Black Butte School Overview
Nestled in the heart of the Metolius Basin the Black Butte School is a public, K-8 school, serving students from throughout the region. The school offers a dynamic educational experience that leverages the local community and the unique bioregion of the Metolius Basin to enhance student learning. The field-based curriculum blends classroom lessons with real world exper
iences and adventures to foster students' genuine curiosity, knowledge, and confidence. Our School
Our K-8 students learn inside and outside an intimate two-room schoolhouse nestled in the heart of the Metolius Basin. The Basin is home to a vibrant community of people, a Wild and Scenic River, and a diversity of plants and animals—all of which have important lessons to teach. The schoolhouse, built in 1951, has two classrooms used for mixed age groups of lower and upper grade students, a multipurpose space, and a solarium. The grounds around the school border many miles of public land and include a sports field, basketball court, and a playground. While students spend most of their time on the school grounds, they leave campus regularly to learn in the field. Our Philosophy & Values
Our core values: community, curiosity, learning, stewardship, and wellness, are the foundation of how we educate and empower our students. We believe
• an inclusive and positive community and a healthy environment enables all students to thrive;
• place-based experiences and adventures help students to learn about themselves, their communities, and the greater world in memorable and transformational ways;
• educational experiences need to be dynamic, opportunistic, individualized, and holistic in order to develop the whole child emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and physically;
• inter-disciplinary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) based programs organized thematically provide authentic opportunities for learning; and
• well-designed projects engage students in solving real-world problems that benefit the community and empower them to develop leadership skills and confidence. Our Goals
The Black Butte School strives to educate students who:
• have a strong sense of place and feel connected to the people and environments around them,
• can confidently apply skills in math and literacy to real world situations,
• are life-long learners curious about the world they live in,
• take personal responsibility for their actions and education, and
• are leaders for positive change in their communities.
