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Average

#571 of 1,226 schools in OR

Top 47% in state

Childs Way Charter School

School · South Lane SD 45J3

37895 Row River Rd, Dorena, OR 97434

Charter

Enrollment

96

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dorena

#1 of 2

public schools

Oregon schools

#33 of 80

In district

#1 of 9

South Lane SD 45J3

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Childs Way Charter School

Childs Way Charter School is a unique educational institution located in the rural community of Dorena, Oregon. Serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, this charter school offers a small-scale learning environment with an enrollment of just 96 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.2:1. With only five full-time equivalent teachers, Childs Way Charter School focuses on personalized attention to help each student reach their potential.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 reflects its position in the state rankings at #381 among 1231 schools, placing it around the 69th percentile overall. Academically, Childs Way Charter School has a score of 8.2/10, with students performing well above average in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading—75% are proficient or above. However, proficiency levels in math are lower at 25%, indicating areas for improvement.

Nestled in the rural setting of Dorena, Childs Way Charter School is a tight-knit community where students benefit from close relationships with teachers and peers. The school's commitment to individualized learning ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 96 students, Childs Way Charter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Childs Way Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Childs Way Charter School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics7.6Very Good33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness6.8Above Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,077

Childs Way Charter School — Students at Childs Way Charter School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores OR EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 75.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

How Childs Way Charter School Compares

See how Childs Way Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in OR
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Location

37895 Row River Rd, Dorena, OR 97434

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Childs Way Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Bridge Charter Academy (rated 5.6/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Lowell), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Academy for Character Education (rated 5.1/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Cottage Grove), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dorena, see our Dorena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Dorena School Dorena 3.2 mi 5.1
Lundy Elementary School Lowell 15.4 mi 7.5
Mountain View Academy Lowell 15.4 mi 6.4
Lowell Junior/Senior High School Lowell 15.4 mi 2.0
Bridge Charter Academy Lowell 15.4 mi 5.6
Harrison Elementary School Cottage Grove 12.3 mi 6.5
COTTAGE GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cottage Grove 12.4 mi
Al Kennedy High School Cottage Grove 13.3 mi 5.3
Lincoln Middle School Cottage Grove 12.5 mi 4.2
Academy for Character Education Cottage Grove 12.9 mi 5.1
Cottage Grove High School Cottage Grove 12.8 mi 3.7
London School Cottage Grove 12.4 mi 3.8
Bohemia Elementary School Cottage Grove 13.3 mi 6.5
Pleasant Hill High School Pleasant Hill 18.2 mi 4.1
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Pleasant Hill 18.3 mi 8.2
JASPER MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Jasper 19.1 mi
Creswell Middle School Creswell 17.6 mi 7.9
Creslane Elementary School Creswell 17.9 mi 7.3
Creswell High School Creswell 18.1 mi 4.8
EMERALD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pleasant Hill 20.1 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97434 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,956

Median Home Value

$285,900

Median Rent

$1,069/mo

Population

799

College Educated

31.1%

Homeownership

62.6%

Poverty Rate

35.9%

Median Age

48.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Childs Way Charter School has a median household income of $52,956. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,900, with a median rent of $1,069/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SERENDIPITY CENTER Portland, OR 6.6
VILLAGE FREE SCHOOL Portland, OR 6.4
BRIDGEWAY HOUSE Eugene, OR 6.3
Compass K-12 Online School Toledo, OR 6.3
Ione Community Charter School Ione, OR 6.9
LIGHTHOUSE APOSTOLIC ACADEMY La Grande, OR 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Childs Way Charter School

What grades does Childs Way Charter School serve?

Childs Way Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Childs Way Charter School?

Childs Way Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 96 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Childs Way Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Childs Way Charter School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Childs Way Charter School rank in OR?

Childs Way Charter School is ranked #571 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Childs Way Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Childs Way Charter School has a composite rating of 6.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Childs Way Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Childs Way Charter School has 25.0% math proficiency and 75.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Childs Way Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Childs Way Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Childs Way Charter School a Title I school?

No, Childs Way Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (340/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
96
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Lane SD 45J3
District Enrollment
2,680
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,603
District Rank
#1 of 9

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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