Our School

Meet the new principals!

Fir Ridge Campus welcomes two new educational leaders to the 2017-18 school year. Joining the team are Interim Principal Amy Straw and Asst. Principal Les Womack, both career David Douglas educators.

Amy Straw began in the David Douglas School District in 2006 as a special education teacher at David Douglas High School. She was named Department Chair in 2010, beginning a string of educational leadership positions in the District. Amy moved to District Office in 2013 to become a mentor for first- and second-year teachers. Two years later, she was named coordinator for Student Services, and the following year became the District’s Secondary Administrator for Special Education. In addition, Amy has served as a Summer Academy teacher at David Douglas High School since 2011.

She graduated from Western Oregon University in 2003 and received her teaching license and master’s degree from Portland State in 2006. She received her initial administration license in 2016 from Lewis and Clark.

Les Womack began his teaching career in 2007 at Earl Boyles Elementary School, teaching third grade. He moved to Mill Park Elementary in 2011, teaching 3rd and 5th grades. Les became a teacher leader in 2014, when he was hired at Lincoln Park Elementary as Language Development Specialist and Instructional Coach. The following year, he was tabbed to become Lincoln Park’s Student Behavior Specialist.

He attended Mt. Hood Community College before receiving his degree from Eastern Oregon University in 2007. Les holds a master’s degree in education administration from Concordia University.

Who We Are 

Fir Ridge Campus is an alternative school. Alternative doesn’t mean less or easier –it means smaller and more supportive.

Fir Ridge isn’t a place where “bad” kids go. Our students are bright, capable leaders-in-training; they just happen to thrive in a smaller setting, or may need extra support to make up credits for various reasons.

Fir Ridge is a campus of David Douglas High School. When Fir Ridge students graduate, their level of learning and skill should be as high as that of all DDHS students, and they should be fully prepared for success in college and career.

What We Believe About Our Students:

• You can be a highly successful person: in your academics, career, and relationships
•  Grit (hard work and sustained effort despite challenges) is more important than “talent” or “intelligence” in meeting your goals
• You are what you do today and tomorrow, not what you did yesterday

What We Expect of Our Students:

• High quality academic work
• 90% attendance or higher
• Professional behaviors
• Growth mindset: your current skills and abilities are a starting point, not an end point. We value progress and perseverance over perfection.

Academic Supports We Offer:

• Small classes! (Our classes cap at 20 students.)
• After-school tutoring, Monday-Thursday
• Opportunities for additional credit (SUN School, sports, credit recovery, volunteering, work experience)
• College & career guidance

Personal Supports We Offer:

• Individual counseling
• Career and personal goal-setting
• Boys’ group
• Girls’ group
• Grief & loss support
• Anger management skills
• Drug & alcohol counseling
• Thrive leadership
• Teen parenting support