Creative Science Magnet School

BY MERLIN DOUGLASS

Published in The Southeast Examiner, Vol.16, No.2

When Roger Devine considered the question of how best to educate his son Kirby, he had a problem. “Kirby is a special kid,” he says, “He’s a spatial genius. He knows where he is in the world all the time. When we first moved to Portland, he was really little but he learned his way around first out of all of us. He’s always nailing me when I make a wrong turn.”

It wasn’t that he talked early or was a whiz at math Devine says, it was a special sort of intelligence and Devine wanted to find Kirby and educational environment that would recognize it for the genius that it is.

As Kirby approached kindergarten age, Devine attended the city’s annual “Celebrate! Portland Public Schools,” a program highlighting the various and many learning opportunities available. He was most drawn to a small magnet school called The Creative Science School.

He attended an informational meeting at the school itself such as the ones being offered this month and next at the home of the Creative Science School Bridger Elementary School, 7910 SE Market.

Separate from the traditional Bridger neighborhood school environment around it, Creative Science educational activities for its approximately 140 students in grades K–5 stems from the philosophy called a Constructivist approach. This philosophy is rooted in the idea that children want to learn. Adults can help by creating boundaries in which problems can be solved, solutions tested, and theories created.

This was music to Devine’s ears. After the informational meeting, he and his wife, Janet Tingey, toured the classrooms, the gym, and the cafeteria. “What we saw everywhere were fabulous teachers letting each child shine,” he says, “Everyone with a different idea saying ‘here’s how I’m going to tackle this problem.’”

“Another parent might not be as comfortable with the noise, the level of activity here, “ says Jules Goodwin, the kindergarten teacher at CSS. “We allow and expect children to be active, physically and mentally, as a part of their education.”

Next came the tricky part. Placement at CSS is by lottery. There are generally 25 to 30 kindergarten openings a year and more kids apply than can be accepted. About 80 or 90 percent of kindergarten students go on to the first grade and openings in the upper grades grow progressively rare. Once you’re in, though, you’re in.

Prospective parents should also be aware that the school must charge for the full day kindergarten classes. Other grades are funded as public education. There are discounts and scholarships for low-income families and after-school childcare is available on site.

None of these things mattered to Devine and his wife. They thought the educational environment was exactly what they wanted for Kirby. They submitted his name to the lottery but it wasn’t drawn that first year.

“Because Kirby, who is six this year, has a summer birthday, we had the option of keeping him out,” says Devine, “and we decided to try again.” It was a decision that Goodwin understands.

“I think it is really wonderful if a child can stay at the same school with the same kids and the same educational philosophy at least K through 5th grade and that’s what we offer here,” she says. Goodwin and Deb Dortch, another teacher, have been with the program since its inception nearly 20 years ago by then school superintendent Matthew Prophet.

“He recognized early on that southeast Portland didn’t have some of the public school opportunities that other parts of the city did,” Goodwin says, “He started CSS with his own discretionary funds.”

The school has struggled, as has every other public school recently, with the hemorrhage of support after the full effect of Measure 5 has become apparent. “For instance, we would love to offer two classes for each grade,” says Goodwin, “but right now we just can’t.”

It also means that this is not a school for parental wimps. The life of the school depends heavily on parents to fundraise, work in classrooms, attend and/or work on events, talk with prospective student’s parents, or work with the very active group that advises the program.

Kirby was accepted this fall and now his dad enthusiastically staffs one of the committees and his mom designed and built the school’s website, www.creativescienceschool.org. They and other parents consider the time a good investment.

Kirby, meanwhile, is mapping the city he knows so well. He and the other CSS kindergarten students are pooling their individual talents and knowledge of their neighborhoods to build a three dimensional map of Portland. The results to date are available on the website.

“I really, really like what I see there,” Devine says, “they started out mapping and through that exploring relationships to peers and community. They are talking about math by counting blocks and exploring set theory.”

“Parents who come to the informational meetings should ask themselves if this is a philosophy that makes sense to them and for their child.” Goodwin says, “They should ask themselves: is it worth the logistics, the drive every day, the 7:55 start time. It takes a commitment.”

Informational Meetings for the 2006–07 School Year
Feb 2 at 6:30
Mar 9 at 6:30
Apr 6 at 6:30
Bridger Elementary School
7910 SE Market
503.916.6336 for more information