SCHOOLS

The Eugene/Springfield area contains three public school districts and numerous private schools. Those include elementary schools and high schools of various denominations and special education centers for all students—gifted, as well as physically and mentally challenged. Local students and faculty frequently receive honors for their quality of education.

Eugene School District 4J

Students in School District 4J find many options to traditional public education at the district’s numerous alternative schools. Programs offered include French, Spanish, and Japanese bilingual education (grades kindergarten through 5), art education (grades kindergarten through6), computer technology (grades 6-8), and two International High Schools. The district also has the “opportunity Center”, a notable fifth high school for at-risk students.

Springfield School District 19

The Springfield School District consists of 17 elementary schools, four middle schools, and two senior high schools. Nearly 11,000 students are enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12. In 1993, one of Springfield’s two high schools prepared two National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists.

Bethel School District 52

Bethel School District serves more than 4,000 students in northwest Eugene and the surrounding area. In its five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Willamette High School was one of the six schools chosen to pilot the state’s new bill revising Oregon’s schools to reflect the changing needs of students.

University of Oregon

The University of Oregon, a member of the Association of American Universities, is one of the top major public research universities in the country. The University offers strong programs in the liberal arts and basic sciences, with a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs in all of these areas. Most of these programs rank nationally in the top cartel of such programs in major institutions. Closely integrated with the University’s College of Arts and Sciences are six professional schools and colleges—Business, Law, Architecture and Allied Arts, Music, Education, and Journalism. These are also highly ranked nationally, with the programs in architecture, business, and journalism considered among the best in the nation. The University of Oregon excels in its dual mission: transmitting existing information and expanding the frontier of knowledge through research. The University receives nearly $50 million in outside research contracts each year. When Sony Disc Manufacturing and Symantec Corp. announced plans for their Eugene facilities, they made no secret as to why the Eugene/Springfield area topped their list of prospective sites. It was access to a high-skilled, well-educated work force enriched by exposure to both the University of Oregon and the job-training programs offered by nationally ranked Lane Community College.

Lane Community College

Lane Community College offers career training, college transfer courses, community education classes, and services to assist business and industry. Lane offers a full complement of courses relating to business management, computing, and office administration, as well as 50 career programs in subjects ranging from nursing to electronics. This award-winning college is dedicated to helping students succeed. Each year, approximately 37,000 people from the community enroll in one or more college classes. In addition, through its Continuing Education courses, the college helps local residents develop talent, hobbies, and leisure pursuits to better enjoy all that Oregon offers. Lane Community College has a national reputation for high-quality educational programs and has been recognized since 1985 as one of the top five community colleges in the United States.