School's Back in Session in the Heart of Milwaukie Neighborhood

 

Many longtime residents of the historic Hector Campbell neighborhood in Milwaukie are glad the wait is over.  

“Kids are back, which is really awesome, and it’s kind of nice to see the school being used for what it’s for,” said a smiling Alexia Allan, whose front yard sits directly across the street from the former Campbell Elementary School.

Once a sprawling, three-level school echoing with playground laughter and buzzing school bells throughout each day, Campbell was the cornerstone of their Milwaukie neighborhood for more than five decades. But since the school's closure in 2011, the building sat quietly, housing different North Clackamas School District departments and occasional staff trainings.

Fast forward to this September, and to the delight of nearby neighbors, the corner of Southeast 47th and Railroad Avenue has sprung back to life with more than 220 students in grades K-8 shuffling to class each morning and skipping across the playground throughout the day.

Welcome to your new neighborhood, Cascade Heights Public Charter School! The NCSD-sponsored school relocated over the summer from its former Clackamas location to its new home in the heart of Milwaukie, and Principal Kristin Macy has a hard time holding in her excitement. “This transition has been amazing. It has exceeded every expectation,” said the enthusiastic principal. “For the move itself over the summer, the staff handled it beautifully.”

As a charter school, Cascade Heights is a unique member of the NCSD family. Though not governed by the NCSD school board, the school's charter serves as a contract between the school and district, and allows Cascade Heights to choose its own curriculum, academic focus, and procedural guidelines. For example, all Cascade Heights students wear uniforms each day, which include solid red or white shirts with collars and navy blue pants, shorts, or skirts.

"The best part is I don't have to take a lot of time in the morning to pick out my outfit," said seventh grader Harper Macy, who has attended the school since kindergarten.

School colors were on full display during the highly anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony in late August, when hundreds of students and families arrived to reconnect, tour their new campus, meet teachers, and enjoy an ice cream treat.  “It’s fun to see how teachers took the spaces and made them their own,” said fifth grade teacher Sarah O’Malley. “We all have new classrooms and they're all very different and reflect the teacher’s personality, which is really fun.”

Students are certainly excited about the new location as well. “Our new school feels bigger and more spread out,” said third grader Amelia Follen. Fourth grader Harold Judar even noticed the small details.  “I like that there’s outside hallways and new clocks!”

And what's in store for the future of Cascade Heights in its new location? Principal Macy says one of her biggest goals is to build lasting relationships with the school's new neighbors who have been longing for the sounds of schooldays to return. “We want to help build the community and be a part of the city of Milwaukie,” she said.

Nearby residents like Allan can't wait. "So far it’s been really great seeing students back over there, and I’m hoping it will increase opportunities for them in the area. It’s just nice to have more kids around, that's for sure.”