District Home

Vernon School
IBelieve. IBelong. IBecome.
Come grow with us.

2044 NE Killingsworth•Portland, OR 97211•Ph 503-916-6415•Fx 503-916-2678

••Ph •Fx

••Ph •Fx

  • Vernon IB World School:
    Look Closer

District News

View All

  • Join the Climate Crisis Response Committee

    5/19/2025

    If you are a passionate student or community member that wants to make a difference at PPS, apply to join the Climate Crisis Response Committee! This is a committee that reports to the PPS Board of Education.

    On the committee you will learn about how PPS is making progress towards our climate justice and sustainability policies, provide input and recommendations to the PPS Board on how to better support PPS staff as we advance these policy goals, and connect with other passionate members of our PPS community from diverse backgrounds, knowledge areas, and lived experiences.

    No previous professional experience in climate change or sustainability required! Students can apply via this form. Community members can apply here.

    Deadline to apply: June 6. 

  • Students Dance Their Hearts Out at This Year's Earthstock

    5/19/2025

    Earthstock 2025 was a huge success!

    Each year, special education students from across the region gather at Portland's Crystal Ballroom for a truly unique and uniquely joyful high school dance. 

    Earthstock began in 1992 at the request of a young student who was confined to a wheelchair and was disappointed he couldn’t attend the high school dances because of transportation issues. There were 60 kids at the first event. Earthstock now entertains more than 700 students, staff and volunteers, and is rapidly becoming one the largest events of its kind in the country. 

  • Author and Former PPS Teacher Visits Skyline

    5/19/2025

    Students at Skyline school were recently treated to a visit from PPS teacher-turned-graphic novelist Aron Nels Steinke. 

    Steinke is the award-winning author and illustrator behind the popular Mr. Wolf's Class series. He also taught at Skyline during the 2015-16 school year.

    During his visit to Skyline, he opened up to a group of third, fourth, and fifth graders about how he got started as an author despite struggling to read and write in school. He also read a short excerpt from his newest book, Speechless. 

    Speechless tells the story of Mira, a sixth grader who spends her first year of middle school finding herself and her voice. Skyline students were some of the book's first readers. We can't wait to see what Mr. Steinke writes next!

     

  • Mayor Delivers State of the City at Franklin HS

    5/16/2025

    On May 2, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson delivered his first state of the city address at Franklin High School.

    Members of the district and Franklin student councils had the chance to hear Wilson speak about his plans and vision for Portland’s future. Student Representative JJ Kunsevi opened the panel with a powerful question about education funding and the impact on students. 

    It was an evening that put public education front-and-center and a chance for PPS student leaders to shine.

more
 

Principal's
Message

  • Hello Vernon Community,

    Vernon is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood school with an international focus. Because Vernon is home to diverse, creative, and supportive community, it lends itself like no other to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Our diverse population and the IB framework help to create a uniquely rich school culture.

    Vernon is an authorized International Baccalaureate/Primary Years Program (IB/PYP grades K-5) and International Baccalaureate/Middle Years Program (IB/MYP grades 6-8). Our teachers have completed extensive IB training that helps them hone their skills in the latest instructional practices, assessment and child development in order to bring your child an educational experience that is world-renowned.  We know that IB offers tremendous advantages for students, helping them to become internationally minded students who can be successful at any level.

    Our use of the IB framework allows us to provide a well-rounded program that incorporates the PPS curriculum with a focus on conceptual learning and our connectedness to a global society. In kindergarten through eighth grade, students explore world language. In addition, our curriculum builds on district and state standards delivered through internationally developed, research-supported educational practices. Inquiry is a primary vehicle for learning, and is used to integrate higher order thinking, questioning, and application of content knowledge through interdisciplinary learning. Students participate in authentic projects that promote responsible citizenship, applying content knowledge through community action. Developing students as learners is fundamental to IB, and our use of Learner Profile as well as IB Attitudes and Outcomes help us strive to be the best we can be. Students regularly assess and reflect on their mastery of becoming a thoughtful learner.

    Finally, parents are actively involved at Vernon. Volunteers are welcome in classrooms, helping to extend and enrich the curriculum. Programs offered through our SUN after school program provide additional academic and enrichment opportunities to hundreds of students each year. We invite families to join us for these wonderful opportunities as part of our learning community. As the Principal at Vernon, I hear everyone from staff to families talk about the positive atmosphere here. They describe Vernon as a place that just feels good to be, where the environment is deeply caring. Vernon's quality staff, dedicated to academic achievement for all, makes Vernon a great place to learn for over 460 students.

    Come grow with us,

    Ben Keefer

    Principal

    Mr. Keefer

Upcoming Events

View Calendar
CLOSE
CLOSE