Community Arts Preschool, inside the Lakewood Center for the Arts, in downtown Lake Oswego, was co-founded in 1981 by Nicole Christianson and Ellyn Anderson.

The vision for the school was to provide a preschool environment based on the arts: creative dramatics, art, music, puppetry, science and play as a foundation for the curriculum. More than 25 years later, this is still our vision.

In 1997, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited Community Arts. Our school has proudly earned that gold standard of accreditation ever since it was first awarded to us.

Eileen Dietz, a Community Arts teacher and director, has owned and operated the school since 2005. Community Arts now serves 120 students and families, with a very dedicated staff.

Our program has evolved to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages three, four, and five. It now includes additional classroom space, a pre-kindergarten program, and a music and movement component.

It is with Nicole Christianson’s original vision and spirit that Community Arts Preschool continues to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for children to discover and learn about their world.