About
Open School Programs are part of Open School, an educational nonprofit that includes Open School East, the Step Up program, and the Literacy Liberators program. Open School East is an alternative high school that offers identity-affirming, relationship-based learning for students in grades 9–12, and Step Up is an in-school, near-peer mentorship and advocacy program that keeps students engaged and on track to graduate. Literacy Liberators is a community-based tutoring program where Jefferson High School students completed a four-day fellowship to become literacy tutors for children in grades 1–3 through a new pilot program at the Regence Boys & Girls Club in New Columbia.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
For over 50 years, Open School has been an educational nonprofit dedicated to serving historically marginalized and underestimated youth across the Portland Metro area. Its mission is to eliminate race, poverty, and demography as predictors of student achievement and success, and to offer equity, advocacy, and academics in response to systemic inequities and one-size-fits-all education. The organization states that all students, regardless of zip code or background, deserve quality education and that its work focuses on students feeling seen, supported, and empowered at every stage of their academic journey.
Open School lists several core values: Compassion (seeking to understand), Candor (being direct and honest), Care (giving and receiving help), Credibility (doing what they say they will do), and Commitment (continuing to show up). Its stated focus areas include Equity, Advocacy, and Academic Excellence, with programming that is described as relevant, rigorous, and responsive and that prepares students for graduation and their desired post-secondary path. All program offices are located at 16570 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97233.
The organization partners with Reynolds School District, Portland Public Schools, Portland Children’s Levy, Gresham-Barlow School District, David Douglas School District, and Centennial School District. One principal describes the Step Up program as building relationships with students and families and doing things that schools are not able to do, connecting kids to school in a meaningful way. A Step Up parent describes the program as crucial for Black and brown students and as providing support for students and families through mental, social, and emotional challenges, as well as a sense of community in the school. An Open School East student shares that before attending Open School, they struggled academically and found it hard to ask for help, and that teachers at Open School relate to their life experiences, prioritize helping them graduate, and work with them to figure out the steps needed to get there.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
For over 50 years, Open School has been an educational nonprofit dedicated to serving historically marginalized and underestimated youth across the Portland Metro area. Its mission is to eliminate race, poverty, and demography as predictors of student achievement and success, and to offer equity, advocacy, and academics in response to systemic inequities and one-size-fits-all education. The organization states that all students, regardless of zip code or background, deserve quality education and that its work focuses on students feeling seen, supported, and empowered at every stage of their academic journey.
Open School lists several core values: Compassion (seeking to understand), Candor (being direct and honest), Care (giving and receiving help), Credibility (doing what they say they will do), and Commitment (continuing to show up). Its stated focus areas include Equity, Advocacy, and Academic Excellence, with programming that is described as relevant, rigorous, and responsive and that prepares students for graduation and their desired post-secondary path. All program offices are located at 16570 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97233.
The organization partners with Reynolds School District, Portland Public Schools, Portland Children’s Levy, Gresham-Barlow School District, David Douglas School District, and Centennial School District. One principal describes the Step Up program as building relationships with students and families and doing things that schools are not able to do, connecting kids to school in a meaningful way. A Step Up parent describes the program as crucial for Black and brown students and as providing support for students and families through mental, social, and emotional challenges, as well as a sense of community in the school. An Open School East student shares that before attending Open School, they struggled academically and found it hard to ask for help, and that teachers at Open School relate to their life experiences, prioritize helping them graduate, and work with them to figure out the steps needed to get there.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
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