Therapeutic School for At-Risk Students in Portland, OR

Serendipity is a non-profit therapeutic school serving at-risk students whose complex needs prevent success in other settings.

SERENDIPITY’S MISSION

is to provide the best environment for students to heal and become educated, productive community members.

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EDUCATION

Serendipity provides individualized instruction and adaptive learning opportunities to students of all abilities, helping those who have struggled in traditional classroom settings to experience academic engagement and success.

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WELLNESS

Our Wellness programs develop lifelong health awareness and habits, which are important to everyone and even more critical to students already at risk for health challenges resulting from traumatic or adverse experiences.

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FOUR PILLAR MODEL

MENTAL HEALTH

The therapeutic services offered at Serendipity integrate clinically designed interventions into the structure of a school day, allowing immediate and constant access to support.

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TRANSITION

Serendipity’s transition services create a bridge for young people between the K-12 special education system and the world beyond the classroom.

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Testimonials

“Serendipity helped me so much. I can better control my anger and Serendipity gave me more coping skills so that I know what to do.”

LukeStudent

“I carried Serendipity with me, in the form of this sense in the back of my mind that I had been cared for, listened to, and held accountable. I’d been give a place where I felt wanted, like I “fit”… “taken in” when that was just what I desperately needed.”

CindyStudent

“I cannot begin to count the number of times that the staff have gone above and beyond to make every effort to keep our son in school by continually altering and adjusting his school plan to accommodate for his needs.”

Parent

“By the time I graduated from Serendipity, I was a leader. I helped others and understood the importance of making responsible choices.”

William Student

“Serendipity offers consistent behavioral and emotional supports through carefully designed individualized plans that involve the student, parent, and district staff.”

Gresham BarlowProgram Director of Special Services

“The perseverance and dedication shown by the staff is second to none. We felt supported and encouraged by these folks in our daughter’s life. She has made a wonderful turn around and we know Serendipity played a major role in shaping her into the person she is today.”

Parent

“Serendipity provides more than just academic learning; it is a safe haven for children with extreme circumstances which would otherwise inhibit their social and learning skills which most of us take for granted.”

JosephStudent

“The classroom teacher, instructional aides, and case manager have endeavored to create sustainable change in the youths’ lives with whom we work… From cultural sensitivity, to empirically based, collaborative practices, I can’t say enough positive about my experiences with Serendipity staff.”

Consulting Behavior Therapist

“Serendipity has been such a blessing to our son and to our family. They have given my son confidence, self-esteem, life skills, peer relationship skills, and improved reading, writing, and speech.”

Parent

“Serendipity taught me… Coping skills to help handle my anger issues and help with thoughts of harming myself, Time management to help juggle multiple things at once, and more importantly; that I was smart enough. I was worth more than I could have imagined.”

TemariGraduate

“Serendipity is a trusted partner, a true innovator in the way they seamlessly blend learning and healing for severely troubled children. Students who have been failing for years will often turn their lives around at Serendipity, astonishing their families, teachers, and themselves.”

David DouglasSuperintendent

“Since he started at Serendipity, when asked about school, my son’s face lights up and he has nothing but positive things to share. He has never been excited about school before Serendipity.”

Parent

“Being held responsible for my own behavior at Serendipity prepared me to hold a job and to live in my group home. It was a good school to go to because it gave me a safe place to attend year round.”

WillStudent

“Because Serendipity provides developmentally appropriate curriculum and mental health services based on the individual needs of its students, innumerable youth have been afforded opportunities to experience academic and interpersonal success.”

Centennial SchoolSpecial Education Director

“My son gets one-on-one attention from staff. The classrooms are much smaller so he can receive help easier… He has learned more at Serendipity than in other school setting he has been in.”

Parent

“I know that Serendipity is a great place for kids that need a little extra help. I’ve never felt more safe and secure at any other school then I have at Serendipity. This school is a great fit for kids who have problems with school work, home issues, or just fitting in.”

JoanStudent

“Serendipity provides the essential environment and interventions for these children to begin to turn their lives around.”

ReynoldsSuperintendent

“Serendipity Center understands how important education with a mental health component is for someone like my son. By first healing his wounded emotional state, he gained the confidence to reach beyond his comfort zone, to try new things, to grow and learn.”

Parent

Serendipity welcomes Sam Breyer from MESD

News

Serendipity was delighted to share our school with Sam Breyer, the Superintendent Multnomah Education Service District. The Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) is an educational cooperative that provides a wide variety of programs and…

Serendipity Center featured live on the Oregonian!

News

Thank you so much to The Oregon Public House for hosting the Serendipity Center as their Charity of the Day on Monday! And a huge thank you to The Oregonian and Sean Sterling for coming out to the pub to help us share the story of the amazing…

Have a Pint and Support the Serendipity Center!

News

PLEASE JOIN US NEXT MONDAY ON NOVEMBER 11TH AT THE OREGON PUBLIC HOUSE 700 NE DEKUM ST. We will be sharing all about Serendipity's mission from 11 am - 4 pm downstairs in the pub and presenting our Portraits of Hope Gallery from…

Serendipity welcomes Clackamas Federal Credit Union

News

We were delighted to share our school with Luke McMurray, VP of Member Engagement and Jacklyn Olive, Community Relations Specialist at Clackamas Federal Credit Union last week. Luke and Jacklyn toured the school to learn more about our unique…

Serendipity to be Oregon Public House's Charity of the Day 11/11!

News

We are thrilled to announce that on 11/11 Serendipity will be Oregon Public House's Charity of the Day! This will be a fantastic opportunity to bring your friends and family to the pub to drink a pint, eat great food and support the Serendipity…

Portraits of Hope: Isolation becomes Belonging

News

At Pearls of Hope we unveiled four pairs of charcoal portraits. To celebrate our 40th birthday, Serendipity commissioned local portrait artist Jake Smith to create eight portraits depicting the transformational journey our children experience…

Thank you for Supporting Serendipity Center at Pearls of Hope 2019

News, Uncategorized

Join us at Pearls of Hope! - April 18, 2019

Event, News

Join us for Serendipity’s fundraising gala Pearls of Hope, on April 18th, 2019 at the Loft at 8th Ave from 6-9 pm! CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS! We are so excited to invite all of our friends, community leaders, and generous donors…

Serendipity Announcements

SCHOOL STATUS . . .

School Status:

Lower School: Open
Upper School: Open

For more info on closures, alerts or early dismissals due to weather or other conditions, please click here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER . .

Friday, November 1st: Teacher Grading Day-No School.
Sunday, November 3rd: Daylight Saving Time Ends. Set your clocks back 1 hour.
Friday, November 8th: Professional Development day for Lower School. Upper School is open.
Friday, November 8th: Student Council Meeting 10:00am-10:45am.
Friday, November 8th: Garden work Party Noon-1:30pm.
Monday, November 11th: Veteran’s Day. School Closed.
Friday, November 15th: GSA Group 9:00am-9:45am.
Friday, November 15th: Student Council Meeting 10:00am-10:45am.
Wednesday, November 20th: Llama Visit
Friday, November 22nd: GSA Group 9:00am-9:45am.
November 27th-29th: Thanksgiving Holiday-School and Office Closed.

MEET THE TEACHER-COUNSELORS OF THE QUARTER . . .

Check back in November to meet the Teacher-Counselors of the First Quarter of the 2019-2020 school year!

Please click here to read about Serendipity’s Teacher-Counselor of the 2018-2019 School Year!

SERENDIPITY STUDENT NEWSLETTER . . .

Please click here to view the current issue of Serendipity’s Student Newsletter, The Eagles Scream.

SPECIAL THANKS TO . . .

An enormous thanks to the following friends who supported our school in winter 2018/2019!

Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Braemar Trust, James & Shirley Rippey Foundation, Mark Wharry, Fred Meyer, Metro West Womens Club, Vicki Linnman, Oregon Community Foundation, Gordon & Kathy Keane, Dale Farr, Nike Employee Match, Reuben Schug, Megan Tressel, Gary & MaryLee Oshiro, Richard Abrahamson, Brown & Brown Employees, John F Stott, Fidelity Charitable – Donor-Advised Fund, Greg & Julie Wolleck, Nancy Herman Vardenega Memorial Fund, Sarah Jurgens, Boyd Family Foundation, Frank & Margaret Bitar Foundation, Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation, Box Tops for Education (General Mills), Peter Gjovik, Riverbridge Partners, The Bernice Heffernan Family Foundation, Adam Infantino, Norm & Kathy Dull, Pedro Nuñez, Lesley McGlocklin, Alida Rol, Elaine Whiteley, Judy Bridenbaugh, Doug & Karen Rice, Kelly Hayes, Nancy Rad, Debra Wright, Amy Fields, Brenda & Mark Grootendorst, Costco, Cambia Health, Coleen Gose, Davida Wilson, Melissa McDermott, Amelie Rousseau, Dave’s Killer Bread, Mia Bean, MediaWorks, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, New Season’s Market, Jan Donaldson, Marilyn Guggenheim, Milwaukie High School, Gail Rumpca, Price Water House Cooper, Anne Knapstad, Greg Anable, Target,and Pacific Foods.

Family Resources

Learn more about how Serendipity is advancing Equity

Calender & Events

View & Download
School Calendars
and Meals Menu:

Current Meals Menu

Lower School Calendar

Upper School Calendar

SERENDIPITY’S MISSION

EDUCATION

WELLNESS

FOUR PILLAR MODEL

MENTAL HEALTH

TRANSITION

Testimonials

Serendipity welcomes Sam Breyer from MESD

Serendipity Center featured live on the Oregonian!

Have a Pint and Support the Serendipity Center!

Serendipity welcomes Clackamas Federal Credit Union

Serendipity to be Oregon Public House's Charity of the Day 11/11!

Portraits of Hope: Isolation becomes Belonging

Thank you for Supporting Serendipity Center at Pearls of Hope 2019

Join us at Pearls of Hope! - April 18, 2019

Serendipity Announcements

Family Resources

Student & Family Handbook

Staff Directory

Learn About Admissions

Calender & Events

Newsletter