difficult concerns. Our experience was that advocating for our children and bringing concerns directly to leadership ultimately resulted in our family being excluded from the community. We are deeply saddened by how our family's time at this school ended. We never imagined that respectfully advocating for our children would result in being told that we did not belong.