Mission
For over 50 years, Open School has been an innovative educational nonprofit dedicated to serving historically marginalized and underestimated youth across the Portland Metro area.
We are committed to eliminating race, poverty, and demography as predictors of student achievement and success. All students, regardless of their zip code or background, deserve quality education. At Open School we lead in equity, advocacy, and academics to meet them where they are.
Our Three Pillars
Equity: We cultivate diverse, inclusive communities that uplift students and families as partners in their educational journey toward excellence and economic mobility.
Advocacy: We build strengths-based relationships between students and staff that empower youth to become self-determined and sovereign in their lives and learning.
Academic Excellence: We offer relevant, rigorous, and responsive programming that prepares students for graduation and their desired post-secondary path.
Our Mission
We believe every child deserves to learn and grow in an environment that meets them where they are. In response to systemic inequities and the limitations of one-size-fits-all education, we’re on a mission to create a more equitable future where underestimated and underserved youth feel seen, supported, and empowered at every stage of their academic journey.
Our Values
Our work ensures that students feel seen, supported, and empowered. These core values guide our community and culture:
- Compassion: We seek to understand.
- Candor: We are direct and honest.
- Care: We give and receive help.
- Credibility: We do what we say we will do.
- Commitment: We keep showing up.