President's Message

St. Andrew Nativity School is the only tuition-free private middle school in the state of Oregon. There is a crisis in education in north/northeast Portland with more than half of the students in the city’s poorest schools not achieving the minimum standards for state benchmarks by the eighth grade. African American and Hispanic youth are among the hardest hit by this educational crisis, as these groups experience the largest high school drop-out rates in the state. St. Andrew Nativity School offers an opportunity for success and hope to these young people.

St. Andrew Nativity School opened its’ doors in 2001 and offers an academically rigorous, highly structured, values-based education exclusively for low-income students. 100% of students are on full scholarship and qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program. Following a model pioneered by the Jesuits in 1971 in Manhattan, St. Andrew Nativity School offers small single-sex classes, 10 hour school days, uniforms, and meals to prepare low-income students of all faiths for success in college preparatory high schools. Beyond the academic program, the school offers after school and weekend activities in order to foster the personal and intellectual development of all students. St. Andrew graduated their first class in 2002 and currently has 87 students as freshman, sophomores, and juniors in selective public and private high schools.

St. Andrew Nativity School is sponsored by the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order which has operated schools around the world for over 400 years. Jesuits have operated high schools and colleges in the Northwest since the 1880’s and in Portland since 1956. The school’s founding President/Principal, Fr. Kevin Connell, S.J., led the renovation of a school closed by the Archdiocese or Portland in 1987. St. Andrew Nativity School is now at full capacity with 58 students in grades six, seven, and eight.

By combining high expectations for students and support of committed adults, St. Andrew Nativity School will transform the lives of the students who embrace our mission. With a staff of lay and religious professional educators working alongside devoted volunteers, St. Andrew Nativity School will prepare students to succeed as they continue in their individual journey toward becoming "young men and women for others."

2008-2009 promises to be a wonderful year for the students, faculty and families of St. Andrew Nativity School. We have 58 students enrolled in our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes. The new 6th grade students were eager to start and are beginning to "learn the ropes" at St. Andrew. The returning 7th and 8th grade students have been good role models to the incoming students. We have field trips, sports programs, community outreach, and weekend activities planned.

We start school each day with an assembly and the students recite the Prayer for Generosity by St. Ignatius of Loyola:

Lord, Teach me to serve You as You deserve;
Teach me to give, and not to count the cost;
To fight, and not heed the wounds;
To toil, and not to seek for rest;
To labor, and not to ask for reward,
Except for the knowledge that I am doing Your will.
Amen.

Our 87 graduates are attending selective public high schools and 5 private high schools including: Jesuit High School, St. Mary’s Academy, La Salle High School, De La Salle North Catholic High School, and Central Catholic High School. They are on the road to achieving their goal of high school graduation and preparation for college. Our Graduate Support Director works with the students, their high school counselors and teachers, and the families to ensure their continued success.

We anticipate hard work, focused energy, prayerful reflection and some fun too! The school year is sure to be a great one!

Peace,

Loretta Wiltgen
President
St. Andrew Nativity School
(503) 335-9600
lwiltgen@nativityportland.com