Early Learning Community
The Early Learning Community 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! Many thanks to our community for voting for us.
The wait list for the 2025-26 School Year is now open - use our Enrollment Interest Form to join!
Begin your child's school life in the highest quality educational setting — come and see what children need to become critical thinkers and joyous, self-directed learners!
Program Quick Facts
- Full-day, 5 day a week program with extended care from 7am-5pm
- Small class sizes with master teachers
- Access to university facilities and faculty experts
- A close-knit community of families
- Beautiful spaces for learning indoors and out
More About Us
At the Early Learning Community, also known as the ELC, young children encounter a richly stimulating learning environment and nurturing, creative teachers who guide them in their exploration of the world. The ELC offers active, authentic learning experiences, as well as engaging materials and beautiful spaces. Our school culture values the contribution of each individual child to the community while cultivating a sense of social awareness and belonging for all.
Housed in Berglund Hall and part of Pacific's Child Learning and Development Center, the school serves as an exemplary early childhood teaching and learning environment essential to the teacher preparation programs in the College of Education. Here, children are immersed in a broad and diverse community of learners — students, faculty, families and the surrounding community — who share the goal of supporting all aspects of children's development.
Please visit our prospective families page, which provides detailed information about submitting a request to enroll in the Early Learning Community. We are eager to share our school, and we invite you to explore the information, photos and resources provided.
ELC Location
The Early Learning Community is located on the Pacific University campus, at the corner of Pacific Avenue & Cedar Street in Forest Grove (physical address: 2020 Cedar Street)
Main Office Phone: 503-352-1481
Mailing Address
Early Learning Community
Pacific University
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116
School Administrators
For questions regarding licensing, health and safety protocols, and opportunities for feedback
Ren Johns | 503-352-1482 | rjohns@pacificu.edu
For questions regarding enrollment, school policies and day-to-day program matters
Shelby Cokeley | 503-352-1481 | coke4833@pacificu.edu
Child Learning & Development Center Director
For questions regarding curriculum/pedagogy, research, observation requests
Mark Bailey | 503-352-1442 | baileym@pacificu.edu
