Magical Backyard School

Arts and Communication Magnet Academy was founded in 1992 as a Beaverton School District option school, and it now serves 725 students in grades 6 to 12. Students come from every part of Beaverton through an application lottery, drawn by strength or strong interest in an art form. We pair a college-prep academic program with pre-professional training in three pathways: performing arts (dance, vocal and instrumental music, theatre), visual arts (ceramics and sculpture, drawing and painting, photography) and communication arts (film, creative writing, animation and graphic design). Students take eight classes on an A/B schedule, with extended days for advanced performance groups, and can earn an ACMA endorsement in an arts career pathway alongside their district diploma. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are open to every student, including AP Studio Art and AP Music Theory. We also offer AVID, a college and career center and an ACMA Honors Scholar award for seniors.

We want every child to feel known and ready to learn. Bethany offers school-based special education support, including access to a special education teacher, speech-language pathologist and school psychologist for students who qualify; families can also ask about district programs such as dual-language learning and TAG.

Happy Hollow Children's Center is an inclusive education program dedicated to nurturing young learners aged 30 months to 5 years, as well as providing after-school care for children in kindergarten through third grade. The school's core mission revolves around fostering each child's unique strengths and needs within a safe, engaging, and supportive environment. This commitment is reflected in their hands-on learning approach, which emphasizes child-led exploration, social and emotional support, mindfulness practices, and self-regulation skills. The dedicated educators utilize evidence-based practices to empower students and prepare them for successful transitions to their next educational stages. A distinguishing feature of Happy Hollow is its low student-teacher ratio, which enhances individualized attention and strengthens family partnerships. By offering a year-round program with thoughtfully planned activities and community events, Happy Hollow Children's Center stands out as a nurturing space where children can construct their own knowledge while being embraced for who they are.