Who We Are
Our Mission
The mission of Oregon Outreach, Inc. is to provide an accredited academic program and a support system, which assists the student to succeed in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
About Oregon Outreach
Oregon Outreach’s alternative school programs assist youth who have previously dropped out of the traditional school setting, or who are at high risk to drop out.
Oregon Outreach programs provide individualized instruction, small class size, comprehensive supportive services, and high academic standards. Support services are offered to help the student stabilize their life so that education can become a reality. In 1994 our first student graduated. Since that time over 360 students have earned their high school diploma through our programs.
Building on our success with students in Portland’s inner city, we responded to requests from other school districts to expand our operation. Since the mid 1990s, Oregon Outreach has provided alternative educational services to fifteen Oregon school districts. Please read our FAQ page to our most common questions about our organization and our programs and services.
Oregon Outreach History
Oregon Outreach, Inc. (OOI) was formed in 1988 to provide social services to gang-affiliated youth in north and northeast Portland. Programming consisted of pre-employment training and job placement services. However, the need for educational programming became apparent, so the organization registered with the Oregon Department of Education as a school, while continuing to work with juvenile parole and probation offices.
Then, realizing that there were many kinds of students without a school program, OOI established two more satellite schools: Alberta Learning Center for middle school students; and Simpson Learning Center for students with drug and alcohol dependency. In May of 1993, these programs were merged in order to provide more comprehensive services for the students and renamed Gladys McCoy Academy, which serves youth and adults. To help address the needs of other students in various neighborhoods and communities, more satellites were developed. The first satellite opened in May of 1993. OOI now has three programs: Gladys McCoy Academy in NE Portland, Molalla Academy, and Scappoose Academy.
Each school site provides a positive academic experience for each of its students. The majority of students are at risk or outside the traditional school system. Some students need a smaller, more-tailored academic plan to reach their educational goals. By developing a program to suit the specific needs of each student, they are able to graduate from high school and work towards completing their educational goals.
School Accreditation and Teacher Licensure
OOI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, alternative private high school, registered with the Oregon Department of Education. OOI is accredited through Cognia. Each OOI classroom has at least one Masters level instructor who is licensed to teach by the state of Oregon. OOI graduates have been accepted into colleges, apprenticeship programs, and the military.
The following is a list of awards that Oregon Outreach has received:
- 2008 Spirit of Portland Award
- 2012 World Harmony Torch Bearer Award
- Presidential 972nd Point of Light Designation
- Red Cross Community Education Award
- National Child Labor Committee Lewis Hine Award
- Loaves and Fishes Community Partnership Award
- NW Youth Film Award
- Oregon Girls Initiative’s Spirit of Women Award