Deering Center

We moved into the neighborhood because of its walkability and the reputation of Longfellow. We've loved walking the kids to school and the feeling in the halls of the school of acceptance and caring. The educational experience has been great, all the teachers we have had were committed and caring and taught to the kids' interests and skills. I did not feel they "teach to the test" or that they discouraged kids from thinking freely. The involvement of the parents, and an administration that works with parents to make sure their involvement helps the kids' experience, is a big plus. It's not the most diverse school in Portland, but compared to the schools in the suburbs it's like the United Nations. And it has a great deal of economic diversity. All in all, my only complaint is that the building clearly needs a renovation, given that it is 50+ years old and shows it. But I hear a renovation is in the works.