From our friends at MITCH Charter School:
MITCH Charter School
Location: Tualatin, Oregon
Grades Served: K–5
Enrollment: Approximately 235 students
Mission Snapshot: At MITCH, we empower students to learn and lead in community.
A Community-centered school
Founded in 2001, MITCH Charter School is a public, tuition-free charter school that offers families a hands-on, community-based approach to elementary education. We believe that children learn best when they are connected: to one another, to their community, and to their world.
Whole-child education
MITCH combines content-rich, robust academics and real-world learning experiences with a warm, relational school culture. Applying context to content is integral to our approach, sparking curiosity and critical thinking in every student. Through exploring, reflecting, building, experimenting, and collaboration, students are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and discover how their learning shapes the world around them.
Highlights include
Small class sizes: In classes of 22 or less, dedicated and experienced educators create an environment where every child is known and valued. Families describe MITCH as a place where students not only develop academic confidence but also build meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose in their learning.
Content-Rich Academics: Students engage in interdisciplinary learning that connects history, science, and literacy. Weekly Music, Art, PE and Garden classes, frequent field trips, and grade-level events provide opportunities to learn and grow beyond the classroom. From studying ecosystems to growing plants in the school’s gardens, lessons bring learning to life and nurture a love of discovery.
Instructional Best Practices: Teachers use evidence-based approaches – like Culturally Responsive Teaching, the Science of Reading, and conceptual math frameworks – to build student agency and strong literacy and numeracy foundations, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving.
Focus on Text: MITCH prioritizes hands-on, collaborative learning over digital instruction. Students spend their days reading texts, exploring, building, and creating rather than sitting behind screens. Chromebooks have been introduced over the years for research projects to teach critical thinking, digital awareness, and responsibility.
SEL & Restorative Practices: Through our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, students build empathy, resilience, and connection. When challenges arise, restorative conversations help students take responsibility, repair harm, and strengthen relationships – fostering a positive and relational school climate.
Free Breakfast, Lunch, & Transportation: In partnership with Tigard-Tualatin School District, MITCH offers free meals and transportation to every student. MITCH also offers uniforms, nutritional support, and connection to resources for families in need through our Counseling Program.
Learn more
Open seats are currently available in grades 3 through 5. Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year opens soon! Families interested in joining the MITCH community are invited to:
Visit www.mitchcharterschool.org for enrollment details and open house dates.
Follow @mitch.charterschool on Instagram for school highlights and community updates.
At MITCH Charter School, learning is hands-on and rooted in community – where curiosity grows, relationships flourish, and every student has the opportunity to thrive.
