13 New Small Schools Open

Over 12,000 students now attend “small” schools

Statewide, OR – Years of hard work by administrators, teachers, parents and consultants came together this fall when 13 new small high schools opened their doors as part of the E3 Oregon Small Schools Initiative.  That brings the total number of small schools opened with E3’s help to 38 and affects the way over 12,000 students are learning.

Ten new high schools that opened this fall are “conversions” - new schools created when a large high school is separated into 3 or 4 smaller schools within the same building. Three of the new high schools were created by educators and community members from scratch.  All of the schools are designed to establish a high achieving and equitable school environment that focuses on helping all students succeed. Each school provides challenging academic courses, innovative teaching practices and extensive support to help prepare students for post-secondary education and the world of work.

Schools are not just smaller.  Each school has created its own unique approach to helping students succeed using innovative models and best practices from Oregon and around the country.  Whether a school is arts-based, focused on technology or health sciences, they all meet or exceed the Oregon state curriculum requirements.  Schools have received extensive technical and coaching assistance from E3: Employers for Education Excellence, the Oregon non-profit leading the initiative. In addition to coaching, E3 has provided funding for the schools to help in the conversion or start-up process.  The Initiative is generously funded by the Meyer Memorial Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

E3’s work is part of a larger national effort aimed at reforming public high schools to help close the achievement gap among minority and low-income students, and improve graduation rates.  This fall 175 new small high schools opened in 47 different states, including the 10 new schools in Oregon.  There are now over 1,800 small high schools that have been created in the last few years with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others.

Early results are promising with teachers reporting increases in attendance, attitude and academic performance.  Schools are redesigning the way they teach, and what they teach.  Many of the small schools are now offering advanced placement (AP) classes for the first time, and creating a culture of high expectations and providing support programs to help all students succeed.

With all these successes, it will take many years for these schools to fully close the achievement gap and improve graduation rates, but there are very real positive signs that we are headed in the right direction.

The following is a breakdown of the new schools that opened this fall.

TEN NEW SMALL SCHOOLS CREATED FROM EXISTING LARGE HIGH SCHOOLS:

Crater High School – Crater, Oregon
Local educators and the community knew that with less than half of its 1523 students progressing to post-secondary education…things had to change.  This fall, Crater High School opened four small theme-based schools serving approximately 400 students each.  The four schools are: Business Innovation & Sciences (Bis), Crater Renaissance Academy, Crater School of Health and Public Service and the Crater School of Natural Resources.  Each school has a challenging college preparatory curriculum and offers extensive support for students.  The schools have established strong partnerships with over 500 local employers who are providing mentorship and internship programs that will help students see the value of their education and a pathway to a brighter future.  For more information about Crater High School visit their website at www.cratercomets.com, or contact the E3 School Coach, Andrew Goldstein at 503-730-1584 or email, or the Crater School Coordinator Kirk Gibson at 541-494-6301 or email.

Liberty High School – Hillsboro, Oregon
With a very diverse and rapidly growing population, Liberty High School has always appreciated the benefit of smaller learning communities that can serve students with specialized interests.  In fact, the school was originally designed for smaller learning communities where students could engage in integrated academic learning activities.  This fall, three small schools opened on the Liberty Campus.  Freshmen Academy provides a challenging and supportive academic program that helps freshmen make the transition from middle school to high school.  Hospitality and Human Services Academy provides students with exposure and learning opportunities in services industries, and Arts Communications & Technology Academy encourages students to design, analyze and problem-solve when working alone and in teams. For more information about the schools on the Liberty Campus visit their website at www.ksd.k12.or.us/liberty, or contact the E3 School Coach, Marilyn Lahue at 503-939-4975 or email, or Campus Principal, Gregg O’Mara at 503-844-1252 or email.

South Medford High School - Medford, Oregon
A Freshman Academy, serving 490 students, opened on the South Medford High School Campus in the fall of 2006, and this fall, three new 10-12 grade theme-based small schools opened: CHAMPS- a medical and health technology school, BACH- an arts and humanities school, and DISCOVERY- a student interest driven, project based learning school.  Each school has a core college preparatory curriculum and offers a more personal and tailored education that both challenges and supports students.   For more information about the schools on the South Medford Campus visit their website www.medford.k12.or.us, or contact the E3 School Coach, Eva Bogue at 541-601-8332 or email, or contact the School Change Coordinator, Tim Rupp 541-842-1468 or email.

BRAND NEW SMALL HIGH SCHOOLS OPENING THIS FALL INCLUDE:

EagleRidge High School – Klamath Falls, Oregon
EagleRidge High School launched this fall with a core academic college preparatory program focused on technology literacy. The school utilizes integrated Project-based Learning (PBL) curricula with a variety of community and college experiences for students.  Students will use the New Tech model of technology on a daily basis to create, collaborate and communicate within these experiences.   A charter school, EagleRidge provides adult advocacy and support programs for all students.  The campus website is www.EagleRidgeHigh.us.  For more information about the school please contact the E3 School Coach, Elaine Rector at 541-981-0475 or email, or the School Director, Steve Iverson at 541-850-9949 or email.

Health & Science High School – Beaverton, Oregon
Health & Science High School, a magnet school in the Beaverton School District, serves as a community partner for access to medical sciences education. The school accesses a part of the community that is typically under represented in the science, technology, and health fields. Students at Health & Science High School will access a high quality education that prepares and engages them on their pathway to an education beyond high school. Additionally, opportunities for families and other members of the community to access health science courses and programs will be available. Focusing on professional skills, foundational health career knowledge, and a wide base of experiences, the school will build a strong, relevant program that prepares students for college and careers.  The school hopes to engage students in one or more of three directions: 1) enhanced interest and performance in the medical sciences; 2) future interest and subsequent success in medical science coursework and careers during and beyond high school; 3) successful participation as a student in this new science option high school.  For more information about the school please contact the School Principal, Steve Day at 503-591-4115 or email.

Media Arts & Communications Academy – McMinnville

The Media Arts & Communications Academy (MACA) is a New Start school that opened this fall with 170 ninth and tenth grade students. This first, new magnet high school for McMinnville was designed as an inclusive community that represents the demographics of the district, but in a significantly smaller environment than the only existing high school. The curriculum is college preparatory and infused with digital media applications for learning and demonstrations of learning. An advisory program will guide students through the process of long term learning planning and academic skill building, as well as prepare them for community-based learning experiences and college applications and funding. Community partners, parents, staff, and students will work together to create meaningful experiences that prepare students for success in college and other post-secondary opportunities.   For more information about the new school contact the E3 School Coach, Marilyn Lahue at 503-939-4975 or email, Principal Laurie Cooper at 503-565-4123, or Debra Franciosi at 503-565-4122 or email.

For more information, visit the E3 Small Schools website at www.E3smallschools.org.

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