Eugene: Education and Research

Eugene: Education and Research

Elementary and Secondary Schools

Oregon Schools were rated fifth best in the nation by the Midwestern Research Institute. Eugene is home to three school districts, with the largest being Eugene School District 4J, which is the fourth largest in Oregon. A seven-member board, elected at large, governs the district. The board employs the superintendent.

Alternative public schools include International High School, three foreign language immersion schools (French, Spanish and Japanese), and an arts magnet school. Eugene's public school students consistently score higher on standardized tests than the state and national averages.

The following is a summary of data regarding Eugene public schools.

Total enrollment: 18,735

Number of facilities

elementary schools: 26

middle schools: 8

senior high schools: 4

other: 18 alternative schools

Student/teacher ratio: 22.7:1

Teacher salaries (2004–2005)

minimum: $37,097

maximum: $86,075

Funding per pupil: $7,100 (2002–2003)

Eugene is also served by three private high schools and 15 other private schools from Pre-K to grade 8, including religious and special education centers for all students, the gifted, and the physically and mentally challenged.

Public Schools Information: School District 4J, Eugene Public Schools, 200 North Monroe, Eugene, OR 97402-4295; telephone (541)687-3321

Colleges and Universities

The University of Oregon, a major research and educational institution with an enrollment of about 20,000 students, is located in Eugene. The university has schools in the arts and sciences, architecture, business, music, education, journalism and law. Lane Community College offers two-year associate and vocational degrees, serving almost 35,000 students in both credit and non-credit course study. Gutenberg College offers liberal arts education from a Protestant Christian base. Other educational institutions in Eugene are Northwest Christian College, Eugene Bible College, Oregon Business College, and the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics.

Libraries and Research Centers

The Eugene Public Library consists of three locations: the Downtown Library, the Bethel Branch, and the Sheldon Branch. The system contains more than 360,000 items including books, periodical subscriptions, CDs, DVDs, audio and video tapes, and art reproductions. The library's special collections include fine children's literature and a state documents department. The University of Oregon's Knight Library holds 2.1 million volumes, more than 21,000 periodical subscriptions, and special collections on the American West, American missions and missionaries, Esperanto, Oriental literature and art, politics, and zeppelins. Other libraries at the university specialize in law, architecture, science, and mathematics. Northwest Christian College's library holds 65,000 volumes and Lane Community College holds 60,000 volumes.

Research activities in such fields as the environment, botany of the Pacific Northwest, molecular biology, marine biology, cellular biology, neuroscience, materials science, solar energy, chemical physics, applied materials, forest industries, labor, industrial relations, work organizations, ocean and coastal law, women and gender roles, human development, communication, recreation, mental retardation, and mass communications are conducted at centers in the Eugene area primarily through the University of Oregon. Technicians at Eugene's Riverfront Research Park engage in industrial research and development, data processing, and computer software development. The Southern Willamette Research Corridor, also in Eugene, is a 40-mile research, development, and specialized manufacturing site that facilitates cooperative ventures between area colleges and universities, industry, and local government.

Public Library Information: Eugene Public Library, 100 West 10th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401; telephone (541)682-5450