At the Emerson School, we are guided by the following principles:

We will:

Maintain the highest level of academic and non-academic expectations for all students in an environment that fosters curiosity, purposeful debate, genuine problem solving, and excitement for learning.

Value each child as a truly unique learner with her or his own developmental timetable, and provide individual attention and support

Create a school environment in which students are active partners with their teachers.

Provide an integrated curriculum, which continuously builds on students' previous learning and experiences in a strong, supportive community.

Create an environment in which students are contributing members of the larger community, which will serve as a resource and extension of the classroom.

Integrate, honor, and celebrate individual and community diversity.

Provide parents the opportunity to play key roles in the school community.

Implement a variety of authentic assessment tools as a vital component of both the learning and accountability processes.

Recruit and serve a diverse population of students from all quadrants of the Portland Public School District.