Where community, academics, and nature come together
A private school in Portland, OR with small class sizes where Kindergarten - 8th grade students journey outside & into nature every day.
What Families Are Saying
“My son tried our neighborhood middle school and another private school before we found Portland Forest School. He is truly in his happy place at PFS. He said to me after Winter Break recently, "I'll bet most kids are wishing they had more days off from school, but I'm excited to be back." He loves being in the outdoors doing academics through wilderness training. He regularly and spontaneously talks about how his teacher Jian is one of the best he has ever had.
PFS has been so flexible in meeting our son's needs, and they bring out his best and celebrate him. So so glad we found them.”
— James Jeffrey-West“My 10-year-old has thrived at Portland Forest School for the past two years. The caring, energetic, and thoughtful teachers create an engaging outdoor classroom environment. It's been a great fit for my nature-loving child, who enjoys staying active throughout the day. Each day begins with some learning in the brick-and-mortar classroom before heading out to a different outdoor location, which may range from a local park to a state park or other natural areas. I've noticed that students gain confidence and responsibility through rotating daily roles, such as Squire, Pathfinder (leading the line), and Weather Checker. Portland Forest.”
— jen scales“Great to Environment for kids with ADHD. Small class sizes, amazing teachers, and the opportunity to learn outdoors.”
— sarah Gallops“This school has been the absolute best thing to happen to my child. He is a confident, 9 year old with a firm grasp on his academic studies, as well as a growing understanding of earth science. I hope some day this school and schools like it can be the norm for ALL children.”
— Kelsey smith
I Think the Magic is the School:
My son comes home from a day in the woods talking about how great it was being outside, but also the new math equation they learned using nature materials. He doesn’t even think he’s learning, but he is slowly getting smarter. He says it’s by magic. I think the magic is the school.
Have Nature with You:
My child has been a student at Portland Forest School since kindergarten and has thrived in the nature-based setting, intimate class sizes, and nurturing community. She loves going to school and during breaks, counts the days until her return.
Middle School Switch:
We switched him to the Portland Forest School and then he thrived. He reconnected with his love of learning and with himself. I credit the Forest School for saving my son, and my heart. It hurt to see him shrinking in the public school setting. It hurt to have him come home after a day of sitting in a desk to want to only sit at a computer to play video games.
Transition from PPS in 2nd Grade:
My son is a careful kid, he didn’t much care for getting dirty. I was excited for him to get messy and get out of his comfort zone but I wasn’t sure how the transition would go…
What we Wanted for Middle School:
I wanted her to gain the self assurance, confidence, strength and resiliency that comes with being outside in all weather, connecting to our natural world and learning survival skills that reminds her she can preserver on her own.
