Our Mission: Education as Orientation
Education is more than instruction—it's orientation. This foundational belief captures Meridian Charter School's mission: we help students develop the clarity and confidence to navigate an increasingly complex world. Our mission isn't about filling students with facts but about equipping them with the intellectual tools, ethical grounding, and sense of purpose they need to chart their own courses and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Core Mission Statement
"Meridian Charter School cultivates intellectual independence, clarity of purpose, and civic engagement in students grades 6-12 through rigorous academics, experiential learning, and strong community partnerships. We prepare young people not just for college and careers, but for lives of meaning, contribution, and continued growth."
This mission emerged from the vision of our founding educators and community leaders in 1995 and has guided every major decision since. It shapes our curriculum choices, our hiring practices, our facility design, our budget priorities, and our daily interactions with students. It's not just words on a wall—it's the living DNA of our school.
Our Core Values
Our approach combines intellectual rigor with context and reflection. Students don't just absorb information—they learn to question it, connect it, and apply it to the challenges that matter to them and their communities. This approach rests on four core values that define who we are:
| Core Value | What It Means | How We Practice It |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity Over Noise | Distinguishing signal from noise, essential from trivial | Depth over breadth, focused inquiry, critical analysis |
| Purposeful Learning | Education connected to meaning, not just credentials | Project-based work, real-world application, student choice |
| Community Connection | Learning in relationship, contributing to something larger | Service learning, partnerships, collaborative work |
| Intellectual Independence | Developing agency, voice, and capacity for self-direction | Student-driven inquiry, Socratic discussion, authentic assessment |
Vision for Student Success
We envision Meridian graduates as young adults who possess not just academic knowledge but also deeper capacities: critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, ethical reasoning and social responsibility, effective communication and collaboration, creative problem-solving and adaptability, and a sense of purpose and direction for their lives.
Our vision extends beyond traditional measures of school success. While we're proud that our graduates attend excellent colleges and universities, we're equally proud of the many ways they contribute to their communities, pursue meaningful work, continue learning throughout life, and help build a more just and sustainable world.
"Meridian taught me not what to think, but how to think—how to ask good questions, evaluate evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and make reasoned judgments. Those skills matter more than any specific content I learned." — Alex Chen, Class of 2018, currently studying public policy
Equity and Inclusion
Central to our mission is the belief that excellent education should be accessible to all students regardless of family background, income, race, ethnicity, language, learning profile, or any other characteristic. Meridian serves 400 students in grades 6-12 at our Portland campus. We are a tuition-free public charter school open to all students through an equitable lottery system.
Our commitment to equity goes beyond admissions. We actively work to create an inclusive community where all students feel welcomed, valued, and supported. This includes culturally responsive teaching practices, comprehensive support services, financial assistance for enrichment opportunities, and ongoing attention to equity in policies, practices, and outcomes.
We recognize that true equity requires more than treating everyone the same—it means providing differentiated support so that all students can access excellent education and reach their potential. Our strategic plan makes equity a central priority, with concrete goals and accountability measures.
Community Partnership
We believe education is a shared responsibility that extends beyond school walls. Families, community organizations, local businesses, universities, and civic institutions all play important roles in young people's development. Meridian actively cultivates partnerships with Portland State University, local nonprofits, arts organizations, and environmental groups to provide authentic learning experiences and community connections.
These partnerships enable students to work alongside professionals on real projects, engage with diverse mentors, contribute to community needs, and see the relevance of their learning beyond school. Students might research local water quality with scientists, create public art installations, assist with literacy tutoring, or advocate for policy changes—all while developing academic skills and civic competencies.
Continuous Improvement
Living our mission requires ongoing reflection, learning, and adaptation. We regularly gather feedback from students, families, staff, and community partners. We analyze data on student outcomes, school culture, and operational effectiveness. We study research and best practices in education. And we use all this information to continuously improve our programs and practices.
Our Board of Trustees and leadership team ensure accountability for our mission through strategic planning, goal-setting, and regular progress monitoring. Every major decision is evaluated against the question: "Does this serve our mission and help students develop clarity, confidence, and purpose?"
Join Our Mission
If this mission and vision resonate with you, we invite you to explore joining our community. Learn about our academic programs, our tradition of excellence, and our admissions process. Discover our strengths in lower school, middle school, and upper school programs. Explore opportunities in music, visual arts, and athletics.
For more information about progressive education and charter schools, visit the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools or explore resources on project-based learning and student-centered education.
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