What is a Typical Week at the School?
This is an example of a typical week for someone in the Intensive School Program. In the other programs, students spend less time in academic classes. During that time, they have more time for the various fun and educational activities around The IDEAL School. This schedule is subject to change.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Monthly Excursion | ||||||
| 8:00 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | |
| 8:30 | Academic Classes | Academic Classes | Academic Classes | Academic Classes | Excursion | Free Time | |
| 9:00 | Breakfast | ||||||
| 10:00 | Life Skills | ||||||
| 11:00 | |||||||
| 12:00 | |||||||
| 12:30 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | ||
| 1:00 | Lunch | Free Time | Free Time | Free Time | Free Time | Lunch | |
| 2:00 | Family Time | Life Skills | Life Skills | Life Skills | Life Skills | Family Time or Excursion | |
| 3:00 | |||||||
| 4:00 | |||||||
| 5:00 | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | |
| 6:00 | Cleanup | Cleanup | Cleanup | Cleanup | Cleanup | Cleanup | Dinner |
| 6:30 | Exercise | Exercise | Exercise | Exercise | Exercise | Dance & Family Time | Cleanup |
| 7:00 | Computer & Phone Calls | Computer & Phone Calls | Computer & Phone Calls | Computer & Phone Calls | Computer & Phone Calls | Dance & Family Time | |
| 8:00 | Reading Night | Movie Night | Life Skills Night | Game Night | Deep Cleaning | Computer & Phone Calls | Computer & Phone Calls |
| 9:00 | |||||||
| 10:00 | Bedtime | Bedtime | Bedtime | Bedtime | Bedtime | Bedtime | Bedtime |
What are Some Fun Activities at the School?
Toys: A vast array of toys and games for children
of all ages is available. These toys have been selected because they are both
educational and entertaining. Educational CD-ROMs are available for different
age levels, as well.Games: There is one whole room of the house dedicated to playing games such as Monopoly, Life, Rummikub, Uno, etc. There is also space for putting together puzzles.
Exercise: Downstairs, in our mini-gym there is a universal weight set, an aerobic fitness machine, a mini trampoline a ping pong table, and a multi-game table with air hockey, billiards, foosball etc. Outside, we have a large play structure with swings, a slide, a climbing wall, and picnic area. We also have a large trampoline (14 feet / 4.3 meters in diameter) with a safety enclosure all around it.
Music: There is a piano in the Game Room, which students are welcome to play. We also have a couple of violins that are available for playing. It may be possible to take music lessons while you are studying at The IDEAL School. Check for availability during the time you are here.
Gardening: We have a large orchard and garden that we will all help with during the growing season. In the orchard, we have apple pear, plum, prune, and cherry trees along with blueberries and raspberries. The garden will have a variety of vegetables available to enjoy in the late summer and early fall.
What are Some of the Exciting Places I can Visit?
Once a week
Explore the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area– Oregon Zoo, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, downtown Portland, End of the Oregon Trail Museum, etc. The admission to each of these attractions is included in the American Home Living and Excursion Program fees. If students want to buy souvenirs, they will need to use their own money for that.
Shop at local shopping centers (Clackamas Town Center, Lloyd Center Pioneer Place--including Tiffany & Co., etc.), specialty stores (Nike, Columbia Sportswear, etc.), and discounted outlet stores (Woodburn Company Stores, Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets, etc.). Students will need to bring along extra money if they plan to buy anything on these shopping trips.
Once a month
Travel a little farther and see some of the most famous sites of this area–Multnomah Falls, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, the Pacific Ocean, Crater Lake. All the costs are included in the American Home Living & Excursions Program fees. If students want to buy souvenirs, they will need to use their own money for that
What Types of Healthy Meals can I have at the School?
The food this family prepares is healthy, tasty, and well balanced. An effort is made to include organic food when possible. The recipes are from a variety of cultures–Chinese, Japanese, German, Thai, Hungarian Spanish, Mexican, Russian, etc. We believe that we are what we eat, so we emphasize healthy, nutritious food with a balance of protein and carbohydrates along with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Are you vegetarian? Are you vegan? No problem. At the IDEAL School you can find plenty of delicious vegetarian and vegan options at every meal.
If you like, you may purchase some of your own food and cook it to eat at regularly scheduled mealtimes.
How can I stay in Contact with My Family and Friends?
Every day students will have time to speak their own language on the phone or over the Internet. There is wireless internet service in the school, so students may use their laptops or other wireless devices in approved areas of the house and school. Students may receive phone calls at the following number: 360-837-2124. To dial internationally, however, students must purchase an international calling card. Such calling cards can be purchased when the student arrives here at The IDEAL School.
If you have special computer or telephone needs, please let us know before you arrive so that we can make special arrangements for you. For example, a business owner who comes with her children to The IDEAL School may need to use her cell phone for employees to contact her. We may be able to arrange for her to use a SIM card that would work with her phone, or she may be able to rent a cell phone while here.