ADMISSIONS

Inquiry is at the core of everything we do. Students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions, challenge assumptions, and pursue deep understanding across disciplines. This approach cultivates intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and the academic excellence that defines an OES education.

Our EC3 framework, Explore, Create, Connect, and Commit, guides students through authentic, inquiry-driven projects that come to life in our makerspace/design center. 

Grounded in Episcopal traditions, OES welcomes students of all faiths and none, creating space to reflect, question, and engage in meaningful conversations about identity, purpose, and belief. We don’t shy away from the big questions, and we are committed to building a beloved community where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Through our equity and inclusion work, affinity groups, and community-wide practices of reflection and dialogue, students develop a strong sense of belonging and a deep respect for the diverse experiences and identities of others.

OES faculty are more than educators; they’re mentors, guides, and trusted adults who know each student deeply. Through small class sizes and our Learning and Teaching Program, they craft engaging, inquiry-driven experiences while continuously honing their skills. Ever dedicated to growth, they are always learning and evolving to provide the very best for our students.

Students engage with local communities, global issues, and real-world challenges through community engagement, international programs, and interdisciplinary study. Our experiential education opportunities, including outdoor trips, internships, and hands-on projects, allow students to apply classroom knowledge to the world around them, fostering personal growth and a deeper understanding of their impact on the community and beyond.

These activities aren’t just add-ons, they’re extensions of our mission. Whether performing on stage, leading a student-led group, or launching a new club, students pursue their passions in ways that build confidence, spark creativity, and contribute to something bigger than themselves. These programs are not only meaningful, they’re also fun. With a culture that celebrates play, exploration, and shared experiences, students find joy in learning, connection, and simply being themselves.

We develop true scholar-athletes, focusing on healthy competition, improvement, and community. Our athletes play with courage and grit and impact each program they are involved in. Our athletic administrators and coaches value the relationships they build with our players and families. OES Aardvarks have won 56 team and 52 individual state championships in the last twenty years while offering a no-cut policy that allows any student to commit to a team and experience a new sport. 

Submit an Athletics Interest Form

Students don’t just learn scientific facts, they think like scientists. Whether observing nature in Pre-K or conducting original research in Upper School, students ask their own questions, test ideas, and engage deeply with the scientific process. With access to state-of-the-art labs, college-level equipment, expert faculty, and opportunities to present and publish their work, students experience science as a living, evolving process—and discover the thrill of making new knowledge.

• Lower School Science Inquiry 
• Middle School Science Inquiry
• Upper School Science Inquiry

OES is the only school in Portland with a boarding program for grade 9-12, bringing students from around the world to live and learn on campus. Their presence adds global perspectives to classroom conversations, school traditions, and everyday interactions—benefiting not just Upper School, but our entire PreK–12 community.