Otters stick together—and so do we! When you join The Otter Raft, you become part of a close-knit community of monthly supporters who help Emerson’s students learn, grow, and thrive every single day. Just like a raft of otters floating side by side, your steady gifts combine with others to create something strong and enduring. Together, we provide the resources, programs, and opportunities that keep curiosity alive and ensure our students can flourish—in and beyond the classroom—all year long.

The Emerson School StoryHands-on, experiential learning through project based learning in multi-age classrooms.The Emerson School was founded in 2003 by a trio of educators and parents who were passionate about the hands-on, experiential learning promoted through project-based education. Through their experience and research, the school's unique program was developed and implemented, and continues today as a model of how the Project Approach, Positive Discipline, Service Learning, and multi-age classrooms create unparalleled teaching and learning communities. The Emerson School is a non-profit public charter school, sponsored by the Portland Public School district. Admission to the school is through an independent blind lottery process, open to all residents of the District. The school is funded through Oregon's State School Fund, which is allocated to all public schools on a per-student basis. Because Emerson is a charter school, our students receive only a percentage of those dollars, the remainder being retained by our sponsoring District. Our fundraising serves to make up the difference between our reduced funding and the cost of our program.Your gifts are used to provide our classrooms and teachers with needed supplies, services and equipment that keep our students engaged and actively learning. Please give generously!

Support your child's learning through The Emerson School's Project Work Fund. Twice each year (September and February), we invite families to make a tax-deductible donation to help cover the costs of field studies, project materials, transportation, admissions, and required volunteer background checks. A suggested donation of $50 per student, per semester is appreciated, and gifts of any amount help make these experiences possible.