condition of ocsd schools
About OCSD
For 150 years, Oregon City School District has provided this community with high-quality education. The district was founded in 1874 and serves the city Oregon City, Beavercreek, area Redland area, and parts of Milwaukie.
It is one of 10 public school districts located in Clackamas County and is the sixteenth-largest school district in Oregon and the third-largest in the county. Our district provides a program of education from kindergarten through grade twelve and served approximately 7,000 students over the course of the 23-24 school year.
Our district operates two high schools, two middle schools, six elementary schools, and three charter schools. Of the three charter schools, one operates as a middle school and a high school – Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences (CAIS). This charter school operates under the direction of district administration and is staffed by district employees. It should be noted that Oregon City Service Learning Academy (OCSLA) was a district charter in 23-24 but is becoming a district option school in 24-25.
The two remaining charter schools operate independently. Springwater Environmental Sciences School (SESS) provides a program of education from kindergarten through 8th grade, and the Alliance Charter Academy (ACA) provides a program of education from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our district is legally required to provide special education programs and support that meet state and federal requirements to their students so that district staff work in our Special Education classes at those schools. All other staff are employed by the charter.
Under Oregon law, our district is considered a financially independent, special-purpose municipal corporation, and is responsible for educating children residing within the boundaries of our district. Our district discharges this responsibility by building, operating, and maintaining school facilities; developing and maintaining approved educational programs and courses of study, including vocational programs and programs for handicapped students, in accordance with State standards; and carrying out programs for transportation and feeding of pupils in accordance with District, State, and Federal guidelines.
About the 2025 Bond Projects
In 2003 Oregon City School District began a three phased approach to updating and modernizing our schools; making buildings safe and accessible; while keeping the cost to taxpayers low.
The 2003 school bond created a new high school for our community. And in 2018, we came together to build two state-of-the-art middle schools and provide critical security updates in every school in the district.
Although we’ve made significant progress in our district, our six elementary schools have challenges. The average age of our six elementary schools is 62 years and our two oldest schools are 76 years old. These schools have not been updated since they were originally built and have basic building systems like plumbing, heating and air conditioning that are failing.
As we look to the third and final phase, we will address these significant health, safety, and educational inadequacies in our district’s six elementary schools with the 2024 bond.
Safety, Security, and Accessibility
Oregon City’s six elementary schools have restrooms, parking lots, and security fencing that are aging. Several buildings contain asbestos and some lack accessible playgrounds and spaces. All elementary classrooms currently do not have air conditioning.
Oregon City’s Schools Have Aging Building Systems
The safety of Oregon City students and staff is our highest priority. OCSD’s six elementary schools were not built to address today’s students' needs.
The average age of our six elementary schools is 62 years and our two oldest schools are 76 years old. These schools have not been updated since they were built and have the original basic building systems like plumbing and heating. Additionally, all of our elementary classrooms lack air conditioning.
Expand Student Opportunities and Student Suppports
Oregon City elementary schools are crowded and spaces for eating, counseling, special education are limited. Many cafeterias and outdoor playground spaces are not adequate. In addition, Oregon City High School Career and Technical Education career-readiness programs are in demand.
