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Forest Grove officials propose renaming CALC to Tualatin Plains High School
Summary
Staff and students at the Community Alternative Learning Center presented a proposal to rename the program "Tualatin Plains High School," citing facility upgrades, student growth and community input.
Staff and student leaders from the Community Alternative Learning Center (CALC) asked the Forest Grove School District 15 board on April 22 to approve renaming the program to Tualatin Plains High School.
Principal Graham introduced a four‑person team that described three years of facility upgrades and program expansion that, they said, reposition the site from a small alternative program into a standalone high‑school program recognized by the Oregon Department of Education. “We went from a staff of six to 15 and from about 35–40 students to roughly 185,” Principal Graham said during the presentation.
Michelle Coleman, who led the staff team that drafted a new mission statement, said the school will emphasize project‑based learning. The proposed mission reads in part: “We empower students to become collaborative problem solvers and innovators by offering project based learning that promotes critical thinking and real world application.”
Teachers and parents described outreach and a two‑round student vote that narrowed naming options; staff said the final choices were closely split between West Valley and Tualatin/Tualatin Plains names and that Tualatin Plains received strong student support. A staff member said the district engaged community partners — including a Pacific University muralist class and local historians — to confirm historical ties to the Tualatin Plains name.
Board members praised the presentation and asked staff to work with communications and community outreach to plan an unveiling and public notification if the board approves the change. Staff said they would coordinate with the district office on next steps and community events.
The presentation did not include a formal board vote that night; staff asked the board to consider the proposal and said they would return with an implementation plan and publicity schedule.
