Muddy Creek Charter requests to add sixth grade and expand enrollment; board to follow up on charter amendments

Sarah Danforth, executive director of Muddy Creek Charter School, presented the school's annual report to the Corvallis School Board on Jan. 15 and asked for consideration to add sixth grade and raise the charter's enrollment cap from about 108 to an aspirational 150 students.

Danforth described Muddy Creek's instructional focus on place-based and project-based learning, the return of music programming funded in part by multi-year grants, mentorship and professional learning communities to address staff turnover, and a cautious interpretation of standardized test changes given small cohort sizes. She said recent parent surveys indicate interest in retaining sixth grade at the charter if it were offered, but she described multiple possible options and asked the district to engage in a negotiated amendment process.

District staff said any change to the charter's grade span or enrollment requires a conversation with the Muddy Creek board and a negotiated memorandum (MOU/MOA) before either board could act. "We will reach out to Muddy Creek following this presentation to discuss the charter and potential amendments and timing," Superintendent Ryan Noss said.

Why it matters: charter-grade configuration could alter enrollment patterns and transition pathways under the district's consolidation plan. Muddy Creek serves rural families from Corvallis and nearby towns and requested clarity before its March lottery and re-enrollment timelines.

Next steps: district staff will meet with Muddy Creek leadership to draft possible amendments and consider timing so families know whether sixth grade will be available before lottery/re-enrollment deadlines.