This page lists the educational opportunities available within Applegate Valley.
Click on a heading below (Enrichment Programs, Accredited Options, Alternative Education, Resources) to see the programs offered in that category.
Please email megan@agreaterapplegate.org if you’d like your program to be included in the directory or submit your information here.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Pacifica: A Garden in the Siskiyous
A Garden in the Siskiyous is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, which has been serving the community of southern Oregon since 1999. A unique 420-acre natural reserve, it is a nature center, botanic garden, educational site, and community center. Pacifica is dedicated to education and to celebration of the environment, plants, local arts, and community: past, present, and future. We offer summer day camps and overnight camps; field trips for homeschoolers, private schools, public schools, charter schools etc.; overnight outdoor school programs; and classes/workshops. The PALS: Pacifica Adventure Learning School offers classes for home-based learning students.
Location: Williams
Cost: Varies depending on program
Timeframe: Year-round
Website: pacificagarden.org or educaton@pacificagarden.org
Phone: 541-846-1100 extension: 2
Grow Youth
The Grow Youth Program combines hands-on scientific field studies and service-learning projects to promote critical thinking and environmental responsibility while contributing to habitat restoration. The program is a collaboration between Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council and the Medford District Bureau of Land Management.
Location: Provolt Recreation Site
Cost: Free
Timeframe: September- December
Name: Charlotte Hyde
Email: charlotte@apwc.info
Phone: (541) 660-3585
Website: https://www.applegatepartnership.org/growyouth
SMART Reading
A children’s literacy nonprofit that serves kids in Oregon’s highest need schools with two ingredients critical for literacy and learning success: one-on-one reading time and access to books. We mobilize volunteers to read with PreK-3rd graders, building confidence, literacy skills and a love of reading. We provide a meaningful way for Oregonians to make a direct impact in their communities.
Location: Currently Serving Applegate Elementary, Ruch Outdoor Community School, and Williams Elementary
Cost: Free
Timeframe: Throughout the school year, during school hours.
Contact: Taylor Melgoza
Email: tmelgoza@smartreading.org
Phone: 541-734-5628
Website: https://smartreading.org/
Studious Music Studios
Beginning through advanced music lessons and tutoring on piano, voice (singing), guitar, drums, percussion, mandolin, ukulele, bass, vibraphone, jazz improvisation, music composition, music theory, songwriting, and music history. Beginning and intermediate lessons offered on all other instruments found in an orchestra, concert band, or jazz band.
Location: Ruch/ China Gulch area. However lessons can be done online or at the student’s house.
Cost: Online 30 minute lessons – $150 / Month. Online 45 minute lessons$220 / Month. In-Person 30 minute lessons $180 / Month. In-Person 45 minute lessons $260 / Month. Hybrid 30 minute lessons $170 / Month. Hybrid 45 minute lessons $250 / Month.
Timeframe: Year-round, after school, summer or whatever works with your schedule.
Website: www.studiousmusicstudios.com
Contact Info: Collin Braley, studiousmusicstudios@gmail.com or 319-939-4525
Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp
AOSC is a multi-week, nature-based summer camp at Cantrall Buckley County Park. Each week offers a different theme that blends natural history, science, art and more through hands-on activities and guided explorations. Led by our passionate team of environmental educators, campers get to investigate the natural world around them, build life-long friendships, and play outdoors five days a week.
Location: Cantrall Buckley Park
Cost: Weekly registration fees vary by year; see our website for up-to-date information
Timeframe: June-August
Website: https://www.applegatepartnership.org/summer-camp
Contact Info: Charlotte Hyde, (541) 660-3585
Email:
| charlotte@apwc.info |
High School Student Leadership Program
PODS Student Leadership Program gets high school students outside and at Outdoor School mentoring fifth and sixth graders. We designed the program to cultivate leadership skills, ecological knowledge, and social intelligence. Through learning to support or lead nature explorations, hikes, and games, students develop skills in communication, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Location: Pacifica: A Garden in the Siskiyous, 14615 Water Gap Road, Williams, OR
Cost: Free
Timeframe: Seasonal
Website: www.pacificagarden.org
Contact Info: Clair Highfield, clair@pacificagarden.org, 541-787-5762
Ruch Outdoor Community School
Nestled in the Applegate Valley, Ruch Outdoor Community School (ROCS) is a K-8 public school in the Medford School District. The school accounts for 77% of the district’s geographical area. ROCS operates a more enriched educational model which leverages characteristics of our rural community and unique bio-region in southern Oregon through place-based education and project-based learning.
Location: Ruch
Cost: FREE!
Timeframe: Medford School District Calendar
Name: Ryan King
Email: ryan.king@medford.k12.or.us
Phone: 541-842-3481
Website: www.ruchschool.org
Hidden Valley High School
Hidden Valley High School is a wonderful country school nestled in the heart of Murphy, Oregon. Surrounded by scenic landscapes and a tight-knit community, HVHS is known for its welcoming atmosphere, strong academic programs, and rich tradition of school pride. Our dedicated staff and students embody our core values of Purpose, Work Ethic, and Respect — Mustang P.W.R. — as they strive for excellence.
Location: 651 Murphy Creek Road
Cost: TBD
Timeframe: August to June
Name: Damian Crowson
Email: damian.crowson@threerivers.k12.or.us
Phone: 541-862-2124
Website: https://3rsd.org.
Woodland Charter School
Woodland Charter School, Kindergarten through 8th grade, brings Waldorf educational philosophy to the public school system. The vision of WCS is to create an alternative school environment that attends to the needs of the whole child. WCS seeks to kindle a life-long love of learning by providing a developmentally appropriate, arts-integrated curriculum which engages the head, heart, and hands.
Location: 301 Murphy Creek Road, Murphy, OR
Cost: FREE!
Timeframe: School Year
Contacts: Chris Carmiencke, Education Director or Heather Saunders, Office Manager
Email: office@woodlandcharterschool.org
Phone: 541-846-4246
Wild Oak Preschool
Wild Oak Preschool is a secular, nature-inspired and play-based curriculum that incorporates STEM education and promotes social, emotional, and cognitive development. Daily rhythms feature morning circle, kitchen time, teacher-led science and arts activities as well as child-led, unstructured art, exploration, and nature play both indoors and out as we explore and connect with the natural world.
Type: Preschool
Location: 17610 Williams Highway, Williams
Timeframe: Year-round
Cost: Varies based on enrollment; ERDC accepted, FT/PT options
Contact Name: Heather Paladini
Email: wildoakpreschool1@gmail.com
Phone: 336-937-2882
Website: http://www.wildoakpreschool.com
Earthwise Forest School
Earthwise Forest School is a small, fully outdoor, nature immersion program operating at Pacifica. We have a mixed-aged preschool/kindergarten class and a 1st/2nd grade class designed to support homeschool families. We offer an academic year program that loosely follows the traditional school schedule from September-May with an extended winter break. Our curriculum includes naturalist skills like animal tracking and wild food foraging, earth-based handcrafts, and seasonal songs and stories. The 1st/2nd grade class also offers academic support in math, reading, and handwriting. In the 2023/2024 school year we will meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 9:30 am-2:00 pm, with an optional extended day from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Type: Preschool/Kindergarten
Location: Pacifica, WIlliams
Cost: Tuition is $425/month for the Sprouts class (preschool/kindergarten) and $500/month for the Saplings (1st/2nd grade). We are Teach NW vendors.
Email: earthwise.children@gmail.com
Mountain Montessori
A homeschool classroom offering education for kindergarten through third graders in a class of ten children or less. Montessori prioritizes mixed-age, hands-on learning materials, work time that supports the development of focus and concentration, self-discovery, and deep respect. Montessori empowers children through personalized instruction, making making choices, collaboration, and independence.
Location: Williams
Cost: Annual tuition
Timing: School year, 4 days a week
Name: Karen Weary
Email: kwearymontessori@gmail.com
Phone: 541-525-5642
Website: http://www.sites.google.com/view/mountain-montessori
Co-Creation School
A nature-based learning sanctuary for ages 4-18 inspired by the Ringing Cedars books and self-directed education methods.
Location: 11805 Williams Hwy Grants Pass
Cost: $200-350 depending on how many days attended
Timing: Fall, spring, summer, and after school club for teens. Currently a vendor through Reach and OpenEd
Name: Eleyah Knight
Email: elatedfamily@gmail.com
Phone: 831-428-4003
Oregon Farm Corps– Beginning Farmer Educational Event
A series of educational events including farm tours, classes, and discussion groups for aspiring and beginning farmers. Including monthly in-person tours and every other week online educational event, from April – October in 2026 on Wednesday afternoons.
Location: Various, many online and throughout the Applegate and Rogue Valley
Cost: $400
Timing: Weekly on Wednesday afternoons from April – October in 2026.
Name: Avry Miller
Email: avry@oregonfarmcorps.org
Website: https://www.oregonfarmcorps.org/event-series
Applegate Branch Library
Public library open Tuesdays 10 – 4, Thursdays 12 – 7, Fridays 10 – 4 and Saturdays 12 – 4.
Location: 18485 N Applegate Road, Grants Pass OR
Cost: Free full service library card for Jackson County
Timing: School year, 4 days a week
Name: Christine Grubb
Email: cgrubb@jcls.org
Phone: 541-846-7346
Website: https://jcls.org/branch/applegate/
Ruch Branch Library
The Ruch Branch Library is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Thursdays from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
We offer programs and events, Library of Things, hotspots, computer and tech help, books/newspapers/magazines, DVDs/audiobooks/music CDs, public computers, Wi-Fi, copies/faxing/scanning/mobile printing, community meeting rooms, and a study room.
Location: 7919 HWY 238, Jacksonville, OR 97530
Cost: Free full-service library card available to all Jackson County residents
Timeframe: Year-round
Name: Megan Pinder
Email: mpinder@jcls.org
Phone: 541-899-7438
Website: https://jcls.org/branch/ruch/
Applegate Branch Library
Public library open Tuesdays 10 – 4, Thursdays 12 – 7, Fridays 10 – 4 and Saturdays 12 – 4.
Location: 18485 N Applegate Road, Grants Pass OR
Cost: Free full service library card for Jackson County
Timing: School year, 4 days a week
Name: Christine Grubb
Email: cgrubb@jcls.org
Phone: 541-846-7346
Website: https://jcls.org/branch/applegate/
Williams Branch Library
We are a full-service public library offering both regular and special programs and events for children, youth and adults, fast free internet access inside or outside the building 5am to 8pm every day, print/scan/fax services, public computers, a private communication booth and park like grounds to enjoy.
Library hours are:
Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday 1-6pm and Friday 11-4pm.
Cost: Free, there may be a charge for out of district library cards
Timeframe: Year Round
Contact: Amber Guient
Email: williamsbranch@josephinelibrary.org
Phone: 5421-846-7020
Website: https://josephinelibrary.org
The Family Connection
The Family Connection is a regional parenting hub of Jackson and Josephine counties. We provide parents with community resources and opportunities to learn and gain effective parenting skills while building peer support networks.
Location: Grants Pass and Medford
Cost: Free
Timing: Year round, new classes starting each quarter
Name: Bethanee Grace
Email: bgrace@socfc.org
Phone: 541-734-5150
Website: Thefamilyconnect.org
