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Welcome to the International School of Portland
About Us
Now more than ever, we need to teach our children, tomorrow’s global leaders, how to approach challenging issues with empathy and compassion. Welcome to the International School of Portland. For over thirty years, we’ve offered full language and cultural immersion in a warm, loving environment that encourages curiosity and kindness.
Get to Know ISP
Founded in 1990, International School of Portland was the first International Baccalaureate elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. We are one of only two schools in the United States – and perhaps the world – offering full immersion in three separate language tracks under one roof.
![A group of kids posing for a photo in a Japanese classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/fpyprobmz4exnfvaekqj/capstone.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/fpyprobmz4exnfvaekqj/capstone.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/fpyprobmz4exnfvaekqj/capstone.jpg","width":800}])
5th grade students utilize their language and cultural skills with a trip to China, Japan or Mexico. This trip is included with the cost of tuition.
![children playing on courtyard outside Learners Hall]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733869184/intlschoolorg/i7ckhzlt8l2eu7clg25f/LearnersCourtyard.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733869184/intlschoolorg/i7ckhzlt8l2eu7clg25f/LearnersCourtyard.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733869184/intlschoolorg/i7ckhzlt8l2eu7clg25f/LearnersCourtyard.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1733869184/intlschoolorg/i7ckhzlt8l2eu7clg25f/LearnersCourtyard.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1733869184/intlschoolorg/i7ckhzlt8l2eu7clg25f/LearnersCourtyard.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733869184/intlschoolorg/i7ckhzlt8l2eu7clg25f/LearnersCourtyard.jpg","width":1650}])
Located just south of downtown Portland on the edge of the South Waterfront District, our campus is an urban oasis with multiple play areas and beautiful nature spaces.
![A student speaks in front of a Spanish-language display]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/wj0ocavdhnrmtg7lskuw/internationalbaccalaureate.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/wj0ocavdhnrmtg7lskuw/internationalbaccalaureate.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/wj0ocavdhnrmtg7lskuw/internationalbaccalaureate.jpg","width":800}])
ISP has been an authorized IB World School since March 2010. It was the first school in the Pacific Northwest.
![Two students speak to each other at desks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/ml7vmdatgkrngrqrdcop/elementaryeducationoption.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/ml7vmdatgkrngrqrdcop/elementaryeducationoption.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/ml7vmdatgkrngrqrdcop/elementaryeducationoption.jpg","width":800}])
In Portland’s first International Baccalaureate elementary school, student-led inquiry helps children learn how to find answers to their questions and collaborate with others.
![Children in a library gather around a teacher reading a book to them]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733530905/intlschoolorg/tnvenrlaudbwk7mdsob4/earlychildhoodoption2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733530905/intlschoolorg/tnvenrlaudbwk7mdsob4/earlychildhoodoption2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733530905/intlschoolorg/tnvenrlaudbwk7mdsob4/earlychildhoodoption2.jpg","width":777}])
Early Childhood Education is a unique experience at ISP. Our teachers are natively-fluent speakers of our immersion languages. All have bachelor’s degrees and many years of experience in early childhood education
![Two kids in traditional Japanese dress pose for a picture]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/kcr0wbwatogazsv2oupb/languageandculturalimmersion.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/kcr0wbwatogazsv2oupb/languageandculturalimmersion.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733530904/intlschoolorg/kcr0wbwatogazsv2oupb/languageandculturalimmersion.jpg","width":800}])
International School of Portland provides an engaging and rigorous academic program, taught primarily through a second language – Japanese, Chinese, or Spanish.
Upcoming Events
all day
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Stearns Hall
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Lower Playground
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Learners' Hall
all day
Incredible Teachers
The teachers are absolutely incredible. I always have peace of mind dropping my child off for the day knowing she’s in such a warm, loving environment that fosters creativity, inclusion, curiosity and kindness.
IB Program
We really appreciate the IB program as it teaches the children to question things as opposed to just absorb content.
Small class sizes
We have loved the small class sizes, the academic excellence, and the kindness and joy that our family has experienced at ISP!
Cultural and language immersion
Cultural and language immersion means she gets to experience the world beyond what we can offer her at home … I love that she is able to see and participate in cultural celebrations and traditions beyond just her language track.
Intellectual curiosity
We love how ISP fosters intellectual curiosity. My child is excited to go to school every day, and her intellectual progress is evident.
Inclusiveness and Inquiry
The school culture of inclusiveness and inquiry learning is aligned to our own values. We appreciate the individual attention we get from administrators and teachers—our student never feels like just another student.