Molalla River Academy

16897 South Callahan Road

School District

Molalla River 35
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

charter

School Map for Molalla River School District 35

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 parent on December 31, 2017

Molalla River Academy is a true gem in our community. We were prepared to move out of Molalla to find better schools, only to discover that this incredible school is on our backyard. Students at MRA are getting an educational experience similar to some of the top private schools in Portland, in a free public charter school. MRA has a music program that is unlike any other. Every student learns to read music and play a variety of instruments, as well as composition and music history. The PE program allows all students to grow and appreciate health and wellness, while building confidence and knowledge of the human body. MRA offers a school garden that all students participate in, growing and eating the produce they start from seed. The teachers at MRA are not only dedicated to their craft, but also to meeting each student where they are. They not only teach academics, but also habits of mind, character building, and skills for lifelong learning. Keep in mind that negative reviews of any school are often based on personal, biased experiences. We live in a time where schools are expected to take on parental responsibility, with schools being blamed for conflict and behavior, while dealing with unreasonable parent expectations. Having children that have attended MRA and moved on to high school, I can say that we never experienced what the other reviewer claims. While that may be their experience, please take such reviews with a grain of salt. Visit the school, take a tour, and observe the teachers. My only wish is that this school was bigger, so that more students in the community could experience this kind of education!
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2017

This review was hard to write. It never feels good to make others feel bad. There ARE good people on staff at this school. I felt it was important to take the time and give an honest review of the school to warn other parents who are considering sending their kids. Had we not experienced the bullying issues, my opinion of the school would be much higher. Unfortunately our issues were never properly resolved and now I know that while the school claims to have a zero tolerance for bullying, that is not the truth.In the beginning we loved MRA. It’s a little hard for me to rate the school. My idealistic side loves that it’s a small town school in a beautiful country setting. We really had no problems in the younger grades. However, once my kids got to the ages where conflicts arose and other kids were acting out against them, my beautiful and perfect image of the school was shattered.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2015

I love this school. I have to move to be closer to my husband's work and am very worried that we wont find another school I like as much as this one. I love the size and how the secretary knows which parent goes with which kid. I love the math program that encourages using lots of different methods to solve a problem so kids can find out the best way that works for them (I think if I'd learned that way I wouldn't hate math as much as I do). I love the amount of recess time the kids get and how they spend even more time outside doing lessons in the garden and running on the newly built nature trail. The music and PE programs are also great. I've liked the teachers my kids have had. Especially Beth Breiten. I like just listening to her talk to the kids. She's respectful treats them like they're not just little kids. It inspires them to excel and yet she teaches at age appropriate levels. Plus she's so fun! I also think the staff in general does a great job keep the parents informed and involved. The only drawbacks of this school is that there's no bus system and no hot lunch program so everyone has to bring lunch from home. And parent involvement is require. Plus lots of fundraisers!
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

I was a little nervous about sending my kids to a charter school, not knowing what level the academics would be held to. We were very attracted to the small classes and the arts and sciences environment. The curriculum music, which is an essential part of high academic progress ( tons of literature to support this). Horticulture and environment are also a strong part of the culture and curriculum here. The academic standards are beyond most of the local schools. Education is beyond classroom learning, the school is excellent about meeting students where they are and very much appreciating individuality. The learning experience is very hands on, very active learning. It is impressive what can be fit into a day of school. Previously my kids were bored in the public school setting , that is not the case here. There is a big advocacy for physical activity, healthy eating, respect and compassion; kids here are held accountable and the school really teaches the whole person. It is an outstanding school, kids thrive here as people not just as students.