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Metropolitan Learning Center (Portland, Oregon)

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Coordinates: 45°31′36″N 122°41′36″W / 45.52669°N 122.69332°W / 45.52669; -122.69332
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Metropolitan Learning Center
Address
Map
2033 NW Glisan Street

Portland
,
Multnomah County
,
Oregon
97209

United States
Coordinates45°31′36″N 122°41′36″W / 45.52669°N 122.69332°W / 45.52669; -122.69332
Information
TypePublic
Opened1915
School districtPortland Public Schools
PrincipalPamela Joyner
GradesK-12
Number of students460
CampusUrban
Color(s)Black, White, and Purple    [citation needed]
Athletics conferenceOSAA
MascotUnderdog
RivalChapman Elementary School
WebsiteOfficial school website
This article is about the school in Portland, Oregon. For the school in Bloomfield, Connecticut, see Metropolitan Learning Center (Bloomfield, Connecticut).
Couch School Building
Built1915
ArchitectFloyd Naramore
Architectural styleTudor Revival
Part ofAlphabet Historic District (ID00001293)

The Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC) is a public K-12 school in Portland, Oregon, United States.

MLC is considered an Alternative school.

Academics

In 2008, 86% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 35 students, 30 graduated, 4 dropped out, and 1 received a modified diploma.[1][2]

MLC has the highest English Proficiency in the District (at 100% compared to the district average of 83%), and a math proficiency of 67% (also the district average). MLC was rated "High" on the State Testing Performance Database.

History

Couch School

In 1913 Portland voters were asked to consider a school budget that included new construction to modernize Portland schools. The dilapidated "Couch School," an 1883 structure that had recently closed to contain an outbreak of smallpox,[3][4] would be torn down, and a new Couch School would be built in 1914 at a cost of $177,000.[5]

The architect for the new school was Floyd Naramore, newly employed as architect and superintendent for Portland Public Schools. Naramore was responsible for many Portland school designs including Benson Polytechnic High School and Shattuck School.[6] Reflecting modern standards of the day, Tudor Revival was chosen as the style for Couch School.

Both the 1883 school and the 1914 school were named for Captain John Heard Couch, an early settler whose land became known as the Couch Addition when Northwest Portland was platted.

Metropolitan Learning Center

In 1968, Amasa Gilman convinced Portland Public Schools to begin an experimental study environment at Couch School designated the Metropolitan Learning Center. Starting with 150 students from Couch School and other sites, the center encouraged students to create their own instructional environment. The center worked with Portland State College, later Portland State University, and Reed College to offer student teachers a central role in classroom instruction. The plan resulted in fewer discipline problems and higher attendance.[7]

Later the school building was renamed Metropolitan Learning Center.

Consideration to Close School

In January 2016, parents from the nearby Chapman Elementary introduced a proposition to the School Board to close the school and re-open Couch Elementary School due to Chapman almost overfilling. A week afterward the District and PPS Recommendation Board notified MLC that they will not be closed.

Notable Alumni

See also

MLC's front
A hallway inside MLC

References

  1. ^ "State releases high school graduation rates". The Oregonian. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  2. ^ "Oregon dropout rates for 2008". The Oregonian. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  3. ^ "Taxpayers to Decide Tonight". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Oregonian Media Group. November 25, 1913. p. 10. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ "Couch School House (Portland, Oregon)". University of Oregon Libraries. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  5. ^ "Oregon Historic Site Form: Metropolitan Learning Center" (PDF). Oregon State Historic Preservation Office; Portland Public Schools. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  6. ^ Ritz, Richard Ellison (March 2003). Architects of Oregon. Portland, Oregon: Lair Hill Publishing. p. 293. ISBN 0-9726200-2-8.
  7. ^ Guernsey, John (October 8, 1968). "Children Come And Go As They Please, Work At Own Pace, Receive No Grades". the Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Oregonian Media Group. p. 41. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
An inscription reading "Couch School" on the building
"CES", standing for Couch Elementary School, above a door at MLC.
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