Portland Preschool of the Arts
An Arts Based Preschool Education for 3-5 year olds
If you are on this page then you are looking for one of the most important things in your child's life: A stable safe place away from home where they can make good friends, begin to exploring our world with curiosity, and gain the confidence, and social/emotional skills to thrive in elementary school and beyond. You have come to the right place. Read more about our teaching philosophy, sign-up today, or schedule a tour of our classroom below!
We believe that school should be FUN
Promoting a lifelong love of learning!
Our Philosophy
We are a child-focused, constructivist, exploration and discovery-based preschool. We care about children and giving our students the space to explore their own young minds, follow the ideas that strike them, learn from their mistakes, and take pride in their accomplishments. We want kids to be excited about figuring out the way the world works by inspiring curiosity and encouraging rich imagination-based play. We strive to cultivate curiosity, creativity, concentration, openness, and social understanding. We believe that every child is filled with wonder and potential and their innate curiosity drives their interest to understand the world and their place in it.
Letting Curiosity Guide Us
Using imagination and questioning to discover new ideas!
Goals
We strive to make sure that every kid who comes to our preschool leaves our classroom with:
A Disposition to Question
Students who are encouraged to be curious in their learning environment better retain information and develop the skills needed to challenge big ideas.
A Love of Learning
Learning is fun! We strive to make every learning opportunity an experience that engages our students and promotes meaningful relationships between students and the curriculum.
Improved Self-confidence
When children see value in themselves as individuals, they are more likely to succeed in their education and connect more meaningfully with their community.
Greater Social Competence
Learning social competence is fundamental to raising empathetic children who are able to express themselves and exercise safe social behaviors.
Activities At Our School
About Our Program
Location: 4707 SE Belmont, PDX, OR 97215
Hours: Monday - Friday
Drop-off : 9:00AM
Pick-up: 1:00PM
Ages: 3-5
Holiday Closures: We operate according to the PPS District Calendar. Check it out here!
Do Students Need To Be Potty-Trained?: Yes, in order to enroll in any of our programs, all children must be potty-trained.
Do you offer tours of your school before signing up? Absolutely! We know that choosing the right school for you child is an important moment for every family. We’d love to show you around our classroom - just schedule a tour here!
Do you offer make-up days? We are happy to offer roll over days for illness as many days as your child is enrolled a week. Vacation days are not included. Your make up days must happen in the same month. There is no "banking" of days.
When do you accept new students? We accept new students throughout the year as long as there is space available. Feel free to reach out via email/phone to inquire about enrollment today!
Rates per Month
One (1) Day / Week: $249
Two (2) Days / Week: $441
Three (3) Days / Week: $601
Four (4) Days / Week: $729
Five (5) Days / Week: $905
*There is a yearly materials fee of $150 per student. Materials fee acts as an enrollment fee to hold your spot in the preschool and is non-refundable.
**We are one of the only schools on Portland that prorates for certain months throughout the year. To see the days our Preschool is closed for the 2023-2024 School Year, check out the Portland Public School District Calendar here.
*** While we do offer one (1) day per week enrollment, we recommend signing up for at least three (3) days per week to allow your child the most benefits from their preschool education.
Daily Schedule
MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9AM - 1PM
9:00 AM: School begins
9:00AM - 9:30AM: Free Art & Play (Childs Choice)
9:30AM-9:50AM: Snack Time
9:50AM-10:00AM Bathroom Break/ Body check in
10:00AM - 10:30AM: Exploration time (Childs Choice)
10:30AM-11:00AM: Story time or Sing Along
11:00AM - 11:45AM: Group Art making Lesson
11:45AM-12:00PM: Bathroom Break/ Body check in
12:00PM - 12:30PM: Lunch Time
12:30PM - 12:40PM: Group clean up
12:40PM-12:50PM DANCE PARTY/ GET YOUR WIGGLES OUT!
12:50PM - 1:00PM: Last chance bathroom breaks and backpacks on.
1:00PM: It’s pick-up time. See you tomorrow Friends.
2024/2025 Calendar
We follow the PPS school calendar. There are 12 inservice days throughout the year and 8 early release days. Here are the list of days we have different hours or are closed.
Dates: 9-25-24 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
10-11-24 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
10-23-24 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
11-1-24 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
11-4-24 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
11-11-24 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
11-20-24 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
11-25/11-29 Closed for Thanksgiving Break.
12-18-24 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
12-23/1-3-25 Closed for Winter Break.
1-20-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
1-27-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
1-28-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
2-17-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
2-26-25 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
3-3-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
3-19-25 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
3-24/3-28 Closed for Spring Break
4-4-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
4-7-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
4-23-25 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
5-21-25 Early release day our hours will be from 8:30am to 11:30am.
5-26-25 We are closed for the day (PPS in-service day.)
Our last day of the school year at the Preschool & our party will be on 6-13-24 from 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Summer classes start for our Preschool!!!
Using Art to Understand The World
We believe art education is imperative to a well-rounded education!
Meet Our Teachers
Teacher Emily
Emily Horton (she/her) is a life-long artist with a love for multiple mediums, though spends the majority of her creative time drawing, illustrating, painting, and writing. Emily has extensive experience as a childcare professional and spent six years providing compassionate, respect-based care for infants, toddlers, and adolescents as a nanny. Her approach is informed by Montessori teaching methods and gentle parenting techniques, while emphasizing creative expression, open communication, and empathy.
In addition to working as a nanny, Emily also uses the skills acquired during her decade in the service industry and co-owning a vegan coffee shop in SW Portland. She received her Bachelor of Arts from The Evergreen State College in 2015 where she studied Gender and Cultural Studies as well as visual arts, performing arts, and American Sign Language. When it comes to teaching art, Emily’s goal is for kids to find authenticity and joy in their practice. Her belief is that, in exploring those two elements, young minds will develop the confidence to share not only their art but their ideas and voice, as well.
She loves to cook; is an avid consumer of auditory media; adores being outside and moving her body; and cherishes quality time spent with loved ones. She currently resides in NE Portland with her wildly cool dog, Kuzco!
Where Everyone is Welcome
All children deserve an educational environment that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming!
A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
We actively seek diversity in our classroom and welcome children of any race, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, disability, or national origin in to our space. We believe every child deserves access to a preschool education! Every child who walks through our door learns that at Portland Preschool of the Arts they are welcome, safe, and free to explore their creative minds while making new friends! We are a hate-free zone where learning is our game and making friends is our mission.