The Portland School of Experiential Education

The other «not recommended» review on here by Rick J. is SPOT ON. This place is gorgeous and easy to get swept up by, but the dark side reveals itself slowly. The communication is entirely one-​way. They send needlessly long, tedious emails, but can’t seem to be bothered to reply to emails from parents, or actually have any sort of back-​and-​forth correspondence. They have strict «rules,» that they apply when convenient. For example, the children are supposed to open the classroom doors themselves and let themselves in, but one day the teacher came out and picked up my child, and refused to let me give him a hug goodbye.
During the open house/​tour, one of the teachers said that they will know the kids better than the parents because the kids will be spending more time with them at school than at home. That was a MAJOR red flag for me, but I put it in the back of my mind, assuring myself that that will clearly never be the case. However, that is definitely the teachers’ attitude. They don’t take parents’ concerns, opinions, or desires into account, essentially dismissing them outright.
The art is pretty, but I can’t wait to get my kid out of there.

I was so surprised that no one has posted a review of my kid’s school.
PDXED has been an amazing experience for my family.
This place is great for so many reasons.
Where to start?
The staff, the hours (6:30−6pm), the projects, the facility, a library even…
The children go outside everyday to play, EVERYDAY!!!
And they go to the huge gym EVERYDAY too!!!
They do tons of original, creative art projects.
The toys are mostly wooden, but not over-​the-​top-​so-​natural that it’s boring.
(Yawn Yawn, you know what i mean portland parents!!!)
There is even a huge art studio for the kids to do art work in.
The staff are so invested in the little ones, they watch them with a close eye, and it makes me feel good (safe). But my kid loves his teachers soooo much.
Also wanted to say that the food seems healthy and natural and good too. My kid is being exposed to foods I’d never dream of trying to feed him & I’ve seen his eating habits change since he’s began school there.
Lots of talk about Taco Tuesday.
The school is on the top floor of a church, which can be awkward, lots of stairs and doors and doorbells and door handles… all good exercise I guess.
My bottom line is this;
My kid comes home so peaceful & actually using the manners he learns at school. I can literally just feel a calmer vibe from him on the days he attends.
It’s awesome there for him. He loves it!