Education

When people ask, why Ashland is such a special place, it doesn’t take long for someone to answer that it is partly because we have people who chose to live here that hold educational attainment in high regard. It’s true. Education is deeply valued by residents and supported through all levels from preschool to K-12, to higher education and life-long learning programs.

According to the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, Ashland’s residents are highly-educated. The charts illustrate the distribution of the population over 25 years by education level completed and compares Ashland to Jackson County and Oregon.

In 2013-2017 survey, an estimated 97.3 percent of people in Ashland, 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 58.5 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Only 1.9 percent have never received a high school diploma. An estimated 89.3 percent of people in Jackson County, 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 26.8 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 7.2 percent have never received a high school diploma. And finally, an estimated 90.2 percent of people in Oregon, 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 32.3 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 6.0 percent have never received a high school diploma. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Data Set: Educational Attainment

One of Ashland’s greatest treasures is its public school system. Ashland schools consistently score above the national average on state and national assessments and other measures of student achievement.

Ashland High School has earned Silver Medals from US News and World Report in seven of the last ten years, which ranks it in the top 10% of all high schools in the United States. Ashland High School has one of the highest graduation rates in the state. This information points out what Ashlanders already know - quality schools enhance the strength of the community.

Elementary, Middle and High Schools

ashland.k12.or.us

Three elementary schools, Bellview, Helman, and Walker, serve students in grades K-5. An average class size of 25 combined with outstanding teachers result in student success. Music and PE specialists, reading teachers, and Child Development Specialists provide additional support to ensure that students reach their highest potential.

Bellview Elementary – 1070 Tolman Creek Road, (541) 482-1310

Helman Elementary – 705 Helman Street, (541) 482-5620

Walker Elementary – 364 Walker Avenue, (541) 482-1516

John Muir Outdoor School is a K-8 school that serves the entire school district. It has an emphasis on environmental science and art to teach the core curriculum. John Muir School – 100 Walker Avenue, (541) 482-8577

Willow Wind Community Learning Center is an alternative program that supports families that home school their children and also offers a full-time alternative program known as Parents as Partners that tailors the educational day to the needs of families. Willow Wind Community Learning Center – 1497 East Main Street, (541) 488-2684

Ashland Middle School serves students in grades 6-8. Small independent teaching teams are organized around the needs of emerging adolescent students. Teachers meet daily to discuss the academic program and student progress, ensuring that all students are well known and encouraged to achieve at a high level. Ashland Middle School – 100 Walker Avenue, (541) 482-1611

Ashland High School serves students in grades 9-12. Fully accredited by AdvancED, AHS students excel in academics, athletics, and the arts. AHS provides a full range of academic and elective classes to ensure the well-rounded development of each student. Ashland High has a drop-out rate of under 2%, and is consistently ranked at the top of all Oregon high schools. Ashland High School – 201 South Mountain Avenue, (541) 482-8771

The Youth Activities and Academics Levy is a local option levy passed by the residents of Ashland. This important funding source allows Ashland School District to fund both extra-curricular and athletic programs, along with supporting academics. Our generous community ensures that Ashland students have access to high quality education above the funding available from the State of Oregon.

We are enriched by the many volunteers and community partnerships in our schools.

Asante Ashland Community Hospital provides school nurses in our middle and elementary schools, and Rogue Community Health operates a School Based Health Center at AHS. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival partners with the high school drama department, resulting in high quality theater and musical productions. The SMART program, the Rotary Club of Ashland and Rotary Club of Ashland Lithia Springs make sure that elementary school students have support in mastering reading. These are just a few examples of how our community supports our schools.

Ashland Schools Foundation

The mission of the Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF) is to support quality education in Ashland public schools through fundraising in the community. ASF is an independent, non-profit, public benefit corporation, organized in 1989 exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. The committed volunteers at ASF work in our community to raise much needed funds to support the academic operations of the school district. ASF also funds classroom-based grants to support enrichment activities across the curriculum.

Private & Alternative Schools

Ashland and the Rogue Valley have several private and alternative schools:

Armadillo Technical Institute – 106 N. Rose Street, Phoenix 97535, (541) 535-3287

Children’s World Montessori Pre-school & Toddler – 320 Beach Street, (541) 482-1314

Grace Christian Schools – gracechristian.org

Oregon Child Development Coalition - Head Start – 265 N. Main Street #1, (541) 488-6919

St. Mary’s School – 816 Black Oak Drive, Medford 97504, (541) 773-7877

The Siskiyou School (Waldorf) – 631 Clay Street, (541) 482-8223

Higher Education

Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a regionally-engaged learning community committed to being the educational provider of choice for learners throughout their lives.

We inspire curiosity and creativity, compel critical thinking, foster discovery, and cultivate bold ideas and actions.
We achieve student success, professional preparation, and civic engagement through service excellence, evolving technologies, and innovative curriculum.
We foster access, equity, inclusion and diversity in thought and practice.
We prepare our learners to be responsible, engaged citizens in our democracy.
We promote economic vitality, sustainability, cultural enrichment, and social well-being in our region, the state, the nation, and the world.

Theoretical and experiential learning programs taught by a host of exceptional faculty provide quality, innovative experiences for students. At SOU, about 6,100 students explore the arts, sciences, humanities, social sciences, and professional programs offered by SOU. North Campus Village provides gorgeous, comfortable residential facilities and a dining hall featuring home-style classics, ethnic cuisine and healthy entrees.

Southern Oregon University

1250 Siskiyou Boulevard

Ashland, OR 97520

800-482-7672

sou.edu

ATHLETICS

Don’t forget to cheer for the fearless SOU Raiders as they compete in football, wrestling, basketball, soccer, volleyball and other valley sports. souraiders.com

OREGON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Oregon Center for the Arts at SOU is an important pillar of the Ashland community, attracting distinguished luminaries to the Southern Oregon University campus as well as presenting their own highly acclaimed music, theatre, art exhibitions, and other public events. The Schneider Museum of Art, part of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University, houses four galleries comprising of 4,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Museum is a vital force in the intellectual life of Southern Oregon University that promotes an understanding of the visual arts within a liberal arts education. Serving both an academic and community audience, it builds a challenging environment that engages with the visual arts through exhibitions and programs supporting interdisciplinary study, research, and discourse. Please check out their seasonal contemporary art exhibitions, free docent-led Tuesday Tours at noon, FREE Family Days, artist and curator lectures, and performances by visiting sma.sou.edu. The Museum is open Monday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm. Free and open to the public.

The Center for Visual Arts (CVA) Galleries, located in the Art Building and the Marion Ady Building, give students and community artists the opportunity to exhibit their current work. Visit the CVA Galleries Monday–Friday. Their Theater and Music concert events feature faculty, students, alumni, and visiting artists. See events listing and purchase tickets online at oca.sou.edu or in person at their Box Office located in the Music Building.

oca.sou.edu • sma.sou.edu

sou.edu/art/galleries

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THE JOURNEY TOWARD LEADERSHIP:

The Honors College at SOU

Students of the Honors College of SOU experience an intensive education that provides challenges to help identify true passions and preparation for graduate school and rewarding careers. Their students begin making a difference the day they set foot on campus.

Small classes are taught by faculty who actively engage students and push them to exceed their own expectations. The Honors College at Southern Oregon University provides opportunities for students to transform themselves from learners into leaders.

sou.edu/honorscollege

HANNON LIBRARY

Hannon Library is one of the cultural and intellectual centers of the university, advocating the advancement of knowledge by providing access to quality information and actively guiding the discovery process. In support of the diverse programs available at SOU, the library cultivates extensive resources in each area of study. Students can find a designated librarian that specializes in whatever subject they are studying and receive one-on-one research assistance. The library also provides numerous services ranging from tutoring, career advising, and special event venues. It is a dynamic institution that embraces new technologies and trends, responding to the evolving needs of the campus. 800-482-7672

Rogue Community College, the Path is Clear

There are many paths in life. At Rogue Community College, the path is clear. It’s open to every person ready to embrace life, unlock their potential, and build their future.

RCC offers 80 degree and certificate programs leading to high-paying careers and transfers to four-year universities, including a variety of workforce and short-term trainings, small business development, GED classes and community education.

RCC is also expanding with new high-tech training centers to help build the regional economy. It is an economic engine with an annual economic impact of over $240 million.

RCC has two campuses in Jackson County, one in downtown Medford and one in White City, and a campus in Josephine County in Grants Pass.

Discover where the RCC path can take you. Call 541-956-7500 or visit roguecc.edu.