About
The Cornell School was established in Fall 2016 by David and Oyendrila Kennedy.
The Cornell School is a fully licensed and certified preschool located between Cedar Mill and Forest Heights in NW Portland, offering full day preschool for children, age 3 to 5.
Set amidst 3 acres of wooded grounds with fruit trees, open green space, a natural stream, trails and wild life, the preschool is surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature. Located in a new and eco-friendly facility with big windows, bright classrooms, and connection to outdoor learning spaces. This extension of our classrooms is where children are encouraged to be naturalists, imaginative, creative and curious learners as they explore, invent and build within the environment.

Oyendrila Kennedy - Owner/Director
Oyen holds a Bachelors of Arts in English, Journalism and Psychology from Mount Carmel College, followed by a Bachelors degree in Education from St. Xaviers’ College. Oyen earned a Masters in English with a Minor in Child and Adolescent Psychology from Southern Oregon University. Her teaching experience of 24 years ranges from working with children from preschool to 8th grade level in private schools both in India and the U.S. She has taught preschool and kindergarten at Knowledge Beginnings, a flagship school of Knowledge Learning Corporation. She retired as a kindergarten teacher from A Child’s Way Preschool and Kindergarten to start The Cornell School. While In India, Oyen volunteered her time to teach children living in poverty on the streets of Calcutta for many years and also offered her writing services while working closely with international volunteers at The Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. When not busy running the school, Oyen loves reading, traveling, spending time with her family and friends, watching Netflix and Hulu, listening to music, cooking with spices and crafting with her daughter.
Dave Kennedy - Owner/ Chief Playground Architect and Builder
Dave holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Portland State University, a MS in Management in Science and Technology from OHSU, and a certificate in systems dynamics from MIT. Dave has worked at Intel for 20 years in various marketing, product management and business development roles and he currently manages the mobile workstation business. Dave’s interests include traveling, scuba diving, mountain biking, and kayaking. His passions are sports cars and building things. Dave built The Cornell School and the playground which he considers works in process as he continuously works to improve the indoor and outdoor environments.
Staff Bios
Monica Carlson - Music Director and Substitute Teacher
Patricia Herzog - Director Math/Science workshop, Teacher mentor and Substitute Teacher
Public school Kindergarten,
Junior College teaching and supervising student teachers in a Child Development La
Engaged with 24 preschool children and their familie
Taught courses in learning environments, math, and parent education
Directed a Private Full Day Preschool
Child Development Resource teacher for a County Office of Education.
Her passion is providing hands on, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. Pat never tires of observing their creativity, enthusiasm and energy! Pat is also mom of two delightful adult children and one brilliant one year old grandson! She loves most sports, gardening, cooking and traveling.
Curriculum
- Social Studies
- Foreign Language
- Music & Movement
- Language & Literacy
- STEM Based Math & Science
- Cultural Awareness
- Sensory Education
- Fine Art
- Practical Life Skills
- Physical Education
- Mindfulness & Yoga
- Cooking Fundamentals
- Sewing Principles
History