From our friends at the Parent Child Preschool Organization:
Is a Cooperative School Right for Your Family?
What if your child’s first school experience invited you into the learning, too? If you’re looking for an early education rooted in research, guided by play, and strengthened by community, a cooperative school may be the perfect place to start.
Cooperative schools place parents and caregivers at the heart of the educational journey- welcoming families as true partners in the classroom. Co-ops create rich, supportive environments where children build literacy, math, social-emotional skills, and critical thinking through curiosity-driven, experiential learning.
In our area, cooperative schools are more than a trend- they’re a legacy. For over 70 years, these schools have supported generations of families, keeping the magic of learning through play alive while evolving alongside modern research and best practices in early childhood education.
Here are some cooperative schools continuing this tradition and keeping play, partnership, and purpose at the center of their campuses:
Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Preschool: Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Preschool has been learning cooperatively for over 60 years in SW Portland. Offering play-based classes for children ages two through kindergarten. Join us for Parent Information Night January 21st, 7-9pm. www.cedarhillskp.org and follow us @cedarhillskp.
Hillsboro Parent Preschool: Discover Hillsboro Parent Preschool– where play-based learning and a close-knit community help children thrive. Our cooperative model invites families into the classroom, building confidence, friendships, and school-ready skills. Small classes, caring teachers, and meaningful parent involvement make early learning affordable, joyful, and truly connected. www.hillsboroparentpreschool.org.
Southwest Parent-Child Collective: Southwest Parent-Child Collective is a vibrant nonprofit, co-op preschool, administered by parents and staffed by experienced teachers. Leveraging a play-based approach and principles from Reggio Emilia, our teachers help students learn about themselves and their surrounding world through play, art, experimentation, outdoor time, books, dance and song. www.swparentchild.org/
Brooklyn Cooperative Preschool: Brooklyn Cooperative Preschool in SE Portland offers a play-based, community-focused school experience for 2-5 year-olds. Families share in the preschool experience by volunteering in the classroom under the guidance of a professional educator. Open House Feb 7, 9:30 – 11:30 AM. brooklyncooppreschool.org/
Rose City Neighborhood Preschool: Rose City Neighborhood Preschool, we enrich young minds through play and exploration. As a cooperative, our preschool helps children thrive through creative child-directed play, experienced teachers, a supportive learning environment, parent involvement, and intentional community. Joyfully playing and learning since 1975. www.rosecitypreschool.org
West Linn Community Preschool: West Linn Community Preschool is a warm, parent run cooperative in Lake Oswego where families actively support learning under the guidance of an experienced teacher. Children thrive through play based exploration that builds creativity, confidence, social skills, and curiosity in a close knit community. www.wlcp.org/
Metzger Community Preschool: Metzger Community Preschool is a play-based co-op that builds a supportive community for our children. Families are actively involved in the decisions made. If you’re looking for a community working together to make learning fun, check us out! Come to our next open house on 2/28, 9:30-11:30. www.metzgerpreschool.com
Woodhaven School: A preschool in the forest? Join us for a Woodhaven School Open House at 1:30 PM on January 26, February 23, or April 29. Learn about our nature-based cooperative, meet the community, and explore our learning spaces. RSVP at enrollment@woodhavenschool.com • www.Woodhavenschool.com • @woodhavenschool
Village Preschool: Grow curious minds! At Village Preschool of Portland, ages 3–6 thrive in a play-based, cooperative environment that fosters confidence, friendship and joyful discovery. Join our warm, family-centered community where every child’s voice is heard. Book a tour at www.villagepreschoolofportland.com/
Learn more about cooperatives in the area and find open houses at https://www.parentchildpreschools.org/open-house.