Beaverton's Hope Chinese Charter School Defies the Norm, Chooses Independence
The Beaverton School District's offer to become the district's second Chinese dual language program was turned down by the Hope Chinese Charter School's board members. Instead, the school will maintain its charter status and continue its search for a new campus, as it is outgrowing its current flood-prone location. Charter schools typically receive 80-85% of per-pupil public funding but operate independently from their sponsoring school district, with their own governance and non-unionized teachers and staff.
The Mandarin language immersion charter school began with a small group in 2012 and has grown into a highly sought-after K-8 program with over 100 students on its waitlist. In the spring of 2025, 90% of its students demonstrated mastery of grade-level math skills on state tests, ranking among the highest in the state.
Finding suitable buildings for growth has been challenging in densely populated Beaverton. Meanwhile, the Beaverton School District faces declining enrollment due to falling birth rates, rising housing prices, and families opting for homeschooling, online learning, or private schools.
The district is constructing an elementary school in the Raleigh Hills neighborhood to accommodate around 750 students, which has raised concerns among families at nearby smaller elementary schools about the potential closure of their aging buildings.
Bringing Hope Chinese Charter into the district as a program could have addressed both enrollment and facility issues. However, the school district did not specify the exact location for the school's relocation.
The school district's enrollment forecasts and building utilization plans indicate that only the Raleigh Hills Elementary building could accommodate the students. The promise of a new building and full benefits from the Beaverton Education Association union were appealing, but community and board members were deeply concerned about losing curriculum autonomy and the potential for budget cuts affecting long-term teachers and support staff.
Sarah Walton, the school board vice-chair, likened the school's decision to the classic children's book 'The Little Engine That Could,' emphasizing the need for flexibility in school districts to accommodate diverse educational options and counter enrollment trends. She expressed the school's unique nature and the decision to prioritize its mission over potential resources and facilities.
A Beaverton School District committee's recommendations suggest that aging buildings with fewer than 350 students should not be overlooked. Instead, the district should evaluate the condition, seismic stability, enrollment forecasts, and equitable comparison with newer facilities before replacing or renovating buildings over 75 years old. The committee also recommended a new focus on elementary schools with less than 350 students or those with low occupancy rates.
