I would strongly recommend that families consider other options until there is new leadership at…read morethis school. During our experience, school administration provided inaccurate or misleading information during the enrollment process. This included representations about the gender composition of incoming classes and the grade levels typically offered. Although the school is listed as serving K-8, enrollment has not historically supported consistent offerings across the upper grades. The school also lacks adequate training, policies, and structural support for a diversity of learners. Families whose children require accommodations or flexibility--including those supported by physician documentation--may find that exceptions to stated policies are not respected, even when based on medical need. Overall, the gap between how the school presents itself and the day-to-day reality was significant. In our experience, this environment was far less supportive and far more rigid than local public school options, including Portland Public Schools.

When I first drove by this odd little building across from Montgomery Park, I never would have…read moreguessed that one day it would become like a second home for our family. I can't say enough good things about the teachers, staff and families that make up the CLASS community. The small, age-blended classes allow the teachers and staff to truly understand and cater to the needs of each student. More importantly, the teachers and staff truly care about each student and are highly dedicated to their success. I'm truly amazed at the job they have done fostering our son's emotional and academic development. They've helped instill a sense of confidence in him that I never thought would be possible. Most parents are also very involved in the school (and several of the teachers/staff have kids at the school) which helps create a true sense of community. As the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child" and our family is extremely grateful that our village is the CLASS Academy community.

My son has autism and has communication disability. The school district is unfair and unjust how…read morethey spend money in the special education department. District allows Donnita Hawkins who is special education director to waste money by inviting Attoeney to school IEP meeting when parent brings non-attoeney advocate to facilitated IEP meeting. It has been our experience that Mrs. Hawkins, Special Education Director is very controlling behavior. We had IEE done and she would not allow IEP team to discuss the report. She does not allow us to discuss outside provider information. When complaint of her is brought forward to Karen Remy-Anderson her boss, Superintendant Deb Clemens, Board of Directors and Equity at NTSD. They are All indifferent. They are all reinforcing her negative behaviors without corrective actions. As result Mrs. Hakwins continues to abuse District money on Due Process and brining Attoeney to IEP meetings. She had at least invited 5 or more times school Attoeney to school meetings. Mrs. Hawkins has been very proactive against parent involvement in education. Mrs. Hawkins belief and values "quarterly meetings to discuss progress is more than sufficient to meet student's needs and provide free appropriate education (FAPE). Typically developing student are able to access how the students are doing anytime through skyward. At NTSD, there is bad attitude when parents wants to be involved in student academic. We need some positive change. If Mrs. Hawkins had value of working collaboratively with Parents she would not need to have an Attoeney to school meeting. I believe she is abusing her power and district money. The district gives her unlimited fund for her abuse of district money for Attorney use. Karen Remy-Anderson is 504 Compliance Officer and she is Executive Director of Student Support and Special Education. She will NOT come to IEP meeting to supervise Donnita Hakwins. She has favoritism of Donnita Hawkins. Mrs. Remy-Anderson does not value Parent partnership. She doesn't want parents to know the how the students are doing at school academically. She supports Donnita Hakwins. Dawn Long is Human Resource Director and she Provided response to parent question during Ambassador training on 2-1-2018 witness by 14 ambassadors and Board of Director president that it would be unfair for NTSD to handle complaint of school personnel who is in leadership role. . She talked about how district will have favoritism due to working relationship, and that there will be biases treatment and it would be unfair to the person who brought forth the complaint against the school. I am sharing this experience to increase awareness of what is actually happening in special education department at NTSD. I would love to see some major positive changes. I would like to see increase academic instructional materials, increase collaboration with Parents, and be accountable. I would like to see the leadership model what they speak and write about. The purpose of my review and feedback is to increase awareness what is the REALITY of what is really happening at NTSD. I would highly recommend that Dawn Long, Human Resource Director to provide evidence to the Parents of special education and to the Board of Director her training on working collaboratively with Parents without Discrimianton and biases. It is my recommendation that NTSD provide mandatory Education to Donnita Hawkins, Greg Goble, Paul Dean, Karen Remy-Anderson and Dawn Long regarding cultural competency, autism, and working collaboratively with families of students with disability. There is huge disparity in Special education. Lack of instructional materials at Timberline High School. To this date, the school has not provided any educational material for WA-AIM test preparation for my son. No one can make them do anything when they do not want to do it. There is lack of accountability and their policy and procedure is just for looks. The culture of NTSD special education department is not parent friendly process. The school talks about what district is doing but they themselves can't model the behavior first. I would recommend NTSD to issue Dawn Long to take mandatory corrective action by taking 150 hours of working collaboratively with Patents of different culture. How to Problem solve issues without discrimination. She does not have the human connection to be in Director position. She makes very poor decision making. She doesn't talk with Parents who brings concerns. I believe she lacks the communication skills and tools to be Director of Human Resource. Mrs. Long's behavior is very concerning. She lacks people skills. She discriminates Parent of different culture. Intent: increase awareness and asking for improvement in special education department. Increase parent engagement, and increase parent partnership. Disclaimer: This website allows us to share our experiences or knowledge in which this organization participated.

My son age 12 has been going to this center for afterschool care for several years. The director is…read morevery much attune to the needs of each individual child. My son has an emotional and cognitive disability and has not had success in other afterschool settings. But here he has. The center has a mix of children on the autism spectrum, typical children and children who just need more understanding and attention to their specific needs. I highly recommend!

Where do I start? This place changed our lives! My son has been going here since Adely first opened…read moreher business. From the first time stepping foot into mind and minds I knew this was the place my son needed all along. Kids with Autism cannot fake their feelings, so I knew that if my son was comfortable in such a new environment and with a new person that he truly felt safe. Adely catered to all my sons needs and always kept in contact with me. And as her clientele grew, she ended up opening a new center that was bigger and offered everything our kids could ask for. From trampolines to exercise equipment to an indoor and outdoor playground , Adely had it all. This was not your typical therapy place or strict school, instead it as literally everything put into one space. A school, a social place, a playground, and most important, it was a place my son felt safe. She took the time to work one on one with my son and targeted areas that we wanted to focus on. I saw a huge improvement in my son and will forever be thankful to Adely. She truly treated my son as if he were hers and no matter the day or time she always made herself available to us. Not only did we finally gain the best therapy my son could ask for, but we also gained a life long friend. What an amazing place and even better, what an amazing women and friend. This place is home to us. We will forever be thankful to Adely and what she has done for our family. God bless you and your above perfect mind and minds! I wish their were ten stars I could give this place!

This is a FANTASTIC program unlike anything out there that truly works! My two kids have both…read moreimproved academically and socially after going through a 3 month session.

My son has struggled with speech and language skills as well as emotions and social cues and I was…read moreconcerned that we were not getting the support we needed until I found Brain Balance. Max is almost done with his program and we have noticed tremendous differences in his behavior and his perception of the world. His language and behavioral skills have improved significantly. Thank you, Brain Balance and keep up the good work.

This is our first year at Lewis and this has been the most pleasantly positive and easy…read moreexperiences. Our kiddo is coming from a Montessori preschool setting, which ended up being very difficult for us. The school has offered us all the support, welcoming staff and families, lots of wonderful programs, that are all wonderful. Lewis promotes diversity-love-support to students & families from all backgrounds (they stand t true to the their word about being inclusive, unlike other schools that just throw the word around, but do not hold true to). All of the kids are so friendly to one another. It definitely has more of an arts feel to it. The facility is very secure, and the classrooms are very clean & full of natural daylight. Our student is also blessed with a 16 student classroom vs 25 students for the school we were slated to go to that us east of here.

an amazing school with great teachers I was a student there and had a great time. Music program has…read morelots of marimba and singing wide range of books in the library and really fun and enjoyable games in PE

Love this place. Pauline and staff really have a heart for the kids and have an in-depth knowledge…read moreof their profession and have such great ideas for their program. My son has been working for Mrs. Pauline Lee for over 8 years and all I can say is I love the positive influence she has had on his life and needless to say on the kids at the school. The staff is close knit and their love for the students show. I wouldn't hesitate to have my kids in this school.

AMAZING inclusive school! Pauline and staff made us feel so welcome and they're very patient with…read moreour unique differences! I can't shout this from the rooftop enough. If you're looking for a inclusive school, this is it!

I have been trying to get a hold of this place for months leaving multiple voicemails and no one…read moreever returns my call. This is a Google voice number they have listed and I am not even sure if they are still in business anymore. The one time I thought I reached them turns out I had the wrong number. That's really too bad because we live in the neighborhood and we really could've used their services. We will stop trying to contact this place now and will find another. If someone does finally return my call out of the blue and my rating of this business improves then I will update it.

Elyse is an amazing advocate and is in tune with children and parents of special needs children…read more Especially those who have learning differences and don't fit the mold of traditional special needs children. She taught me how to best advocate for my son and not just accept what was given to me by the school district. Without Elyse I would not be able to know how to ask the right questions and get the best accommodations for my son. She knows the system and she helps make sure the system works for the children she cares so much about. If you get to work with Elyse you get to work with the best!

Awesome program. A must to check out. Kobi rocks!!! She is amazing with our kiddos young and old.read more

From the owner: Different Paths provides multiple types of support and education to individuals and families. Our…read morespecialty is working with kids, teens and families who are impacted by special needs, such as attention challenges, sensory issues, autism, and social or emotional challenges. You can learn more about our work on our website! We also run the Social Skillz Theatre School. Right now we are focused on our Summer Camp for kids and teens with special needs. Camp is an inclusive environment for neurodiverse children and teens going into 3rd - 12th grades, regardless of experience or special needs. Social skills are taught through the fun and confidence building magic of theatre. You can learn more or register for camp on our website. Different Paths provides the following types of instruction and support in the Tacoma Area: summer camp day camp theatre classes social skills group social skills classes life skills parenting classes behavior support behavior coaching special needs supports autism support sensory support attention support academic support specialized instruction curriculum modification IEP support

Here is a haiku about Puddletown: Perfect, wonderful…read more and exciting just as well you should join right now! I joke, but it really is an amazing school. I have attended for 9 years and the community, the experiences and the curriculum are all great. Please enroll in the middle school program there so I am not a lonely 8th grader next year... - A Puddletown Student

My daughter joined the Elementary program at age 6 after enjoying several years at another…read moreMontessori preschool. The transition was very smooth and now in her 3rd year there, she's still doing wonderfully. The community (parents, administration, teachers, support staff) are all relaxed and intelligent people that clearly love and value children. The Montessori philosophy and learning environments are authentic and beloved by the children. There's plenty of interaction between the children and the outdoors, with fun interactive garden experiences and an interesting outdoor play area. Tuition is the same as most other Montessori schools, and they offer before and after care, and plenty of opportunities for parents to volunteer. Good times!