Primerly field report

Off the Grid Microschool

a public alternative program in Portland

K–8 · Alternative · Progressive · Outdoor

No permanent campus, program meets outdoors. · Aarin Langford (Owner, Lead Mentor)

Off the Grid (OtG) is a secular, full-day outdoor microschool built around a single mixed-age cohort that stays together through 8th grade. The unique model blends classic forest school practices with the independence and self-guided learning of Montessori: mentors monitor progress and open opportunities for growth, while students set individual goals, work toward those goals, and reflect on their own learning. Students are given uninterrupted time to focus on their tasks, socialize with peers, create, make and discover.

Days follow a published rhythm of arrival and goal-setting at 8:30, a work flow block from 9:00 to 12:00, lunch and free play from 12:00 to 1:30, a second work flow block from 1:30 to 3:00, and closing check-in at 3:00, with volunteer-led aftercare until 5:00pm. Everyday includes a minimum of 2 hours of free exploration and play.

Work blocks are self-paced against each student's goals, and snack and social breaks are taken when the child decides, rather than on a bell. Group expectations are set and enforced by the group rather than imposed from above. The published core skills list spans math, reading, writing, science, history, arts, movement, life skills, and nature survival skills, plus a yearly self-chosen interest project that ends in a presentation. Students enroll as homeschoolers with the State of Oregon and parent engagement is required.

Tuition: $2,000 - $4,000 (2027-2028)

Address: No permanent campus, program meets outdoors.. Phone: (503) 302-0192. Website: offthegridpdx.wixsite.com/off-the-grid-school.

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PPS rightsizing · a proposal, not a decision

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The basics

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Your odds in the lottery

Seats here aren’t first-come; they’re drawn by lottery. Each circle below is a tenth of the families who applied over the last two springs and stayed in the running (didn’t take a higher-ranked school). Filled circles got a yes.

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Official PPS lottery results, 2025-26 & 2026-27 combined: offers made ÷ families still in the running (offered + waitlisted); applications cancelled for a higher-ranked school excluded. pps.net › prior transfer data. Slots reset every year.
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