Catholic schools in Portland? (Hillsboro, Clackamas: neighborhood, school districts, income)

[elle2124]

Hello, we are relocating to Portland and I have been researching Catholic schools. Our son will be starting first grade in the fall and I just need any personal testimonies about schools. This is what we are looking for in a school..

-Small class sizes
-Preferably one class per grade
-A welcoming and community like environment
-Ethnically diverse, this has been interesting in researching since we are from southern California, demographics are simply different
-A strong academic curriculum but also focused on the emotional, spiritual and mental development of a child as a whole.

This is still pretty vague but any feedback will be greatly appreciated. This will be our first relocation outside of California so I'll take all the feedback I can get.

Thank you!!

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by elle2124

Hello, we are relocating to Portland and I have been researching Catholic schools. Our son will be starting first grade in the fall and I just need any personal testimonies about schools. This is what we are looking for in a school..

-Small class sizes
-Preferably one class per grade
-A welcoming and community like environment
-Ethnically diverse, this has been interesting in researching since we are from southern California, demographics are simply different
-A strong academic curriculum but also focused on the emotional, spiritual and mental development of a child as a whole.

This is still pretty vague but any feedback will be greatly appreciated. This will be our first relocation outside of California so I'll take all the feedback I can get.

Thank you!!

The Catholic Schools that are in great demand have waitlists usually by families in the parish or already live in Portland. Most private schools have already accepted new students for Fall. What year are you moving here?

[elle2124]

We're moving early summer. The ones we focused on online are St. John Fisher and Cathedral School. I guess my main objective was to hopefully hear from people that have sent their kids to a catholic school in the area and get some sort of insight or pointed in the right direction. Anything will be appreciated.....thank you.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by elle2124

We're moving early summer. The ones we focused on online are St. John Fisher and Cathedral School. I guess my main objective was to hopefully hear from people that have sent their kids to a catholic school in the area and get some sort of insight or pointed in the right direction. Anything will be appreciated.....thank you.

I am trying to help you out. Applications to most Catholic or private schools are not being accepted anymore for the upcoming year in Fall. Most of the regulars on Portland CD are pretty familiar with the school districts in Portland and Washington County, maybe Clackamas County and transplanting into the Sumner usually leaves you public school options. I obviously made the assumption that you would want to know what school your kids are going to attend based on the neighborhood you will be living in. Most Catholic schools will not be an option for your family. Good luck to you. You could research past issues of Portland Monthly which features a schools issue every year.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by elle2124

Hello, we are relocating to Portland and I have been researching Catholic schools. Our son will be starting first grade in the fall and I just need any personal testimonies about schools. This is what we are looking for in a school..

-Small class sizes
-Preferably one class per grade
-A welcoming and community like environment
-Ethnically diverse, this has been interesting in researching since we are from southern California, demographics are simply different
-A strong academic curriculum but also focused on the emotional, spiritual and mental development of a child as a whole.

This is still pretty vague but any feedback will be greatly appreciated. This will be our first relocation outside of California so I'll take all the feedback I can get.

Thank you!!

All archdiocesan grade schools are essentially the same. I know that sounds like an oversimplification, but really, every Catholic school is going to meet all of your goals, except for ethnic diversity. First, you'll find Catholics in this city will be overwhelmingly white. Second, what does ethnic diversity and skin color have to do with your child's academic and spiritual development? Will exposing them to humans with different skin pigmentation somehow enhance their math, reading and praying abilities?

[jjpop]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

Will exposing them to humans with different skin pigmentation somehow enhance their math, reading and praying abilities?

School is more than academics, it also teaches how to get along and understand people who are different from you. Most parents want their children to be exposed to different types of people to understand that we are more alike than different. Childhood is the best time to accomplish this.

But this is a digression. The OP should take Yankeemama's words to heart and start working to get on waiting lists if that's even possible.

[CanuckInPortland]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

All archdiocesan grade schools are essentially the same. I know that sounds like an oversimplification, but really, every Catholic school is going to meet all of your goals, except for ethnic diversity. First, you'll find Catholics in this city will be overwhelmingly white. Second, what does ethnic diversity and skin color have to do with your child's academic and spiritual development? Will exposing them to humans with different skin pigmentation somehow enhance their math, reading and praying abilities?

Some of the Catholic schools in North Portland are more diverse in terms of having a black and Hispanic student body, most of the ones further out will be mostly white though.

Though a lot of the observant Catholics in Portland are Hispanics who just send their kids to public schools, while a lot of the students at Catholic schools in Portland are just middle class kids who aren't necessarily Catholic whose parents want to send them to private school but can't afford the more expensive options.

[Nell Plotts]

Odds are the more diverse Catholic schools can be found around Hillsboro.

If you want diversity in a primary school where children blossom both in terms of character and academics look at Class Academy. CLASS Academy Private, non-secterian with children whose families represent almost all the world's religions. My grandchildren attended this school, I volunteer with the little one's lunch time once a week. There isn't a nicer bunch of teachers, kids and families.

[oldtintype]

I know several people very happy with St. Agatha's in Sellwood.

[elle2124]

Thank you for all of your responses. I really appreciate your understanding. In regards to our preference with a diverse school, we have always lived in Southern California born and raised, our schools are extremely diverse, obviously due to our demographics here. It's not that going to a predominantly white school is a problem, but we would like to expose him to different ethnicities if we have that option. I also believe that it does have a big impact on their general growth and development and to be honest I don't want him to feel like he's singled out. If this has not been your personal experience then it's not easy to understand and is easily minimized.

We currently live in an area that is mostly white, where we chose do drive a little more out of our way to have him attend a Catholic school with families from all different walks of life. There are all income levels, from one end of the spectrum to the other, there are black, white, asian and hispanic families. That is something we value.

I will begin my more in depth research. This move has come as an unexpected job relocation so as of now I just feel like we're scrambling.
Thank you again!