Discover Chesterton.

Our Mission & Vision

At the Chesterton Academy of St. Andrew, our mission is to empower parents in fostering a vibrant and joyful future generation of leaders and saints who possess a deep understanding of the timeless classical tradition and authentic teachings of the Catholic faith. Through our rigorous and integrated curriculum, we unlock the full potential of each student, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in college, professional life, and to excel in serving their family, country, and most importantly, in service of Christ our Lord.

The Three Pillars

  • We teach the classics of Western thought from physics to philosophy, and the interrelationship of the great ideas; teaching students not merely what to think but how to think.

  • We help students grow in the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice, which we believe are the foundation of leadership.

  • Our students come to understand and embrace the truth of why they exist: to know God, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next.

 Our Patrons

G.K. Chesterton

The Chesterton Schools Network is named for the great English writer and Catholic convert, G.K. Chesterton (1874- 1936). Chesterton is our school’s patron because he exemplified the Catholic faith through a life filled with joy, wonder, and gratitude.

Chesterton was considered one of the world’s most outstanding men of letters in the early 20th century. An accomplished essayist, novelist, and poet, he wrote a hundred books on all different subjects. In 1922, he shocked the literary establishment by converting to Catholicism. He was later eulogized by Pope Pius XI as “a gifted defender of the faith,” and there is presently a popular movement to have him canonized. He not only represents the fullness of faith and reason, but also Catholic joy and common sense.

St. Andrew

St. Andrew is our guiding patron and inspiration in our work to inspire our students follow to Jesus Christ.  It was Andrew’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah that moved him to introduce Jesus to his brother, Peter. Thenceforth the two brothers were disciples of Christ. Our mission is to raise up a new generation of joyful leaders and saints, educated in the classical tradition and the truths of the Catholic faith as was St. Andrew.  Along with St. Andrew, we desire to answer the call and grow in a closer companionship with Jesus and root all things in Him.

The Chesterton Schools Network

We are part of the Chesterton Schools Network based in Minneapolis. An apostolate of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, the Chesterton Schools Network aims to inspire and encourage parent-led Catholic schools across the nation. The Network offers consulting services, templates for evaluating interest and operating a school, and the Chesterton Academy curriculum framework.

Board of Directors

  • Peter Gowing, President

    Peter has been married to his wife, Erin, for over 25 years and they are parents of two, ages 22 and 16. He grew up nearby in Salem and later spent time in the Midwest for medical training. He has been an emergency medicine doctor for nearly 20 years and living in Corvallis for last 15 years. He has been a St Mary’s parishioner since 2013.

    Peter is greatly concerned about direction of education in the West, especially here in Oregon. Determined to provide an alternative, he and Erin support the Chesterton initiative in Corvallis. He is certain that ideas change lives; therefore we should teach students both how to assess existing concepts, and generate new ones. Peter feels motivated by his knowledge that ideas change lives but, Jesus changes everything.

  • Nikolai Hall, VP

    Nikolai Hall lives in Corvallis, OR with his wife, Kim, and their two daughters. He is an active parishioner at St. Mary’s in Corvallis regularly participating as a catechist in Religious Education and Confirmation, and as a member in Alpha, prayer groups, and the Knights of Columbus. Nikolai is an avid reader who strives to study the richness of the Catholic faith and intellectual tradition . Professionally, he is a forester, which allows him to bring his love of God’s creation to his work in the management of forest lands throughout Oregon. Nikolai enjoys playing music with his daughters and others within the community of St. Mary’s and loves getting outside to enjoy the many recreational activities available around Corvallis.

  • Joseph Elwood, Secretary

    Joseph Elwood has lived in Corvallis since 2009. Joe is a criminal defense attorney and owns his own law firm based in Albany, Oregon. Prior to law school, Joe worked as an engineer in the semiconductor industry and served six years in the US Navy as a nuclear operator. In his free time, Joe enjoys umpiring baseball, playing guitar, and skateboarding.

    All three of his adult children attended public schools. Through this experience, Mr. Elwood was able to observe the pros and cons of the current education system in Oregon. Joe joined the Catholic Church in 2021 and he and his wife, Carly, have been drawn to the truth, goodness, and beauty of a classical education taught in the Catholic tradition.

  • Thinh Nguyen, Treasurer

    Thinh lives in Corvallis with his wife Sea and their three children. Sea is a preschool teacher, while Thinh is a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University. Thinh is an avid reader with a passion for classical music, physics, mathematics, and philosophy. He loves nothing more than discussing these topics with anyone who will listen. Meanwhile, Sea has a green thumb and a love for gardening. On weekends, the couple can be found tending to their garden, working on DIY projects, and playing music together in a family string quartet at local gigs. As Catholic parents, Sea and Thinh believe in instilling the values of hard work, courage, and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty in their children.

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