Molalla River Academy

Molalla River Academy sits in the small, rural community of Molalla, about 30 miles southeast of Portland, where the pace is slower and the landscape opens up into farmland and forests at the edge of the Cascades. The academy draws families who prefer an alternative or charter-style setting over a traditional school experience, but the academic outcomes here trail well behind state averages in both English and math, so families with strong academic priorities may want to look closely at whether the program is the right fit for their child. That said, for families already rooted in the Molalla area who value the tight-knit, rural character of the community, it's worth visiting and talking to current parents to get a real feel for what the school offers day to day.