Open Meadow is a Portland school that services small children to high-school-aged students. The school opened in 1971 to serve the homeless youth of Portland. Since then, the school has been a nurturing community for at-risk kids. The school provides career services and a structured learning environment, along with a safe environment to grow and become the individual a student wants to be.
The Northwest Academy educates 6th- to 12th-graders in academic programs that include artistic perspectives. The art curriculum at the Northwest Academy is the attractive quality of this school, including after-school programs such as jazz band. Besides a strong appreciation of the arts, Northwest Academy also provides college preparatory resources such as college counselors and college directory programs.
The Catlin Gabel School is recognized for its small classroom sizes, around a 7-to-1 ratio. The purpose of this is for teachers to really engage the students one-on-one without letting students feel left behind. The school prepares students for college with a strong curriculum in the maths, sciences, and additional programs such as the arts and computer technology. Instead of typical grades, there are Beginning, Middle, and Upper-level students. All Upper-level students must complete 15 hours of community service to graduate.
The Pacific Crest Community School lives up to its name by having students participate in the school governing process. Along with teachers and parents, students have an equal say and vote in how the school curriculum is run. This democratic spirit lives on in individualized curriculum for each student. A student works with a teacher concerning his educational track at the school. All students must enforce and learn how to respect others and participate in a civic environment at Pacific Crest.