Oregon City High School JROTC Drill Team Heads To Nationals For Second Straight Year (Photo) -04/04/25

April 2025 — Oregon City, OR For the second year in a row, the Oregon City High School Army Junior ROTC Advanced Unarmed Drill Team—known as the “Regulators”—has earned a coveted spot at the Army JROTC National Drill Competition in Daytona Beach, Florida, this May. Selected by the Army’s 8th ROTC Brigade headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, the 21-cadet team continues to make history—and this year, their excellence has earned them an additional honor: an invitation to stay and compete in the Interservice Nationals the following day. Representing not only Oregon City but the broader Pacific Northwest, the OCHS cadets are one of only four Army JROTC programs across the entire western United States and Pacific Rim selected to attend the Army Nationals. They are also the only Army JROTC program chosen from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, or Alaska—making them the region’s sole representative at the national level. The Regulators, named after the pre-Revolutionary War “Regulators” of North Carolina’s Battle of Alamance, have been nothing short of dominant this season. They swept the entire Columbia River Division for the third consecutive year—outperforming seven other high school teams from Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. Most recently, they claimed 1st Place at the Pacific Northwest Regionals on March 15, besting 28 high school teams from across the region. This marks only the second time in the 26-year history of Oregon City’s JROTC program that the team has been selected to march at the Army Nationals, and their invitation to the Interservice Nationals places them among an elite few nationwide. To put their accomplishment in perspective: Of the over 3,200 JROTC programs across the country—including about 1,700 Army-affiliated units—only around 40 to 50 earn the right to compete at Nationals each year. That’s roughly 2.5% of programs nationwide. While travel to the Army Nationals is largely funded by the Army, the team is currently raising funds to support other aspects of the trip. Community members who wish to support these exceptional students can donate online via the Oregon City High School JROTC webpage: www.ochspioneers.org/jrotc. Scroll down to the “Online Donations” section and be sure to note “for the Army Drill Nationals trip.” Donations can also be made by check, payable to “Oregon City JROTC” and designated for the “Army Nationals Competition.”

Oregon City School District Seeks Full Accreditation To Elevate Student Success (Photo) -03/31/25

Oregon City, OR – The Oregon City School District has embarked on a significant initiative, pursuing district-wide accreditation through Cognia, a leading global education evaluation organization. This move signifies the district's strong commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring high-quality education for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
 

Unlike many districts that limit accreditation to their high schools, Oregon City has opted for a comprehensive K-12 evaluation. Superintendent Dr. Dayle Spitzer emphasized that this process goes beyond simply meeting standards. "This is an opportunity to take a close look at everything we do and ensure we are delivering the absolute best education possible," she stated. The district aims to use the evaluation to identify strengths and areas for growth, refining its services to better serve students and families.

The district is currently engaged in a thorough self-assessment, analyzing data on key indicators such as graduation rates, attendance, student learning opportunities, and professional development. This internal review, combined with insights from a previous Cognia visit, will form the basis for an upcoming external evaluation by Cognia staff.

A vital aspect of the accreditation process is community involvement. The district has actively sought input from students, parents, teachers, and community members, recognizing the importance of strong community partnerships in building successful schools. This feedback will ensure that the accreditation process translates into meaningful improvements.

The findings from Cognia's evaluation will directly influence the district's strategic planning, grant applications, and resource allocation, reinforcing its commitment to providing a challenging and supportive learning environment.

Upon successful completion, Oregon City will be one of only a select number of fully accredited school districts in Oregon. Dr. Spitzer expressed optimism about the district's future, viewing the accreditation process as a "key piece in our roadmap for continued growth."

The Oregon City School District is committed to keeping the community informed throughout the accreditation process. For updates and further information, residents are encouraged to visit www.ocsd62.org.