High School with a Higher Purpose
Chesterton Academy of St. Andrew is an independent, classical high school in the Catholic tradition in Corvallis, Oregon. The Chesterton Academy seeks to raise a new generation of joyful leaders and saints, educated in the classical tradition and truths of the Catholic faith. By introducing them to great thinkers such as Socrates, Thomas Aquinas, and Dante, and by forming them in a distinctly Catholic culture, we lead students to choose for themselves the adventure of being a disciple of Christ.
While we are located on the grounds of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, we are an independent entity, receiving no funding from the St. Mary’s Church budget, the Archdiocese of Portland, or the Saint John Society. Our school is funded solely through generous donors, benefactors, and student tuition.
The true cost to educate a student is much higher than what families pay, resulting in a deficit that is heavily subsidized by our donors. This model is designed to discount the cost of education to nearly half the typical regional cost for private education and keep classical, faith-based education affordable for middle-class families. We are dedicated to making this high school accessible to all who desire it, regardless of a family’s financial situation, and ensuring that cost is not a barrier to attendance.
Part of the Chesterton Schools Network
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An Incarnational Environment
From history and theology to math and science, the Incarnation is the central mystery we explore across the entire curriculum. It is our desire that each student would personally experience the Incarnation.
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A Focus on Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Our classical curriculum combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty.
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A Joyful Learning Environment
We create environments where students experience the joy of community and the discovery process, providing them with an opportunity to live out their spiritual life in an atmosphere of joy and fun.
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Rediscovering the Lost Tools of Learning
Our curriculum is centered on skills seemingly forgotten in our modern society: reading, writing, oral presentations, and the development of critical reasoning skills through logic and philosophy.
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The Socratic Seminar
The Socratic seminar is perhaps the oldest educational tool. Through this method, a teacher imparts knowledge through directed questions and guided dialogue, bringing ideas and knowledge to life.
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The Wit and Wisdom of G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton exemplified the Catholic faith through his wit, his clarity, his kindness, and his ability to love people with whom he disagreed, while sharing the faith in Christian charity.