Mission
Ashbrook’s mission is to challenge and nurture academically capable students.
Vision
Ashbrook faculty provides a solid foundation of core subjects and critical thinking skills that is enhanced by a comprehensive arts, world languages, and physical education curriculum. Teachers provide individual attention, set high standards for achievement and behavior, and promote character traits such as courtesy, integrity, foresight, resourcefulness, and self-mastery. Partnership of students, faculty, and parents is crucial to the success of the school’s mission.
Philosophy
We at Ashbrook Independent School believe that educational excellence results when there exist in combination outstanding teachers, clearly defined expectations as reflected in a sequential arts-and-sciences curriculum, small class size, and a well-equipped learning environment.
A strong parent-school partnership is a crucial element in the success of an Ashbrook Independent School education. The relationship is fostered by extensive communications from the school, including frequent updates to parents on their children’s progress. Parent volunteers are needed and welcomed, especially in Lower School classes and in the sports, theater arts, and engineering projects programs.
Ashbrook Independent School acknowledges its responsibility to parents to provide their children with a first-rate education. It monitors the effectiveness of its programs with standardized testing and results are freely available.
History
In 1993, Dave and Cecilia Gore listed the educational criteria they were seeking for their two youngest children. The features they sought included: a rounded, full curriculum; flexible, advanced mathematics; history taught to show cause and effect; early introduction of foreign languages; small class sizes; and the challenging and nurturing of good students. They soon realized that such an educational facility was not available locally, so they decided to create their dream school in Corvallis. On the very last day of the year, the Gores incorporated The Independent School as a non-profit organization and began to search for a building site.
Finding an appropriate site was difficult. Finally the Gores discovered a beautiful 12.5 acre parcel adjoining Starker Arts Park. It was bordered by ash trees and along a brook, and seemed perfect for their school. In honor of the land, they named the school “Ashbrook.” They bought the land, renamed the non-profit organization Ashbrook Independent School to reflect the character of the land, and were on their way to realizing their dream.
Dave designed the building to support the educational program they imagined. Every teacher, regardless of subject, was to have a premier space for teaching. The building was to be bright and airy with an inviting center where students, staff, and families could all gather.
Ashbrook opened in September 1997. Most of the administrative staff were volunteers, and many teachers were part-time. Over the last two decades, AIS has grown in numbers and our current full-time staff have illuminated the dynamic evolution of our curriculum with the help of our students and stakeholders. The dream has been realized and is thriving as the roots of the Gore’s vision have become firmly planted in the community. This fall we celebrate 25 years of educational excellence, and we are humble and grateful for the vast contributions from the Ashbrook Community.