School Reinvented

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For over 50 years, we have helped underserved and underestimated students thrive through equity, advocacy, and rigorous academics.

Our Programs

Open School East

Open School East is an alternative high school in East Multnomah County that offers high-quality, identity-affirming, and relationship-based learning to students in grades 9-12.

Step Up

In partnership with public high schools across Portland, Step Up is an in-school, near-peer mentorship and advocacy program that helps students stay engaged and on track to graduate.

Literacy Liberators

To address gaps in early literacy, this community-based, high-impact tutoring program equips community members with the tools, skills, and resources to advance literacy outcomes and achieve economic mobility.

News and Announcements

Literacy Liberators Launches Summer Pilot in North Portland

A new summer program pairs high school mentors with elementary students to strengthen literacy and leadership.

Literacy Liberators is launching a new pilot program at the Regence Boys & Girls Club in New Columbia, where Jefferson High School students completed a four-day fellowship to become literacy tutors for kids in grades 1-3. By pairing young readers with tutors from their own community, the program helps prevent summer learning loss, build confidence, and develop the next generation of leaders.

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"Step Up builds relationships with students and families and do things that schools aren't able to do. They connect kids to school in a really meaningful manner."
Chris Frazier
Principal at Franklin High School
“They are crucial for our Black and brown students. They are Black Lives Matter. They are there for those kids and those families to support them through everything, mental, social and emotional. They provide a community for those kids in the school.”
Tanesha Dawson
Step Up Parent
“Before I came to Open School, I struggled academically and it wasn’t easy to ask for help. Teachers at Open School can relate to my life experiences. They make it known that their priority is to help me graduate and help me figure out the steps I need to get there. We work together.”
Open School East Student