How We Began

Hood River New School was founded by three families whose children had thrived in a blended-age, interdisciplinary academic environment. Unable to find a middle school in the Gorge that met this model, they chose to found New School to provide the education they felt resonated with their children. 

Other local families who had also experienced the success of this educational model joined them in building the New School community, coming together with a unified vision and mission to create curious learners and engaged citizens.

The New School founding community was able to secure the academic leadership and proven teaching team of Victoria Hubler and Claire Gilchrist whose 30+ combined years teaching a blended, interdisciplinary curriculum at the middle school level made them uniquely qualified to lead the New School program.

Who We Are

The families who founded Hood River New School come from a wide variety of personal and professional backgrounds and different educational journeys. Where their paths converge is their desire to build a stronger community, create educational opportunities for future generations, and empower young people to be their best selves. 

With collective backgrounds in education, finance, technology, marketing, and entrepreneurship, the Hood River New School team has brought all of their expertise to bear in launching a school that brings project-based learning to the Gorge community. Their extensive board experience with both non-profit and educational institutions convinced them that the best model for Hood River New School would be a board led-501(c)(3) foundation.