Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio Emilia Education

While there are many educational philosophies and styles, not all are the right match for every child. Let’s take a look at some of the Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio Emilia schools in the area and some that are inspired by such approaches.

Waldorf 

“Waldorf schools offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education. They integrate the arts in all academic disciplines for children from preschool through twelfth grade to enhance and enrich learning. Waldorf education aims to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities.” -AWSNA

Montessori

The Montessori Method of Education, developed by Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children. Montessori’s method has been used for over 100 years in many parts of the world.

The Montessori method views the child as the one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It attempts to develop children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively.

Reggio Emilia

The Reggio Emilia Approach®️ is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It is a pedagogy described as student-centered and constructivist that uses self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery through a self-guided curriculum. At its core is an assumption that children form their own personality during early years of development and are endowed with “a hundred languages”, through which they can express their ideas. The aim of the Reggio approach is to teach how to use these symbolic languages (e.g., painting, sculpting, drama) in everyday life. It was developed after World War II by pedagogist Loris Malaguzzi and parents in the villages around Reggio Emilia, Italy, and derives its name from the city.

Cedarwood Waldorf School

Waldorf

3030 SW 2nd Ave, Portland – (503) 245-1477 

At Cedarwood, families learn, grow, and connect with community. They nurture children’s skills, creativity and inner strength, blending arts, academics and movement. Waldorf and NWAIS accredited.

Parent Child – 8th grade, $8,500 – $21,250/yr

Happy Hollow Children’s Center

Play-based, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf

Multiple Locations – (503) 646-3214

They are rooted in mentoring young learners to construct their own knowledge through hands-on learning and child-led exploration. 

Ages 2.5-12, $360-$1920/mo

Heart in Hand Preschool

Play-based, Waldorf, In-home

5405 NE 30th Ave, Portland – (503) 756-0470

Established in 2002, a Waldorf in-home preschool in Portland’s Alberta Arts district fosters creativity, curiosity, and nature connection through crafts, gardening, puppetry, and play-based learning.

Ages 3-5, $8200 – $14750/yr

Lakeshore Montessori School

Montessori

4803 NE 15th Ave, Vancouver – (360) 573-4103

Located just minutes from downtown Vancouver, they offer an exceptional Montessori program for wobblers/walkers through age 6. Alongside the esteemed Montessori preschool & kindergarten curriculum, the children also spend a lot of time outdoors – playing, digging, exploring, riding bikes and helping care for the school garden. 

Wobblers-age 6, $9000-$12000/yr (2023-24 rates)

Little Fruit Farm

Montessori

16445 SW Melinda St, Beaverton (503) 521-8603

Celebrating a Love for Learning since 2004. Beautiful Home & Garden School, Classical Montessori Activities year-round.  Ages 2-6, Contact for tuition details

Montessori of Alameda

Montessori

4210 NE Going, Portland – (503) 335-3321

Montessori of Alameda offers a bilingual (Spanish/English) preschool and kindergarten Montessori education for children ages infant to six years of age.

Ages 3 months-6 years, $17,000 – $26,000/yr

Montessori School of Beaverton (MSB)

Montessori

11065 NW Crystal Creek Lane, Portland – (503) 439-1597

MSB is an independent Montessori school located West of Portland. They specialize in child-centered learning & offer ample access to nature on their 6-acre campus.

Ages 3-12, $11,970-$14,530/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Play-based, Reggio Emilia, Inquiry Based 

6300 SW Nicol Rd, Portland – (503) 768-3115

Through an inquiry-based curriculum and hands-on exploration, OES instills a lifelong love for learning as students realize their power for good.

Pre-K – 12th Grade, $30,200-43,800/yr (day, pre-K–12th grade) $75,500/yr (boarding)

Portland Montessori Collaborative (pdxMC)

Montessori

4817 SW 53rd Ave, Portland – (503) 972-7100

pdxMC empowers young minds to flourish with curiosity, discovery, and compassion through a nurturing Montessori environment that cultivates a strong foundation for lifelong success. 

Ages 3 months – 5 years, $1425-$2060/mo

Portland Village School

Waldorf

4650 S Macadam Ave, Portland – (503) 445-0056

A public, K-8, Waldorf charter school nurturing and educating the whole child. Tuition-free to serve students from all backgrounds and cultures. Join them in our new S Waterfront location!

K – 8th Grade, Tuition-free

Portland Waldorf School 

Waldorf

2300 SE Harrison St, Milwaukie – (503) 654-2200

Their students are creative thinkers who are passionate about learning and making a difference. They engage the whole child, nurturing intellectual curiosity alongside artistic expression.

Ages 3-18, $10,210 – $22,820/yr

Rosebud Preschool

Play-based, Reggio Emilia

13505 SE River Road, Portland – (503) 652-3201

Guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, they emphasize art, environment & self-directed learning while integrating elders from Rose Villa’s senior living community.

Ages 2-5, Toddler: $1144 – $1976/mo, Preschool: $676 – $1430/mo (2 or 5 days/wk)

Sprout and Spark

Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Forest

3430 SW Palatine St, Portland – (503) 719-4365

They strive to spark joy, creativity, resilience and curiosity in each child and delight in helping them grow into responsible, independent, and compassionate lifelong learners.

Ages 2.5-6, $10000-$12000/yr

Sunstone Montessori School

Montessori

Multiple Locations (Woodstock & Milwaukie) – (503) 768-3847

At Sunstone Montessori School children cultivate their best selves and develop a life-long love of learning in academically strong, emotionally nurturing, and socially supportive environments.

Ages 16 months – 15 years, $1,510-$2,315/mo

Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm

Play-based, Waldorf, Outdoor Education

460 S Heather St, Cornelius – (503) 846-0336

They offer environmental education at their farm property and a rich Waldorf curriculum at their main campus, with robust academics, arts, music, and plenty of movement every day.

Pre-K – 8th Grade, $9,950 – $16,150/yr

The Children’s Garden

Project-Based

2035 NW Front Ave Suite 100, Portland – (971) 277 5535

TCG uses a balanced approach to help children grow and learn. They follow well-known teaching methods to make sure every child gets the best start. 

Ages 6 weeks – 6 years, $14,000-$30,000/yr

West Hills Montessori School

Montessori

SW Portland and Lake Oswego – (503) 246-5495

Since 1968, West Hills Montessori School has provided integrative learning experiences that foster empathy, creativity, academic skill-building, and joy in learning.

Ages 15 months – 12 years, $1,215-$1,985/mo

Woodhaven School

Play-based, Waldorf

8470 SW Oleson Rd, Portland – Contact via website

Woodhaven is a nature and play-based Waldorf inspired co-op serving the community for over 30 years. Nestled on a 3-acre fir tree forest property, they play outside everyday regardless of the weather.

Ages 0-6, $333.05 – $490.50/mo

*Montessori and Reggio Emilia educational approach information via Wikipedia

*Please note that Reggio Emilia Approach®️ and Waldorf®️ are registered service marks. While some schools have earned accreditation, others take inspiration from the above approaches. See individual websites for more specific information.