Enrollment

2026-2027 Enrollment

We are at capacity for 2026-2027. We are accepting applications for incoming 3rd- and 4th-graders and will keep them on file in case of an unexpected opening.

2027-2028 Enrollment (Updated 10/12/26)

2027-2028 Enrollment Overview

Enrollment decisions are the most challenging part of operating a school like Activate. We meet so many wonderful kids and loving families, and most of them would be a great fit for our school. We wish we could accommodate everyone, but we can’t.

We currently have six 5th-graders, so we’ll have at least six openings in 2027-2028. Our retention rate since 2021 has been 100%, except for two students who moved out of the region, so one or two more openings are possible but unlikely.

Each year, we usually have six to eight openings and about 20 to 30 applications, with interest varying widely and a good percentage coming after we’re already full. For the 2024-2025 school year, the year after the PPS teacher’s strike, we had over 50 applications by the start of the school year. Because of PPS’s 2027-2028 school closures, we expect an influx of applications similar to the 2024-2025 school year, or perhaps more.

2027-2028 Tuition

Tuition has not been set yet. It’s currently $14,400, including aftercare until 5:00. Tuition will increase significantly next year, but it won’t exceed $19,000. We’re increasing tuition for a few reasons, but mainly to increase staffing. For context, the average tuition for a secular private school in the Portland metro area is $23,559.

Whom We’re Enrolling in 2027-2028

We are enrolling incoming 3rd and 4th-graders.

We consider gender in enrollment decisions and strive for balance. We receive a disproportionate number of applications from boys. This year, we have 7 girls and 11 boys, an improvement in balance from past years.

Supporting children with dyslexia is part of our mission, so we always enroll a few children with dyslexia. We also enroll children with average to above-average literacy skills because we believe dyslexic students benefit from learning alongside peers with stronger language skills.

We also consider other factors, such as how well they connect during shadow days, teacher recommendations, and more.

2027-2028 Application Process

You can complete the first two steps in either order.

  1. The parent(s) attend an information session/tour: tour sign-up. (These meetings are on alternating Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00. If parents don’t have childcare for their prospective student, the student can hang out with our aftercare group while the adults meet.)

  2. The parent(s) apply.

  3. The child’s current teacher completes a recommendation form. The parent emails the current teacher a link to the recommendation form: recommendation form.

  4. For applicants we believe are a good match for our program, we will schedule a meeting and tour with the child and their parent(s). The child is expected to participate in the meeting.

  5. After that meeting, if the parent(s), the child, and we feel that Activate could be a good match, we will schedule a shadow day, in which the child spends a school day with us.

Phone Meeting

Parents will learn about Activate’s curriculum, schedule, staff, and other important things during the group information session/tour, and they’ll have time to ask general questions. If a parent has private questions or specific questions about their child, they can schedule a 15-minute meeting with Greg, Activate’s director, by emailing him at greg@activateschoolpdx.com.

Enrollment Decisions

We will make most or all enrollment decisions by January 29, 2027; some will be made sooner.

Parents who receive acceptance notifications have two weeks to pay their deposit, which doubles as the first tuition payment, to hold their spot.

Parents who receive non-acceptance notifications won’t receive an explanation as to why their child wasn’t accepted, nor will they be told whether we'll consider their applications in the future. We don’t maintain an ordered waiting list. If parents let us know they’d like to be considered for a future opening, we’ll record that. If an opening becomes available and we think a past applicant is a good fit, we’ll offer it. For example, if a female 3rd grader with average academic skills left us mid-year, we’d probably reach out to a female 3rd- or 4th-grade applicant with similar skills, not whoever is next on a list.

What We Look for in Applicants

  • Applicants who are excited about Activate.

  • Applicants who love art.

  • Applicants who connect well socially during their shadow day.

  • Applicants who have similar academic skills to current or incoming students.

  • Applicants who are independent and self-directed.

  • Applicants who are curious and creative.

  • Applicants who are respectful and responsible.

  • Applicants with a sibling who is currently or formerly enrolled at Activate.

We value racial diversity, gender diversity, ability diversity, and religious diversity. We fully support LGBTQ students and LGBTQ households. We aspire to have a diverse student body.

Who We Cannot Accommodate

  • We cannot accommodate aggressive or destructive children because we lack the staffing, training, and resources.

  • We cannot accommodate runners (elopers) because we lack staffing and are on a busy street.

  • We cannot accommodate children who refuse to complete assignments or are otherwise defiant.

  • We cannot accommodate children who regularly disrupt others’ learning.

  • We cannot accommodate children who regularly need breaks during academic blocks. Our math block is 60 minutes long, and our literacy block is 80 minutes, with a 5-minute break in the middle. We expect our students, most of the time, to complete academic blocks without additional breaks. (Please note that children are not expected to sit in their seats for the entirety of these blocks.)

  • We cannot accommodate incoming third graders who are significantly less mature than their grade-level peers, as it's challenging for our fifth graders to be classmates with kids who act like first- or second-graders.