Highland School at Kenwood Elementary School

Earned Oregon's top rating, "Outstanding" on the 2009-10 Oregon Department of Education State School Report Card. Only 37% of Oregon schools earned the same rating statewide.
—Submitted by a teacher

The teachers are all dedicated to ongoing training in storyline method. Storyline has been a fabulous way to bring learning to life! My second grader loves going to school here! We as a family are appreciative of the administration as a whole.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school full of creativity and strong expectations. I love coming to eat lunch with my child (which you will find the principal and vice principal there everyday!!!). Communication is clear and quick. I would just hope that some parents and teachers would leave the politics out of the school and admin building. We are very happy and feel luck to have our children experience storyline.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Highland now for a year. Transferring from another Bend School. We are happy with the academics and the storyline is so much fun. We are very disappointed with the safety and security measures. Because of the parking issues, the back doors are unlocked during school hours. Anyone can come and go as freely as they please. The office is located at the front of the school, therefore, no accountability to whom enters our school. Classrooms and children are accessible to anyone. Not good. We also came from a school where the principal was always present. Nobody ever seems to see the principal here at Highland. I would love to see these things change so we can remain and feel confident at Highland.
—Submitted by a parent

Highland is a magnate school. That means it is a public school that draws from the school district, versus immediate neighborhood. The focus is on the Scottish Storyline Method of teaching which is experiential--classrooms develop story lines about the area of study with individual characters, dramas, field trips, art, music, food, etc.-- that make it fun to learn about the time. Highland has great teachers and parents and I rate it high, but it is a political place. I have seen a 'not invented here' attitude with the administration when a new teacher with great ideas rocks the boat. The new teacher that the children and parents love is let go in favor of the status quo, very disappointing. Still, I would not let this keep you from entering the lottery to attend. Storyline is a fabulous experience and Highland is the only elementary devoted to it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! The parent participation is higher than any school I have ever been associated with. The staff is strong. The only problems I have with it are poor parking and they still don't have a music teacher.
—Submitted by a parent