112 Summit View Ave SE
Salem, OR 97306

My son attended Crossler for 2 years before we removed him for other public school options. My child needed something different than what was offered at Crossler. It's a school that suffers from violent acts by the students both to the property and to the children. The system of teachers, behavioral specialists and administration are not a connected web and so our child did not receive student-centered education. Each of them work within a silo. It appears as if the administration and teachers are reactive and instead of proactive and it appears there is no professional development available to help the adults learn how to teach children who do not fit-in or successfully manage the overcrowded violent box. Chronically, my child was sent to "PASS" room, which is a room without a teacher where children go when they cannot manage themselves in the traditional environment. My child was sent to the PASS room so often that it essentially bypassed his opportunity to receive education. We loved the orchestra program there and we were sad to leave it, but my child has thrived in a more supportive environment elsewhere.

I have had a very good experience at Sumpter!

I’m a previous student and this isn’t the worst school but it’s not great either. There is a few special Ed classes but they almost never follow the student’s ISP… They also have a harmful way of handling mental health related issues. They resort to punishment like detention, suspension and referrals and show no empathy or concern. I dropped out in 2018. If they had just taken the time to get proper training for mental health this school would be a lot better. Disabled students (especially developmentally disabled students) and students with mental health conditions that affect behaviors and/or impair their lives should avoid this school if at all possible. The way the handle things there only lead to me lashing out more from frustration. No one believed me about my mental health or situation even though I had history that would create a suspicion of lying. Every time I needed a break, needed space, needed to be alone, couldn’t focus, had a break down, etc. they talked down to me like I was the problem and I’d get in trouble. I really hope they’ve improved in recent years because I’m still affected by their negative way of handling mental health conditions.