654 Erica
Albany, OR 97321

We have 3 kids at Oak Grove Elementary and we can’t say enough about how amazing this school is. Every teacher we’ve interacted with has been amazing. The principal is fun and engaging. They offer incredible off hours activities for students and families that take a lot of work and effort to pull off. They recognize student accomplishments and reward positive behavior. One of our kids has an IEP and they have helped him blossom. Most importantly, they know their students. Just this morning my 8 year old said, “you got us in the best school. We get to do so much fun stuff.” Thank you Oak Grove Elementary - you’re doing an amazing job and we appreciate you!

This school was revamped a couple years ago and has a new staff and updated classrooms. The staff is always helpful and willing to work with the kids. Education is priority one. The smaller classes really help with learning. And it's not all recess here. There are good guidelines they try to meet and help with development

This school pressed charges against my son because a staff member was warned to not go near him during a time-out (special needs) and she did anyhow. I should note he is a type 1 diabetic and they withheld insulin so his blood sugar reading was 185, to 350, throughout the event. Over 150 causes uncontrolled rage in most adults. As she turned to leave he shoved the back of her knee with his foot. There was no red mark, and the police could not see any bruises or indication of damage. The staff member complained it hurt so loudly that police said she should go to a doctor and get it on record. She didn’t want to so they said they could only charge him with harassment, not ASSULT as she wished. The courts dismissed this and didn’t even put it on his record. The social worker for my son came to advocate and after speaking 1 on 1 the court people said my son was wasn’t even capable of understanding the incident or punishment or laws. From that day on my son was different, though. He was quiet, depressed, and he couldn’t trust new people. It took his newest school a full year just to undo the damage this middle school caused him. We are lucky he hasn’t attempted suicide yet. If he does, one day, it will be due to North Albany Middle School withholding his insulin and refusing to treat a blood sugar over 150… and then having zero compassion for a kid with autism.Autistic people: Flee while you are able to.My son was straight F’s here but he passed physics as a Freshman at the next school. He is able to learn when given the right tools. His IQ was tested by the state as over 135 - and to get a true estimate we were told we would have to schedule special testing with MENSA. These people failed him and when we called to update them on how awesome he did at the next school (with tips how they managed so maybe NAMS would adopt similar styles approaching special needs) they refused to talk to me or call me back.

I started going here last year, my first time in a public school. Everyone claims west is some “amazing school where everyone gets along, no bullying at all and everyone has good grades” but it is the complete opposite. When going to West Albany, I was constantly bullied and when I would try to speak out about it to an admin, they would act like it was my fault, that I had caused the issues. When you do get reported by a kid and an admin talks to you, they will listen and act like they care what you’re saying. But later, they will explain to your parents the complete opposite that you broke so many rules, when you never did. The graduation rate is very misleading and the teachers do not help the kids. Instead of this, end of freshman year/mid sophomore year, they start pushing kids out to Albany Options that are not performing well, instead of helping them succeed. They want to keep that rate up, which I get, but still you need to help students who are making you money. Most people would say “South Albany is some horrible place where everyone has fights everyday, doe’s drugs and smokes” it’s the same at west. These are how the 4 middle schools that’s serve Albany are like. South Albany is likely the better option for your child, even if you don’t think so. Please teach your kids to be kind everyone, you never want YOUR kid to be the reason someone doesn’t wanna go to school.