The Emerson School offers a truly unique and fantastic learning environment. My daughter is flourishing there after coming home in tears every day at her neighborhood school. We love the teachers, administrators and overall community. If you are lucky enough to get into this school you won't be disappointed.
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Posted by a parent on 03/29/09
I have been very happy with our experience at Emerson for the last three years. Not only is there a very strong community focus within the school, student learning also focuses on creating connections to the wider Portland community. I am pleased that my daughter is experiencing learning as a process
... Read more of inquiry, critical thinking, and reevaluations of old ideas. The project approach is what makes Emerson so unique and perfect for our family and our child. She is also developing a solid foundation in the essentials: reading, writing, math. The school also places a lot of positive emphasis on developing healthy social/emotional connections within the school. If issues arise, I have always felt free to discuss them with my daughter's teacher and with school leaders, who are compassionate, dedicated, and fully accessible and open to comment. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/11/09
I have two children at The Emerson School--one in third grade, the other in kindergarten--and have never regretted my decision to send them there. In fact, this school has been a gift. I volunteer regularly in a variety of capacities and have had the pleasure and opportunity to see the teachers and
... Read more staff at work. I am continually amazed at how respectful the adults are to the students in teaching them not only as students of school, but students of life. Both of my children are way ahead of their grade level in all subjects, but more than that, they are confident, independent thinkers and learners who are treated and encouraged as such by every member of the Emerson staff. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/10/09
I have two children at The Emerson School. We love the urban environment, the fact that the city is the classroom (with bus trips through Portland and walking trips through downtown as part of project-based learning). If you are looking for daily worksheets for your children, you will be dissatisfied.
... Read more Through 3rd grade homework is primarily reading books as a family and experiencing life. This is not because there is no accountability but because educational research shows no correlation between busywork such as worksheets or spelling memorization and later academic success. My 4th grader has regular meaningful homework. I find the accountability at Emerson much greater - the children are taught problem-solving, critical-thinking, planning, and conflict resolution, as well as strong reading, writing, math skills. I LOVE this school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/10/09
I have two students at The Emerson school. My son is in his fourth year as a 3rd grader and my daughter is in Kindergarten. I love that my children are learning to value themselves as learners and are seeing themselves and citizens of their school, community and of the world. The teachers are outstanding
... Read more and exceed my expectations in every way. I especially appreciate their communication and understanding that the home-to-school connection is so important in these early school years. I feel completely welcome to express any concerns to my children's teachers or the administration and I know that they will listen and help. My kids love their school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/09/09
I have had 2 children attend Emerson, one of whom is now in 7th grade in a neighborhood middle school. I found the program at Emerson to be exceptional in terms of how it prepared my child for middle school and beyond. My 7th grader has always found academics to be challenging, and yet has been on
... Read more the honor roll at middle school since the first 6th grade report card. Emerson taught the skills necessary to be a successful whole student, not just a successful test-taker. My child has organizational and study skills that were learned from Emerson teachers, and perseverence that was nurtured as a life skill since second grade. Emerson was truly a gift to her, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/05/09
As a former Emerson parent I would advise any parent considering this school to really think if this environment would work for their child. There is no accountability nor responsibilty for work to be completed which may be fine at Emerson but not in the real world . After two years at Emerson my child
... Read more has no tangible evidence of her time there. Teacher , though some very nice do not prepare your child for the work that lays ahead of them and my child will play catch up for the next few years for all the basics she missed as a student of Emerson. This has been a huge disappointment for us Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/05/09
We were overjoyed upon finding out our daughter got a slot at The Emerson School. The teachers are amazing and it's truly a community environment. The project based learning is effective and helps the child truly get an encompassed education versus ditto sheets and teaching for testing. The Emerson School
... Read more is truly a gem and we are incredibly thankful our children get such a positive start to their education. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/20/06
Having had my children in a high ranking public school, where they were bullied regularly by other students, not getting their academic needs met by their teachers (due to oversized classrooms) as well as their emotional needs, I was desperate to find a better alternative. I am so pleased that we were
... Read more accepted into Emerson and now my children are flourishing academically, socially, physically, emotionally! Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/09/06
Although classrooms my look disorganized to some there is always a high amount of learning going on. While the project approach may not work for some (it does tend to look like 'messy learning'it is great for those learners who are curious, hands on and self motivated. Extremely high parental involvement,
... Read more small classroom sizes (capped at 22). Children get to be involved and responble for their own learning. Teachers are facilitators and not just instructors. My daughter is reading well above grade level (far exceeding state expectations) and is also exceeding state expectations in math as well. Opportunities for some after school activities are available but this area could be improved on. Overall a great small school in terrific downtown location. Read less
* In 2007-2008 Oregon used the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in reading and math; in grades 4, 7 and 10 in writing; and in grades 5, 8 and 10 in science. The OAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Oregon. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.
Student enrollment:
126
Students per teacher:
16
Full-time teachers:
8
Number of classrooms:
6
{PROGRAMS_TAB_CONTENT}
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Portland schools — Emerson School is located at 105 Nw Park Ave, Portland OR 97209. 105 Nw Park Ave is in the Pearl neighborhood and 97209 ZIP code in Portland, OR The school district for Emerson School is the Portland School District 1j. Emerson School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 5.
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