The mission of Springwater Environmental Sciences School is to integrate the sciences throughout the academic core curriculum in a nurturing environment created and maintained by a high level of parent and community involvement. The philosophy of Springwater Environmental Sciences School is that the sciences are conductive to powerful learning, and that increasing the presence of hands-on experiences with “real World” science in all subjects will increase motivation, relevance, and achievement for our students, as well as foster children’s natural curiosity in the world around them.

The core components of Springwater Environmental Sciences School are:

Environmental and sustainable education that:
* develops in students a love and respect for nature through outdoor experiences
* integrates science throughout the curriculum

Inquiry and project-based learning that:
* acts as a core process to develop critical thinking
* facilitates and demonstrates learning

A community of learners where:
* families, students and educators learn from each other
* students are actively involved and present in their education
* students recognize their role and responsibility to themselves, their neighbors, and the world

Environmental education at Springwater Environmental Sciences School:

Environmental sciences, defined as study of the natural world.

Environmental education, defined as a learning process that increases people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the skills to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action.

Sustainability education, defined as a learning process that increases students’ ability to address the challenge of how to maintain community livability, protect natural resources, and sustain a local economy.  Students will develop the skills needed to solve complex environmental issues through understanding different perspectives, analyzing problems, balancing competing needs, and taking informed action to find sustainable solutions.

Springwater's mission and philosophy are reflected in the book "Teaching Green - The Elementary Years: Hands-on Learning in Grades K-5". Read more about "Teaching Green".

Our Vision

The vision for Springwater Environmental Sciences School is to create a comprehensive school program for a maximum of 180 students in grades K-8, providing all students with the opportunity to learn in and through the sciences, building upon and encouraging their natural love of learning.

Family and Volunteers

Springwater will build stronger working relationships among educators, parents and other community members. A core component of Springwater is its relationship with parents and community members, who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help students understand the relevance and importance of their education. All parents are expected to contribute to the Springwater community through a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and supportive roles. Friday field studies are one of the ways in which the relationships between staff, parents, and the larger community will be strengthened and utilized, as well as an artists-in-residence program and partnerships with local and regional environmental science resources such as the Environmental Learning Center, 4-H Wildlife Stewards, Metro, OMSI, the Oregon Zoo, and many others.

Our School Community

Springwater Environmental Sciences School is a public charter school located within the Oregon City School District. We are currently enrolling students in grades K-8 for the 2010-11 school year. Springwater has grown each year and has now reached a comprehensive K-8 program. Springwater will promote strong student-teacher relationships with a small school environment, classes that will not exceed 22 students, and staff who are intimately involved in the design and development of class curriculum. Springwater's K-8 structure is intended to foster and maintain relationships between students, creating a greater sense of community and a broader sense of perspective.

Our Location

Springwater Environmental Sciences School is situated on a rural 5-acre setting in what used to be the Logan Elementary School on Springwater Road in Oregon City. Located near the Clackamas River and surrounded by agricultural and Metro lands, the setting is ideal for the realization of Springwater's focus on environmental sciences.