K-8th Grade Curriculum

Fostering Academic Achievement

Portland Forest School combines innovative, challenging, and engaging curriculum with immersive nature-based education to develop the student as a whole learner and critical thinker.

  • Rich and engaging outdoor experiences combined with lessons developed to meet Oregon Department of Education Common Core State Standards, create a challenging and stimulating learning environment.

  • Mixed grade classrooms allow staff and parents to collaborate to identify the learning “edges” for each student and work together to adapt curriculum to meet individual student needs for development and growth.

  • Earth skills - Students learn hands-on skills in both scientific inquiry and nature-based handcrafts. 

    • Science-based inquiry skills such as water quality evaluation, fire safety, forestry skills, plant identification, animal tracking, mycology, etc.

    • Students build hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills through carving, weaving and other nature-based crafts.

    • Using nature as a teacher, survival skills, resource gathering and management skills are interwoven into our curriculum through foraging, shelter building, archery, herbal medicine making and cooking over a fire

Curriculum Examples

Shown below are examples of past years by grade(s).

K-2nd Grade

K-2nd grade teacher with student outside for their academic day at Private School the Portland Forest School in Portland, OR

3rd Grade

3rd grade elementary school students learning outside at Private school the Portland Forest School in Portland, OR

4th Grade

Elementary school kids learning outside for their academic day at Private school the Portland Forest School in Portland, OR

5th Grade

Elementary students love learning outside all year at private school the Portland Forest School in Portland Oregon

6th & 7th Grade

Middle school students on outdoor adventures at private school the Portland Forest School in Portland, Oregon

8th Grade

Middle school students learning outdoor skills at the private school the Portland Forest School in Portland, OR
Elementary school student posing with nature at an outdoor private school, nonprofit school, alternative school, nontraditional school, the Portland Forest School in Portland, Oregon a community based, low ratio, open enrollment K-8th grade alternat
Kindergarten student in rain gear holding worms at outdoor private school in Portland, Oregon an alternative elementary and middle school using nontraditional methods with community based, low ratio, open enrollment for K-8th grades
Elementary school student pointing to a nature project outside at the private school, Portland Forest School in Portland, OR alternative school, nontraditional school, nonprofit school, private school with open enrollment, low ratio, community based
Middle school student holding a pinecone in the forest at an outdoor private school in Portland, OR a independent school, alternative school, nontraditional school, community based, low enrollment with low ratio for K-8th grades