Arts & Communication High School

11375 Southwest Center Street

School District

Beaverton 48j
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Beaverton School District 48j

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on March 09, 2024

ACMA prepared me so much as an artist and gave me the diverse experience to move on as a Graphic Design student. I feel like the school prepared me pretty well in that area. The biggest problem ACMA has is its lack of acceptance of diverse ideologies. The students and teachers alike will infuse their own beliefs in their curriculum to the point where they become passionate and emotional about it and it takes away a lot from the actual content. It’s a great school for students that are extremely left-leaning that don’t accept other ways of life, but if you don’t sit on that far end of the political spectrum, I highly discourage attending this school, unless you don’t mind being silent about your own ideas.
Submitted by student on July 09, 2021

I have been in this school for close to two years now and I already love it. The teachers help you if you need help with anything and they can be hilarious. They teach really well and they are nice and give you a good amount of homework. The classrooms are great and well maintained. The amount of character in this school is the most that I have ever seen. No matter who you are you will always be welcome in this school. I've never noticed any bullying, unlike other schools. This school has lots of events and they always make them as fun as they can. The leadership is great because whenever something is about to happen like an event or something that happened at school a teacher or the principal or any staff member will contact your parents. I totally recommend this school if you like any kind of art.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2019

Our child was treated like an outcast because of their disability. The school did not support them. They let our child down. As long as you are not too disabled, and meet the style of children they are looking for, you will do just fine.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2019

A+ if you can get in. It is not open to all. You have to apply and if you care for your children I would highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on December 28, 2015

I see a lot of comments about there being "no rules" at ACMA and am compelled to comment. I'm a parent with friends whose kids attend different schools in and out of the district and hear about all kinds of over-the-top micromanaging rules. I appreciate the fact that the ACMA faculty is not there to babysit our kids. The students are there to learn, not be nit picked about what they are wearing or if they are chewing gum or, in some cases, whether they wearing earphones. They hold my kid accountable. My kid has had to learn via natural consequences that you have to have discipline and integrity to succeed academically -- and as an artist. I believe this will benefit him as he transitions to college and the real world. Needless to say there are real consequences and disciplinary actions for situations involving drugs, bullying, etc. I also appreciate that there are lots of opportunities for kids to get involved in a variety of activities and that the teachers are interacting with the kids in a variety of ways. For example, the math and lit teachers are very involved in the theatre dept. My kid will leave ACMA feeling supported, encouaged, and respected as an individual. I hope your student finds the right fit, too, whether its ACMA or elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

ACMA has strong test scores and is academically challenging. The diversity of programs also enable students to become exceptional in their chosen pathway. We have a long waiting list. Once the school is rebuilt, we may have capacity for more students. My student has been attending for 4 years, and while she may complain about the rigorous expectations, she loves the artistic and open culture at the school.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2014

VERY disappointed in this school. We had such high hopes! Kids have WAY too much freedom with no real structure. Teachers are not as connected as they should be. My son went from being a TAG student doing great in school to not caring about his assignemnts at all and not having any consequences at school for any of it, just at home. I busted the janitor driving VERY fast and wrecklessly in the parking lot & he never had any consequences for it. He's still there after 6 months. He could have hurt a kid considering there were several outside at the time. It's cool that the kids have special classes, my son loves it there because of that & because of the freedom but this school is the WORST I have dealt with so far when it comea to structure and really helping these kids thrive!
Submitted by student on September 03, 2013

i really like it and i love the fact that we get to have all sorts of extra classes but i sorta feel like some of the calsses at my "grade level" aren't challenging enough. although that may just be the whole district as well.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2012

I totally disagree with a previous reviewer regarding the school being not challenging. I find it mighty challenging - my daughter sometimes spends way into her bed time doing homework. Maybe the difference is that we did look into enrolling her in higher level classes (which is totally possible and encouraged by this school), for example - she is in 9th grade Pre-algebra whereas it is her 7th grade. May be it would be wise to look into something like that instead of complaining about lack of challenge - challenge your child, see how it can be done. Also I do not see how it will NOT look good on college application? Love the school, do not love new grading policy - confusing and discouraging to the students, but it was not invented by this school, was done by the District.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2012

Great at art, which is its purpose, but I realized that won't look good on a college application. School should be fun, but I think their lack of rules here is bad, there is too much freedom, I find students becoming more lazy and irresponsable. There is a lot of bullying between middle and high school student and because its a school where you can be yourself tere are some dffernet people, and those who aren't different are sometimes shunned and not given the power to show their true capabilities. Overall its an okay school, jut wish academics were more challenging.