Portland Forest School

About this program

Portland Forest School is a Cognia-accredited private K-8 school located in Portland, Oregon, where education meets nature through a nature-first, earth-skills based approach. Established in 2016 under Trackers Earth with a single kindergarten class, the school has grown into a full outdoor academic program serving students through 8th grade. In 2023, Portland Forest School transitioned to non-profit status, reinforcing its commitment to providing enriching educational experiences rooted in the natural world. What makes Portland Forest School unique is its holistic curriculum that prioritizes daily outdoor learning in forest settings throughout the greater Portland metro area. The school maintains exceptionally small class sizes with a maximum 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio, fostering deep relationships and personalized attention. The program cultivates resilience, curiosity, and creativity while building a thriving community based on diversity, relationships, and interconnectedness among students, families, staff, and the natural environment.