ACCESS ACADEMY

ACCESS Academy is part of Portland Public Schools Department of Educational Options. We are an accelerated option school as students need to qualify with a 99% percentile on the nationally normed tests for math, reading, or intellectual ability in order to apply. We currently have a population of 218 students, first through eighth grade. Our school offers a high level of differentiated instruction and teachers who are specifically trained in creating an age appropriate and challenging education for highly capable students. ACCESS offers the opportunity for students to gain high school credit and explore independent learning opportunities. We are part of the current Grant Cluster but are an alternative program which provides the educational option for students who are in need of our specific learning environment. We invite you to consider applying to our program. Applications will be available in late January on our website and are due by March 22nd.


ACCESS Academy’s mission is to create and sustain a learning environment where gifted children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. ACCESS strives to encourage the development of the whole student. The program supports the intellectual as well as the personal growth of students by providing high level instruction that recognizes different learning styles and talents within a nurturing peer environment.


Students in grades 1-5 learn as a self-contained cohort and receive instruction from one teacher throughout the year (with the exception of math). Students in grades 6-8 have four instructional periods, rotating among core classes that include math, English, social studies, and science. Depending on the grade, students also attend wellness classes, choir, drama, art, Spanish, and library. We also participate in Young Audiences, Run for the Arts, and our art opportunities including artists-in-residence vary from year to year.


We have an involved parent community and our active parent volunteers provide students with a Choir for grades 1-8, a Lego Robotics League, a Community Service Program, chess, Community garden and social activities such as ice skating parties, movie nights, middle grade dances, and a talent show.


Please give us the opportunity to share with you more about our school. We are starting information sessions in late January and will be accepting applications through March 22rd. Please visit our website at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/access/ for more information. We are excited to meet you and look forward to your visit!