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International School of Portland

United States, Portland

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 400
Type Co-educational
Opened 1990
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages English, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 14
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

International School of Portland is an independent private IB World School offering preschool through elementary education with language immersion in Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. The IB Primary Years Programme uses inquiry-based learning across core subjects through three immersion tracks - Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese, with English support as needed. The Spanish Track teaches the IB curriculum entirely in Spanish and culminates in a 5th-grade Capstone trip to a Spanish-speaking country, earning International Spanish Academy designation. The Japanese Track features native-level teachers and a Japanese-immersion IB curriculum, culminating in a 5th-grade Capstone Study Abroad trip to Japan; older students may complete Avant STAMP 4S and pursue Seals of Biliteracy. The Chinese Track is the longest-running immersion program in the region, with Mandarin-taught math, science, and social studies within the IB framework, culminating in a 5th-grade Capstone trip to a sister school in China. English instruction supports immersion learners and aligns with standards.

2305 S Water Ave, Portland, OR 97201, United States

The Essentials

International School of Portland has 400 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, English.

Location
2305 S Water Ave, Portland, OR 97201. The campus sits just south of downtown Portland on the edge of the South Waterfront District, an urban area with multiple play spaces and a garden. The six ISP buildings and four outdoor spaces are on private blocks between Naito Parkway and Harbor Drive. The campus is easily accessible by public transit and is integrated with the surrounding urban environment.

Stages
The school comprises Early Childhood and Elementary levels. Early Childhood includes PreK and LowK; Elementary covers Grades 1 through 5.

Type
Independent private IB World School offering preschool through elementary education. It provides language immersion in Chinese, Spanish, and Japanese.

Additional learning support
Student Support provides academic and social-emotional support with individualized plans designed by classroom teachers and specialists. The team collaborates with families and does not diagnose or label students; plans may be implemented for 4–6 weeks.

School day structure
School days begin at 8:00am with arrival allowed up to 30 minutes before. From 8:30am to noon, students participate in morning learning and activities. Lunch and outdoor play occur from noon to 12:45pm, followed by nap or quiet time for younger students; afternoons include art, PE, and music, with library visits.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
ISP Lunch Ordering provides a school lunch program with two partners. On Wednesdays, Olia Poke and Tea delivers lunch, and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays Fusion School Lunches provides meals. Lunch orders are placed online via the Olia or Fusion ordering systems; Fusion's menus change monthly and use local produce where possible; the kitchen is peanut-, tree-nut-, fish-, and shellfish-free to accommodate allergies.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for establishing and safeguarding ISP's mission, setting policies, and overseeing financial resources, facilities, and budget. The Board comprises volunteers from diverse professional backgrounds and includes Executive Committee and committees such as External Affairs, Governance, Operations, Equity, and Endowment; board meetings are open to the school community.
Fees
Application & Enrollment Fees

- Application fee: USD 75 (one-time, non‑refundable) for new applicants.
- Enrollment (acceptance) deposit: USD 500 (one-time, non‑refundable) required with the enrollment contract for new students. Enrollment contracts for new students are mailed in February and the USD 500 deposit must be returned by the end of March to hold the place.

Tuition fees (annual) — main day-school programs

- K–5 (elementary, highest grade offered): USD 23,810 per year. Use of school payment plans (see Billing & Payment Terms) affects timing of payments but not the annual total.

- PreK / LowK: tuition varies by enrollment option (part‑week, full‑week, half‑day vs full‑day) and may be pro‑rated for students who start after the designated start date. The school's published tuition schedule describes those different PreK/LowK enrollment options and pro‑rating rules.

Tuition presented as payment-plan installments (example, K–5 at USD 23,810)

- Full Pay Plan: entire balance due by July 31 (Full Pay amount = USD 23,810).
- 60/40 Plan: 60% due by July 31 (USD 14,286) and remaining 40% due by January 1 (USD 9,524).
- 10‑Month Plan: 10 equal monthly installments starting August 1 (10 × USD 2,381).

(The installment amounts above are simple arithmetic based on the published annual tuition for K–5 and the school's three payment-plan options; they show how the annual charge is split under each available plan.)

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Payment plans available: Full Pay (entire balance by July 31), 60/40 (60% by July 31 and 40% by January 1), and a 10‑month monthly plan (10 equal payments beginning August 1). These plans determine due dates for tuition installments.
- Sibling discount: 10% off the least expensive program for a second child and 15% off the least expensive program for a third child. The discount is applied based on the Full Pay Plan rate for the selected enrollment option.
- PreK start and pro‑rating: PreK students must be age 3 at the start of the school year (with designated start dates) and tuition will be pro‑rated for PreK students who start after the designated start date. "Full day" and "half day" definitions are published for Early Childhood and affect tuition.

Boarding

- Boarding is not offered. The school is an independent preschool and elementary day school (PreK through Grade 5).

Other costs and common additional fees

- Lunches: billed separately; parents should plan to pay separately for student lunches.
- Durable school supplies and personal items: some durable supplies (items students keep and reuse) are not included and are billed or purchased separately by families; most consumable school supplies, many festival costumes, two class parties per year, student books, field trips and many classroom supplies are included in tuition.
- Optional after‑school classes and enrichment (Global Kids / After‑School Enrichment Clubs): these programs carry separate fees; refund and cancellation rules apply (for example, refunds for enrichment clubs are not issued after billing one week prior to the start; Global Kids refund/cancellation policies and non‑refundable reservation fees are published with those program pages).
- School spirit shop / uniform items: the school operates a spirit shop; parents purchase spirit‑wear and other optional apparel items separately. Most day‑to‑day classroom supplies are provided.

Refund information (applicable items)

- Enrollment deposit refund: the USD 500 enrollment deposit is non‑refundable when required with acceptance/enrollment contracts.
- Pro‑rated PreK tuition: PreK tuition may be pro‑rated for students who start after the designated start date (the school publishes its pro‑ration rules).
- After‑school / club refunds: enrichment club billing carries a one‑week prior cutoff; refunds are not issued after that billing point. Global Kids program cancellations made more than seven calendar days before a program date may be eligible for a refund (minus any non‑refundable reservation fee) per the Global Kids policies.

Fee payment options (how families commonly pay)

- The school uses FACTS for tuition‑support (financial aid) applications, and FACTS is widely used by independent schools to manage billing and payment plans. FACTS supports ACH (automatic bank withdrawal) and credit/debit card payments and can administer payment plans, so families should expect to be able to use ACH or credit/debit card payment methods through FACTS where the school uses that service. This is an operational inference based on the school's use of FACTS for financial‑aid processing and FACTS' payment capabilities.

- Practical payment methods you will encounter when completing enrollment and bills typically include: automated bank draft (ACH), credit/debit card (convenience fees may apply through payment processors), and paper check where accepted; the school's billing system and FACTS (if used for tuition billing) will list the exact available methods and any processing fees.

Summary (key practical points for a parent)

- Expect an application fee (USD 75) and a required non‑refundable enrollment deposit (USD 500) to hold an offered place.
- K–5 annual tuition is USD 23,810; PreK/LowK tuition varies by schedule (part‑week/full‑week, half/full day) and may be pro‑rated. Payment timing is handled by one of three plans (Full Pay by July 31, 60/40 with dates, or a 10‑month plan starting August 1). Sibling discounts are available.
- Lunch, some durable supplies, and optional after‑school or enrichment programs are billed separately; many consumable supplies, books, field trips, and the 5th‑grade capstone trip are included in tuition. Refund rules differ by item (enrollment deposit is non‑refundable; after‑school program refunds follow the program's policy).

If you would like the exact published line‑by‑line tuition schedule (for example PreK 2‑day/3‑day/5‑day half vs full‑day rates) or any itemized program fees, those are provided in the school's published tuition schedule and program pages.
Academics

International School of Portland teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
The International School of Portland offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for Grades 1–5, with inquiry-based learning across math, science, social studies, and language arts. Instruction is delivered through one of three immersion tracks—Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese (Mandarin)—with English language instruction integrated. The Spanish Track teaches the IB curriculum entirely in Spanish and culminates in a 5th-grade Capstone trip to a Spanish-speaking country, and the program includes International Spanish Academy designation. The Japanese Track is the premier Japanese language immersion program in the United States, with native-level teachers and a full Japanese immersion IB curriculum; the track culminates in a 5th-grade Capstone Study Abroad trip to Japan, and older students complete the Avant STAMP 4SE and may earn Seals of Biliteracy. The Chinese Track is the longest-running Chinese immersion program in the Pacific Northwest, with Mandarin taught math, science, and social studies within the IB framework; the track culminates in a 5th-grade Capstone trip to a sister school in China. ISP's English instruction supports immersion learners, and the curriculum aligns with Oregon Standards for Science, National Social Studies Standards, and Common Core for Math within IB units.

Student Teacher Ratio
No more than 20 students per class (our average class size is even smaller).

Exam Results
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments are used for 2nd–5th graders to measure English Reading, Mathematics, and English Language Usage, administered by NWEA. ISP provides a chart comparing MAP results with Oregon's OSAS and National NAEP standards, illustrating relative performance. Math performance is notable because math is taught in the track language and the results are presented with English-language testing. By 3rd grade, the vast majority of ISP students catch up to their English-only peers, and by 5th grade many surpass them.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ISP's Student Support Team provides academic and social-emotional support. The Team includes a Head, a Learning Support Specialist, and a Counselor who collaborate with administrators, teachers, families, and outside providers. They develop individualized plans of support implemented by all faculty who work with the student and aim to empower students to develop self-efficacy, independence, and to celebrate learning diversity. The SST does not diagnose or label students and uses a multi-tiered, classroom-based approach to interventions. Assessments and progress updates inform targeted actions, with referrals initiating 4-6 week intervention periods.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ISP does not have separate on-site programs or resources for special needs. The Student Support Team offers support for students who cannot fully access the curriculum through Student Support Plans (an ISP version of an IEP) developed with teachers and families. Plans are data-driven and include targeted interventions with progress monitoring and optional outside supports. Small class sizes and collaborative partnerships support students with learning differences to thrive. The SST does not diagnose or label students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English program develops reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting skills. Language learning is taught through inquiry, with attention to each child's individual pace for transferring literacy across languages. The English team differentiates instruction based on data collected from each student. There are four full-time English teachers and one full-time English Learning Support Specialist. First grade receives English instruction for one hour daily; 2nd–5th grades receive two hours every other day.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the SST framework that addresses social-emotional growth. A Counselor is part of the Student Support Team and works with families and teachers on social-emotional development. Interventions are individualized and designed to build resilience within the bilingual immersion setting. Regular communication with families keeps them informed about progress and goals. The approach emphasizes inclusive practices and collaboration to foster a safe, supportive learning community.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1990, International School of Portland was the first International Baccalaureate elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. The school offers full immersion in three language tracks—Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese—under one roof. It has been an IB World School since March 2010, and was the first IB World School in the Pacific Northwest. The campus is located south of downtown Portland, on the edge of the South Waterfront District, providing an urban setting with multiple play spaces.

Community
Since its founding in 1990, the International School of Portland has brought together people from many countries and backgrounds to develop multilingual global citizens. The school fosters a culture of community and support through small class sizes that help staff and students develop close relationships. The diversity of ISP's community informs life at the school, as students learn to appreciate and communicate with people from all backgrounds. The IB mission and values knit the community together and guide interactions, while families are encouraged to share heritage, participate in celebrations, and engage in service.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The ISP Parent Network's mission is to strengthen, enhance and encourage the educational and community environment at International School of Portland. Reformed in spring 2015, it serves to identify and organize volunteer support and to strengthen relationships, communication, and collaboration between parents, faculty, and administrators. It is led by a Steering Committee and works in close collaboration with school administration and staff, aligned with ISP's values, vision and policies. Membership is free and open to all parents and guardians of currently enrolled students. Volunteering at ISP automatically makes you a participant in the Parent Network and offers opportunities to meet teachers and other families, contribute to school projects, and support the school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ISP's campus comprises six buildings and four outdoor play spaces, contained within private blocks between Naito Parkway and Harbor Drive. It is an urban oasis with multiple play areas and beautiful nature spaces just south of downtown Portland. The campus supports field trips to nearby cultural and scientific institutions, including the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Portland Japanese Garden, Lan Su Chinese Garden, and more. An on-site IQAir air-quality monitor provides real-time readings on campus air quality. The campus layout and amenities are designed to foster a close-knit learning community within a city setting.

Academic Facilities
ISP is an IB World School since March 2010 and was the first IB elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. The school offers full language immersion in three tracks—Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese—taught primarily in the immersion language. The elementary program emphasizes student-led inquiry for grades 1 through 5, with Early Childhood instruction taught by native-fluent speakers of the immersion languages. The multilingual library houses thousands of books in English, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish, with structured library classes and access to online databases. Capstone Study Abroad for 5th grade is included in tuition and provides a trip to China, Japan, or Mexico. The on-campus garden serves as a living laboratory for IB themes and supports science, ecology, and language learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Global Kids Extended-Day is a licensed after-school program with mixed language-track groups, outdoor time, enrichment activities, healthy snacks, and time to work on homework. ISP hosts Earth Day celebrations with campus activities and community involvement. The ISP Garden provides hands-on outdoor learning about plants, insects, and ecosystems and integrates with IB themes.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ISP is an IB World School since March 2010, the first IB elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. It provides full language and cultural immersion in three tracks — Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese — with instruction delivered primarily in the chosen language. The Capstone Study Abroad program for 5th grade is included in tuition and takes students to a country linked to their track language. In Grades 1–5, student-led inquiry drives learning as part of ISP's International Baccalaureate program.

Arts & Creative
Art, Music and PE are taught by specialists and reinforce IB central ideas. Art uses a spiraling curriculum for Grades 1–5, while Preschool and Kindergarten emphasize fine motor skills and foundational art concepts. Music introduces a world-repertoire through ensemble music, improvisation, composition, and movement. Physical Education develops gross motor skills and movement.

Cultural & Language
Language Immersion provides true immersion in Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Teachers speak only the chosen language and culture is embedded in school life, with a rigorous IB curriculum in the target language for language arts, math, social studies, and science; English language arts, fine arts, music and PE are taught in English. Native-level fluency among teachers supports accurate pronunciation and cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
Global Kids Extended-Day is a licensed childcare program with mixed language-track groups, led by Global Kids Group Leaders. Global Kids runs after the regular school day until 5:30 pm, with 10-week terms and staff fluent in the language tracks. Enrichment Clubs are ISP-led after-school offerings including LEGO Robotics, Flamenco Dance, Taiko, Photography, Maker Club, Yoga, Dance, Chess, Soccer, and more. Clubs run after-school from 3:30–4:45 pm on 10-week terms, with group sizes of 4–15 students and staffed by ISP personnel.

Community & Service
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion is the school's framework for inclusion and anti-racism, including a Reducing Bias Action Plan for 2021–2025 with eight domains such as Admissions, Community, Teaching & Learning, Hiring, and Salary Equity. DEI activities involve collaboration among faculty, staff, parents, and students. Volunteer opportunities exist through ISP, and the Garden program relies on family volunteers to support learning.

Leadership & Professional
Capstone Study Abroad is ISP's final-year program for 5th graders, traveling to a country tied to their track language and including two segments with host families and guided tours; the program is included in tuition. The Deloris A. Spear Center for Excellence in Teaching serves as the hub for educational innovation and professional learning, hosting in-person and virtual workshops and conferences for ISP and other educators. Capstone fosters independence and confidence as students prepare for middle school.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The campus is located just south of downtown Portland on the edge of the South Waterfront District and is described as an urban oasis with multiple play areas and nature spaces. The ISP Garden provides a living laboratory that promotes science education, healthy behaviors, teamwork, and responsibility. Global Kids Extended-Day offers after-school care with healthy snacks and enrichment activities. Language and culture immersion also contribute to a global, inclusive school culture aligned with the IB mission.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are Japanese, Mandarin (Chinese), and Spanish. Instruction is delivered primarily through language immersion across tracks, with English language arts and other subjects taught as well. ISOP serves preschool through elementary and provides student support through specialists in differentiated instruction and English language acquisition.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides bilingual education through total immersion in Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish for preschool through elementary. Core subjects (language arts, math, social studies, and science) are taught in the immersion language, with English language arts and other disciplines taught as well. Immersion track teachers have native-level fluency to support authentic pronunciation and language development.

Immersion Programs
Three immersion tracks are offered: Japanese, Mandarin (Chinese), and Spanish. The program uses an International Baccalaureate framework with core subjects taught in the immersion language and English-language arts integrated as well. The Japanese track is described as the premier Japanese language program in the United States, and all track teachers have native-level fluency.
Admissions

Admissions
01. Campus & Classroom Tours: In-person and virtual tours are available. Self-scheduling is available through MySchool App. If you do not yet have an account for the admissions portal, you can create one to access tours and admissions materials. The Director of Enrollment Management is available to answer questions by email or phone. 02. Events & Open Houses: ISP informational events, Open Houses, and sample classes are scheduled for the school year. The Spring Open House occurs on Friday, April 24, with two sessions (9:00 AM and 10:15 AM); registration is via MySchool App. You do not need to know the immersion language to attend a sample class. 03. Request More Information: Please submit an inquiry, and ISP will provide access to admissions materials and more information about the school. 04. Apply to ISP: Applications begin in September of the year prior to the student's start date. When all places are reserved, applicants are placed on a waitlist. Admission offers are first-come, first-served and do not consider financial aid applications. Enrollment contracts for new students are mailed in February and must be returned with a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit by the end of March; if not returned, offers become invalid and spaces are offered to wait-listed families. Applications received after April and during the school year are admitted if space is available. Application Instructions: MySchool App handles online inquiries, tours, admissions events, and applications; create a MySchool App account using an email you will access throughout the admissions season.

Scholarships
Tuition Support: Tuition support is available on the basis of demonstrated need and is provided in the form of grants and tuition discounts. It is based entirely on a family's ability to pay for tuition—no other criteria is used. Families must re-apply each year for continued support. Tuition support applies to students in all grades and plays no role in admission offers. Tuition support uses FACTS to receive and evaluate applications; the priority deadline for the 2026-27 school year is February 28. In 2023–24, the average aid recipient's household income was over $100,000, and an average award covered roughly one third of tuition. The Endowment supports need-based scholarships, including the Slater Scholarship Fund and the Greeney Family Fund for Japanese Track Scholarships, among others.

Waitlist
Waitlist: If all spaces are reserved, additional applicants are placed on a waitlist. Admission offers are made strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and do not take into account a family's financial aid application. Applications received after April and during the school year will be offered admission if space is available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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