ELC Wins Best Private School in Forest Grove & Cornelius

Three cheers for three big wins! 

The Early Learning Community (ELC) is delighted to have been awarded Best Private School, Best Teacher, and Best Principal by the Forest Grove News-Times’ annual Reader’s Choice competition. 

The ELC, embedded within the university’s College of Education, serves students Preschool through 4th Grade. The ELC’s 1st/2nd Grade teacher, Aja Appel, was voted Best Teacher while many other ELC staff members were also nominated. Appel helped found the school and has been a part of the teaching staff for 13 years! Families often celebrate Appel’s ability to connect with her students and allow their interest to guide larger classroom discussions and explorations. 

“Aja is a master creating those beautiful lessons and finding those moments that really capture where students are at,” Head of School, Ren Johns said to the News-Times. “Aja is the kind of person who puts the plan on pause for a few minutes, because that's where the students’ energy is, and then incorporates that into whatever they're learning.”

Johns was also awarded Best Principal for her outstanding leadership. She has led the ELC staff since joining the university in 2020 and enjoys working — as well as being a part of — the tight-knight school community. 

“We want our families to know each other and come together and feel a part of something bigger,” Johns told the News-Times. “It’s being a part of this community that's working together to raise our kids.” You can read more about the program’s success here! 

The ELC always looks forward to welcoming new families to the community and would be delighted to share more about the program with you. If you’re interested in learning more, please email elc@contact.pacificu.edu, explore the web page, or complete an Enrollment Request Form to express your interest in the program.