Open School Inc.

Mission

The mission of Open School, Inc. is to empower students who have been under-served and under-estimated. We support students on their journey to break limiting beliefs, navigate systemic oppression, and build their life goals. Our programs are built on three pillars of advocacy, equity, and academics.

Bottom Line for Portland

Open School Inc., founded in 1971 in Portland, Oregon, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving students who have been underserved and underestimated by traditional educational systems. For over 50 years, Open School has created inclusive, relationship-based learning environments that promote equity and academic excellence. With a mission to break down systemic barriers to education, Open School builds an educational community rooted in advocacy, equity, and academics. The organization envisions a future where every student can thrive, regardless of race or zip code, and aims to influence regional educational systems to better serve students impacted by systemic oppression.

Open School offers two primary programs: Open School East and Step Up. Open School East is an innovative high school program designed to support students in grades 9-12 as they get on track for graduation and transition to post-secondary pathways. The program features inclusive classrooms, relationship-based advocacy, and tailored academics that empower students to succeed. Step Up, a relationship-based mentoring program, guides students through their high school journey at three Portland Public high schools. Recent impact data highlights the success of these programs: 100% of seniors enrolled in Step Up graduated in the 2023-24 school year, while 81% of families reported improved student belonging. Open School East students earned credits at 2.4 times the rate of their prior academic environments, and the program achieved an 88% student retention rate and an 87% four-year graduation rate.

Quote

“I like to think of this school as my getaway from at-home problems. The teachers really take the time to understand how each one of the students’ brains work because everybody functions differently and learns differently” - Kayamanan, She/They, Open School East Student

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

When students graduate high school, they are more likely to experience stable housing, physical and mental health, and employment. Open School provides equity-based, identity-affirming programming to LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and low-income students. 

Partner(s)

Garnish Apparel has donated raffle items for attendants of the events.