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Portland Montessori Collaborative

A learning community for infants, toddlers, children and their families

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Ecological Intelligence

The idea of Ecological Intelligence embraces the possibility that an aptitude for seeing and understanding complex social systems exists and that it is a skill that can be cultivated and developed intentionally within the framework of an educational paradigm. Since Montessori Education embraces the idea that a child is seeking orientation to their place and time, there exists an opportunity to connect even the youngest child to systems that prioritize living in balance with our environment.

We introduce young children to the ideas of reduction, reuse and recycling at a foundational level. Reducing waste is a practice that is a thoughtful and deliberate part of our curriculum. By preparing snacks and meal for all the children, rather than packing individual lunches for each child, we are reducing the amount of packaging and waste by buying in bulk. When reduction of waste is a goal in our school community, and strategies for reduction are modeled by adults, children are oriented to a culture of reduction.

Our use of cloth diapers and freedom from diapers at an early age support the idea of reuse in our culture. While the use of cloth diapers is consistent with Montessori pedagogy, it also models a principle of sustainability – reuse.

We recycle extensively, bagging hard to recycle items and doing so when possible. We are an Oregon Environmental Council Eco Friendly Childcare, and in the process of becoming Oregon Green School Certified.

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Employment Opportunities

Click here to learn about how to join our team. We’d love to hear from you.

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Downloads

Please click here for our Parent’s Handbook.

Download an Enrollment Application here.

For information about student immunization rates, click here.

Employment

Portland Montessori Collaborative is always seeking creative, flexible and grounded talent in our teaching community.

Check our Employment page for more details.

Contact us

4817 SW 53rd Ave
Portland OR 97221

503-972-7100
info@pdxmc.org

Open Year Round
M-F 7:45 – 5:15 p.m.

© Portland Montessori Collaborative
Website by Digital PDX