German Immersion · Co-op · Ages 2.5–5

Learning through
play, community,
& language.

A joyful co-op preschool where children explore, discover, and begin their German language journey — no experience required for families.

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Children playing outdoors
Indoor play and learning
Art project time

Is our school right for your family?

Here's what you need to know before reaching out.

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School Hours

· Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 1 PM.

· No aftercare or extended day available.

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Ages 2.5–5

Children must be 2.5 by September and independently toilet trained.

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Small Class · BYO Lunch

· Max 12 children. 1 lead teacher + 1 parent volunteer helper each day.

· No hot lunch program - pack your own lunch and water bottle.

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German Immersion

German instruction with English support — no prior experience required for families.

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Co-op Participation

· Families share in running the school.

· Parents volunteer as classroom helpers on a rotating schedule.

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Tuition

Interested?

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Our Philosophy

Play is how
children learn.

Our spacious classroom is designed for discovery — rich with toys, materials, and invitations to explore. Outside, children roam and learn in a beautiful natural area with room to play and imagine.

German is woven naturally into the day through songs, stories, play, and conversation. Children absorb language the same way they absorb everything else — by living it.

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Outdoor play area
Virtual Tour
Life at PKS
Class photo
Story time
Art project
Tire swing fun
Circle time
The Next Step

Come see for yourself

Schedule a visit and we'll show you around. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch!

Schedule a Visit →

Proudly supported by our community sponsors

Our Program

A place where
childhood unfolds.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is rooted in the traditional Deutscher Kindergarten, where play is the primary vehicle for learning. In our multi-age classroom of up to 12 children, dedicated teachers guide a four-hour program with a creative, flexible approach tailored to each child's needs.

Both German and non-German speakers are immersed in the language through daily routines, songs, stories, and interactions with peers and teachers. Language learning begins with understanding and, over time, blossoms into natural speech — many of our graduates continue their German studies at local immersion programs.

Our school follows the Portland Public Schools calendar, running from August through June.

Children learning through play
Playing with blocks
First day at Kinderschule

A Typical Day

Time Activity
8:50 – 9:00 AM Arrival — children settle in, change into Hausschuhe
9:00 – 10:00 AM Free play, small-group art & crafts with teacher
10:00 – 10:10 AM Aufräumen — tidy-up time
10:10 – 10:30 AM Circle time — stories, songs, music & dancing
10:30 – 10:45 AM Arts & crafts related to monthly theme
10:45 – 11:15 AM Snack time
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Outdoor play (gym play in inclement weather)
12:00 – 12:30 PM Art projects & clean-up
12:30 – 1:00 PM Lunch & dismissal

Our Teachers

Frau Gerlinde

Frau Gerlinde

Born and raised near Nürnberg, Germany, Gerlinde first experienced Portland Kinderschule as a parent before joining as a teacher in 2011. She delights in seeing her students' minds engage and eyes sparkle with achievement, and believes the best classroom moments come from the outrageous humor and deep joy that erupt in play.

Frau Susann

Frau Susann

A native of Germany, Susann has been teaching preschool since 2009. She is passionate about social and emotional learning, and believes a play-based, hands-on approach allows children to develop language skills naturally and at their own pace.

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Co-op Life

A school we
build together.

As a cooperative preschool, our families are the backbone of the school. Every family takes on a role and in return gains a close-knit community and a deeper connection to their child's education.

What is a cooperative preschool?

A cooperative preschool is operated by parents who take an active interest and role in their child's first educational experience. Portland Kinderschule employs professional teachers with German fluency to lead classes, while all other aspects of the school are run on a volunteer basis by families.

Why choose a co-op?

Parents have a voice in school decisions, administration, and policy-making. As families work together inside and outside the classroom, a tightly-knit community is built. The security children draw from this sense of community ensures they begin their educational journey loving school.

Family Obligations

  • Volunteer for a role — Each family takes on one job or board position per school year.
  • Classroom helper days — Assist in the classroom on a rotating schedule. Nannies, grandparents, or substitutes may cover your days. All helpers must pass a background check.
  • Fundraising — Meet an annual fair-share fundraising goal, divided evenly among families. Opt out by making a tax-deductible donation instead.
  • Speak German — Use German to the best of your ability in the classroom. Non-German-speaking parents are supported in learning basic phrases and greetings.
  • Cleaning — Participate in three cleaning parties per year (typically Saturday mornings, about 2 hours each).
  • General meetings — Attend two meetings per year to discuss school issues, elect board members, and enjoy parent social time.
Families working together at Kinderschule
Art project

More than a preschool —
a community.

Portland Kinderschule families value the mutual understanding and moral support that comes from working alongside parents who share the same interests and values. The co-op model allows us to offer high-quality, language-rich early education at a cost far lower than many comparable programs in Portland.

We are a member of PCPO (Parent Child Preschools Organization), which assists with administration, offers parent education opportunities, and connects us with other cooperative preschools.

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Enrollment

Join our
community!

Current Tuition

Days / week Monthly

Sibling discounts available.

Tuition is divided into nine monthly payments (July – March). A 2% discount is available if paid in full at time of first payment.

Families also meet or donate a $450 annual fundraising obligation.

Requirements

  • Child must be 2.5 years old by the September 1st.
  • Child must be independently toilet trained.
  • Families commit to a co-op participation role.
  • Parents volunteer as classroom helpers on a rotating basis.
  • Minimum 3-day attendance required per week.
  • Families must complete a meet-and-greet visit before enrollment is confirmed.

Enrollment for the upcoming school year begins each March and is open throughout the school year, space permitting.

Non-refundable enrollment fee: $225 per child.

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Portland Kinderschule does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or national origin.

Summer Camps 2026

Six weeks of
adventure & play.

Each themed camp runs for one week, following our regular school schedule.

Camp Facts

  • M–F, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 12 campers per session.
  • Tuition: $285/week — $15 early-bird discount if registered by April 15.
  • No German experience required.
  • BYO lunch and water bottle.
  • 20% discount for 3-day volunteers.
Register Now →
🏆 WINNER 2024 & 2025
Summer Camp Program 🥇 🥉
Contact Us

Schedule a visit
or get in touch.

Fill out the form below and one of our members will reach out with more details.

We are happy to arrange a Schnuppertag - a short visit during school hours - so you can see the class in action!

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Danke schön!

We'll be in touch within 48 hours. Thanks for your interest!

You can also reach us directly:

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