Our Preschool
At Portland Kinderschule, children ages three to five enjoy a rich, German language-immersion preschool experience in a warm and welcoming environment. Children younger than three may be considered on a case-by-case basis with approval from our teachers and Board of Directors.
Our school year runs August through June, following the Portland Public School calendar. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and families can choose a 3-, 4-, or 5-day schedule (depending on space). To help children build confidence and keep pace with their classmates, we require at least three days of attendance each week.
As a parent cooperative, families are active partners in the classroom and the school community, helping us keep tuition affordable while fostering strong connections between parents, teachers, and children. This model allows us to offer high-quality, language-rich early education at a cost that’s far lower than many comparable programs in Portland.
3-5 Years Old
We welcome children who are 3–5 years of age. Children younger than 3 may be accepted with approval of the Board.
12 Children Per Class
Our class sizes are small so your child will receive individualized attention.
Balanced Curriculum
Focused learning times are balanced with indoor and outdoor free play so your child learns the language in a setting of fun.
Cultural Activities
We regularly hold special events and performances that honor German traditions and holidays.
Tuition and Fees
The following amounts are for the 2025-2026 school year.
3 days/week = $568/month
4 days/week = $687/month
5 days/week = $806/month
Tuition is divided into nine monthly payments from July through March. We offer a 2% discount if the tuition is paid in full at time of first tuition payment.
Non-refundable Enrollment Fee and Registration fee for each child: $225
10% Sibling Discount applies to tuition rates for additional family members attending PKS.
Families also meet a $450 annual fundraising obligation, called Fair Share.
Holidays
Portland Kinderschule will be closed on holidays observed by Portland Public Schools. Portland Kinderschule’s German language immersion preschool regularly holds special events honoring German traditions and holidays.
We invite all of our community members, including Portland Kinderschule graduates and their families, to celebrate St. Martin’s Laternenumzug, Nikolausfeier, and Faschingsfeier. In addition to our yearly celebrations, Portland Kinderschule schedules several field trips which are open to all currently enrolled students and siblings.
Typical Daily Schedule
8:40 am – 8:50 am
Parent helper (PH) and teacher arrive to help set up room
8:50 am – 9:00 am
Children arrive, PH helps children get jackets, backpacks off and hausschuae on, plays with Kinder
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Children have free play with PH, teacher has art/crafts with small groups, reads
10:00 am
Aufräumen / clean up
10:10 am – 10:30 am
Circle Time: Stories, songs, music, dancing, and lessons based on monthly theme
10:30 am – 10:45 am
Arts/Crafts related to theme
10:45 am – 11:15 am
Wash hands, go potty and have snack time
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Outdoor play or gym play during inclement weather.
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Get cleaned up, go to the bathroom, do art project
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Wash hands, lunch and dismissal.