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The school year is here, and we have a present for the Portland parents out there. Regardless of if you’re excited to see the end of summer vacation, or bummed to be spending less time with your mini-mes, this gift is for you. Behold, the Back to School in Portland special section. It’s gonna help you and the kiddos start the year strong (let’s be real, you need all the help you can get), and features eight local businesses to help make going back to school a breeze. Class is in session, and today’s lesson is all about local resources that will help you transition smoothly out of those rowdy summer months.
Opens in new window1615 SW 5th Ave.
St. Mary’s Academy is the state’s only all-girls Catholic college-prep school. Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, it serves 550 young women in grades 9-12. Its graduate’s college acceptance rate is 100% and SMA students achieve, excel and are recognized locally, regionally and nationally in academic fields, the arts, athletics, community services and extra- and co-curricular activities. Visit St. Mary’s Academy Open House on October 4, 2026. Visit stmarys.pdx.org to learn more.
Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Opens in new window800 NW 6th Ave., St. 332
Electronic Music Club helps kids go from music fans to music makers. At nearly 40 Portland-area schools, students use Ableton Live, synthesizers, drum machines, and MIDI controllers to build beats, explore sound, and create original music, all during convenient after-school hours. Programs are designed primarily for students in grades 2–8. Beginners are welcome, no traditional music experience is required, and EMC provides all equipment. Classes are offered directly at participating schools, with additional summer camps and special programs throughout the Portland area.
Immediately following the dismissal of participating schools and normal after school hours.
Opens in new window17 SE 8th Ave.
Looking for an after-school activity where your child can build confidence, make friends, and have a blast being creative? Portland Drama Club’s Fall After-School Productions are now enrolling. For more than a decade, Portland Drama Club has helped young people discover their voice through theater. Its programs welcome students of all experience levels and provide a supportive environment where kids learn acting, singing, movement, teamwork, and performance skills while creating something extraordinary together. Whether your child dreams of being center stage or simply wants to try something new, there’s a place for them at Portland Drama Club.
All programs start after normal school hours.
Opens in new window6300 SW Nicol Rd.
Imagine a school designed to meet the needs of its students, with a curriculum and teaching approach that is always evolving, innovative, and expansive. Imagine a community where your child is known, valued, and celebrated. Imagine your child at OES. All children pre-K through grade 12 are welcome. Visit Open House on Nov. 4 for pre-K through grade 5 or Nov. 8 for grades 6-12. Learn more at oes.edu/openhouse.
Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Youth Tennis Classes at Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E)
Opens in new window7519 N Burlington Ave.
Portland Tennis & Education is a place where kids play, learn, connect and grow!
Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or continuing to build their skills, PT&E youth tennis classes create opportunities to learn, play, build confidence, and connect with others.
- RED BALL | Ages 5–7
- A fun introduction to tennis focused on movement, coordination, and basic racket skills.
- ORANGE BALL | Ages 8–10
- Build confidence while developing strokes, footwork, rally skills, and tennis fundamentals.
- GREEN BALL | Ages 8–11
- For players with previous tennis experience who are ready to strengthen technique, consistency, and court awareness.
- YELLOW BALL | Ages 11+
- Develop complete tennis skills, including strokes, footwork, rallies, and point play.
- YELLOW BALL | Ages 14+
- Advanced training for experienced players preparing for high school tennis and competitive match play.
Find the right class for your kid, and register today! View current classes, schedules, and registration.
833 NW Santiam Blvd., Mill City
Opens in new windowOregon Charter Academy is a tuition-free, K–12 virtual public charter school offering flexible, personalized learning. With an engaging curriculum, dedicated teachers, and college and career readiness programs, it supports your child’s growth every step of the way. The school’s learning model emphasizes the four C’s—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity—to prepare students for success in school and beyond. ORCA provides Chromebooks and curriculum materials to enrolled students. It also offers student-led clubs, virtual and in-person field trips and events, and a variety of opportunities to help every student thrive.
For questions, call 503-897-2272. To learn more, visit oregoncharter.org .
Opens in new window2860 SE Holgate Blvd.
Tucker Maxon School was built for children who need a different approach to learning, communication, and development. It is a preschool-5th grade nonprofit private school offering individualized education, communication development, and small learning environments. For generations, Tucker Maxon has been nationally recognized for pioneering education for deaf and hard of hearing children. That same expertise now serves children with a broader range of communication and literacy needs, helping every child reach their full potential. Tucker Maxon follows a unique model in which students of all hearing abilities learn together in the same classrooms. It prioritizes the whole child, focusing on the development of empathy, confidence, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. Tucker Maxon relies on donations for as much as 50% of its budget; for information on ways you can support the school, go to tuckermaxon.org/contribute.
Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm.
Opens in new window1515 SE 37th Ave and 1420 SW 17th Ave.
Learn to fly with Echo Theater Company! Experience the joy of circus, aerial, and movement arts— from aerial silks, acrobatics, trapeze, tumbling, juggling, stilt-walking, and contortion to Baby Circus and Mindful Movement. With classes for kids, teens, and adults, the whole family can explore, play, collaborate, and take the stage in a creative, welcoming community. Echo offers financial aid, adaptable curriculum, and inclusion services for students of all abilities. There’s a place for everyone under the big top!
Programs run seven days a week in SE Portland and the Pearl.
Opens in new window8785 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.
Bring the kids to dance their hearts out! Elevate Dance Academy offers dance classes in all styles for ages 2.5-18. Children will receive excellent technique training, join a welcoming dance community, and enjoy month-to-month classes. Free trial classes available! Visit eda.dance to learn more.
Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 3:15 to 8:15 pm.
