Heritage Christian School (Oregon)
Encyclopedia
Heritage Christian School was a non-denominational, private Christian school
in Hillsboro
, Oregon
, United States. Opened in 1997, the school offered classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade before closing in 2009. The school was part of the Classical Christian education
movement and had 222 students in its final year.
at Shute Park
on September 18, with hopes of classes beginning on September 22. However, classes did not begin until September 7, 1998, when 40 students started at the new school.
Classes the first year were held in local churches as four former office buildings were converted to classrooms. These buildings were located at an office complex near Tualatin Valley Highway
and River Road in southeast Hillsboro. Heritage expanded by adding a new grade to the school each year. Academics included regular classes, plus courses in Latin, rhetoric, and logic. Enrollment stood at 98 in 1999, and by 2003 the school grew to 140 students. In 1999, the high school was added and the first class graduated in 2002. Republican politician Eileen Qutub, a former Oregon State Senator and member of the Oregon House of Representatives
, worked for the school until February 2004 as their director of advancement. Heritage grew to include the sixth grade, and had 141 students in all grades in 2004.
In October 2004, the school received a $3.6 million gift that allowed the school to purchase the buildings on their campus. This allowed the school to save about $16,000 per month in rent with an annual budget at that time of $1.25 million. Tuition varied from $4,000 to $7,000 per year that year. Heritage began the process to become accredited that year by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
. The later accredited the middle school in 2006. That spring kindergarten through fifth grade was added. Also in 2006, the middle school also became accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.
By 2005, the school’s enrollment had grown to 149 students. Heritage had three students listed as Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program in 2008. In February 2008, the elementary school portion of the school moved to a permanent home in northeast Hillsboro. Enrollment in 2008 totaled 222 students, with 10 staff members.
The school’s Digital Storm team placed second in January 2009 at the Intel Oregon FIRST Lego
League championship tournament. In June 2009, the school closed after graduation on June 5 with a final class of 10 students graduating. Enrollment ended with 170 students in its eleventh year of operation and Todd Pfaff as the last headmaster.
Heritage was a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, a national organization for Classical Christian schools. It was accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
, and was a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. For 2007 to 2008, the co-educational school had 204 students and 16.8 full-time equivalent teachers. This included 17 seniors, and 194 of the 204 students were White. Approximately 75% of graduates at the school went on to college.
, togas, and a Latin themed quiz. Heritage also held an annual Renaissance week that included era costumes and stocks
. The school operated a low-power radio station, KQRZ-LP
(96.3 FM).
In athletics, Heritage was known as the Knights with school colors of green, navy blue, and burgundy. Teams competed in the Oregon School Activities Association
at the 1A level in The Valley 10 League. Heritage fielded teams in boys and girls cross country, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and boys and girls track and field.
Christian school
A Christian school is a school run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization.The nature of Christian schools varies enormously from country to country, according to the religious, educational, and political cultures...
in Hillsboro
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States. Opened in 1997, the school offered classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade before closing in 2009. The school was part of the Classical Christian education
Classical Christian education
Classical Christian education is an approach to learning which emphasizes biblical teachings and incorporates a teaching model known as the Trivium, consisting of three parts: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. According to Douglas Wilson, this method of instruction was developed by early Christians as...
movement and had 222 students in its final year.
History
Heritage Christian School was started as a school for seventh, eighth, and ninth grades by the Valley Evangelical Christian School Commission in 1997. Plans called for the school to emphasis biblical principles and ethics, and to become a full high school. A kick off for the school was held at the Hillsboro Public LibraryHillsboro Public Library
The Hillsboro Public Library is a two-location public library system in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. First opened in 1914 in a Carnegie library building, the system provides services to a population area of 157,000 people. As of 2004, the system had a usage of 674,000 visits per year...
at Shute Park
Shute Park (Oregon)
Shute Park is a municipal park in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Acquired in 1906, the park is the oldest park in the city. Located at southeast Tenth and Maple streets along Tualatin Valley Highway, Shute Park includes an aquatic center, a branch of the Hillsboro Public Library,...
on September 18, with hopes of classes beginning on September 22. However, classes did not begin until September 7, 1998, when 40 students started at the new school.
Classes the first year were held in local churches as four former office buildings were converted to classrooms. These buildings were located at an office complex near Tualatin Valley Highway
Tualatin Valley Highway
The Tualatin Valley Highway No. 29 is an Oregon highway which passes through the Tualatin Valley, between the cities of McMinnville and Beaverton...
and River Road in southeast Hillsboro. Heritage expanded by adding a new grade to the school each year. Academics included regular classes, plus courses in Latin, rhetoric, and logic. Enrollment stood at 98 in 1999, and by 2003 the school grew to 140 students. In 1999, the high school was added and the first class graduated in 2002. Republican politician Eileen Qutub, a former Oregon State Senator and member of the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
, worked for the school until February 2004 as their director of advancement. Heritage grew to include the sixth grade, and had 141 students in all grades in 2004.
In October 2004, the school received a $3.6 million gift that allowed the school to purchase the buildings on their campus. This allowed the school to save about $16,000 per month in rent with an annual budget at that time of $1.25 million. Tuition varied from $4,000 to $7,000 per year that year. Heritage began the process to become accredited that year by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
The Northwest Accreditation Commission , formerly named the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, is an organization based in Boise, Idaho which accredits a variety of schools, including K-12, elementary, middle, and high schools; schools offering distance education; non-degree-granting...
. The later accredited the middle school in 2006. That spring kindergarten through fifth grade was added. Also in 2006, the middle school also became accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.
By 2005, the school’s enrollment had grown to 149 students. Heritage had three students listed as Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program in 2008. In February 2008, the elementary school portion of the school moved to a permanent home in northeast Hillsboro. Enrollment in 2008 totaled 222 students, with 10 staff members.
The school’s Digital Storm team placed second in January 2009 at the Intel Oregon FIRST Lego
Lego
Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
League championship tournament. In June 2009, the school closed after graduation on June 5 with a final class of 10 students graduating. Enrollment ended with 170 students in its eleventh year of operation and Todd Pfaff as the last headmaster.
Academics
Academics at the non-denominational school focused on the Trivium. Part of the Classical Christian movement, the Trivium has three components, rhetoric, logic, and grammar, with Latin a major part of the grammar component. Students also studied the Bible, Greek, and Hebrew. The school year lasted 165 days. The four building campus included a gymnasium, computer lab, science laboratory, library, and lunchroom in addition to classrooms. Students at Heritage wore dress shirts or polo shirts along with khakis as part of the school’s dress code.Heritage was a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, a national organization for Classical Christian schools. It was accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
The Northwest Accreditation Commission , formerly named the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, is an organization based in Boise, Idaho which accredits a variety of schools, including K-12, elementary, middle, and high schools; schools offering distance education; non-degree-granting...
, and was a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. For 2007 to 2008, the co-educational school had 204 students and 16.8 full-time equivalent teachers. This included 17 seniors, and 194 of the 204 students were White. Approximately 75% of graduates at the school went on to college.
Activities
The school sponsored and held a Latin Olympika where the school faced three other schools with Latin programs in athletic and academic challenges. Events included a chariot raceChariot racing
Chariot racing was one of the most popular ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine sports. Chariot racing was often dangerous to both driver and horse as they frequently suffered serious injury and even death, but generated strong spectator enthusiasm...
, togas, and a Latin themed quiz. Heritage also held an annual Renaissance week that included era costumes and stocks
Stocks
Stocks are devices used in the medieval and colonial American times as a form of physical punishment involving public humiliation. The stocks partially immobilized its victims and they were often exposed in a public place such as the site of a market to the scorn of those who passed by...
. The school operated a low-power radio station, KQRZ-LP
KQRZ-LP
KQRZ-LP is a low-power radio station licensed to Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. The station is currently owned by the Washington County Radio Foundation, Inc....
(96.3 FM).
In athletics, Heritage was known as the Knights with school colors of green, navy blue, and burgundy. Teams competed in the Oregon School Activities Association
Oregon School Activities Association
The Oregon School Activities Association is a non-profit, board-governed organization that regulates high school athletics and competitive activities via athletic conferences in the U.S. state of Oregon, providing equitable competition among its members, both public and private...
at the 1A level in The Valley 10 League. Heritage fielded teams in boys and girls cross country, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and boys and girls track and field.