Portland OIC was founded in 1967 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and was established as part of a national network of more than 80 community-based centers. Nationally, the Opportunities Industrialization Center of America charter, focused on training under-educated and unemployed adults.

In 1983 recognizing that intervention was needed at an earlier age and responding to demands for quality alternative education, Portland OIC broadened its scope to include High School aged youth.

Portland OIC high school was established as a private non-tuition school accredited by the NW Accreditation Commission. Portland OIC now provides education, employment training and job placement services, mentoring, and support through age 25 to at-risk, disadvantaged youth.