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Imagine a school where family bonds are strengthened, where love and stability flourish, and where faith is not just taught but lived every day. We are building that place here in Central Oregon with the establishment of Chesterton Academy of Mater Dei, a joyfully Catholic, classical high school, opening in fall 2025. This school will echo the timeless truths and the vibrant tapestry of Catholic tradition, and students will discover a haven where their intellect is sharpened, their faith is deepened, and their dreams are ignited with purpose and passion. High school can be a time in life that feels particularly chaotic and disconnected for young people, but this space will offer sanctuary— a refuge where students can find solace in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness. In a world where distractions abound and values are often compromised, Mater Dei will be a beacon of hope— a place where students grow in their relationship with God, finding strength and purpose in their faith.

The simple mission of the Chesterton Academy of Mater Dei is to raise up a generation of joyful leaders and saints, educated in the classical tradition and the truths of the Catholic faith. Our focus will remain steadfastly on the development of strong intellectual habits of the mind, character growth and leadership, and spiritual formation and the opportunity to grow in faith, hope, and charity.

Contrasted with this hopeful and focused mission, it is no secret that the state of Oregon public schools is distressing. Overcrowding, chronic absenteeism and a disturbingly politicized agenda are just a few of the widely known problems plaguing the school system. US News and World Report ranks Oregon 39th out of 50 U.S. states for its educational performance. The National Assessment of Educational Progress, which the U.S. Department of Education bills as The Nation's Report Card, ranks Oregon 36th in the country for reading and math scores and 38th in high school graduation rate.

The landscape, especially for high school education here in Central Oregon, leaves concerned parents with few options. There has been a population boom in the area over the last 20 years and the educational options have not increased commensurately. In Deschutes County there are now over 200,000 people served by only two Catholic grade schools, and parents in the area have limited options after their children finish middle school. With only five private or alternative school options and with tuition for some being prohibitively expensive, the need has become critical. Additionally, at a macro level, according to the Catholic Philanthropy Network, Catholic school enrollment has dropped 14% in the last 10 years in the United States, and hundreds of Catholic schools have closed across the country. And yet, in this challenging environment, there are reasons for great hope and optimism. Since the Chesterton Network formally founded in 2013 they have started over 50 Catholic high schools in the United States with 10 more opening in fall of 2024 and 15 more slated to open in fall of 2025. In that same time span when Catholic school enrollment has decreased across the U.S. Oregon is actually an outlier in that enrollment has increased 2% overall and continues to grow. Five of those Chesterton Catholic high schools are located in Oregon - tied for the highest number of any state, and further illustrating the need for options in the area.

All of these factors laid the groundwork for the seeds of a decision to grow Catholic education in Central Oregon. After months of thoughtful and prayerful searching by a few dedicated families, it became clear that partnering with the Chesterton Academy Network would be both the most desirable and logical option. We have been blessed to have the support of not only the Bishop of Baker, but also the parish pastors and Catholic school administrators in the area.

These champions recognize the need for a local Catholic high school and see that the Chesterton model is unique and exciting for many reasons, not least of which being the core curriculum. Students are required to take four years of math and science in addition to fine arts. Each year builds on the material from the previous, so by the end of senior year graduates are well-rounded, articulate and clear thinking. The humanities curriculum is based upon reading primary sources and discussing them in a Socratic environment. Required reading includes the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Divine Comedy, and Shakespeare in addition to the philosophy of Plato, Aristotle and Aquinas. Three different math tracks are available for students. All tracks begin with Euclidean/Analytical Geometry freshman year and progress on with a variety of challenging options up to AP Calculus. The science curriculum covers Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This return to classical, foundational education is what we need to focus and revitalize our next generation.

Mater Dei will pride itself on educating and nurturing the whole student - mind, body, and spirit. Beyond a rigorous curriculum, we will develop athletic teams for both boys and girls. Other Chesterton Network schools around the country already offer basketball, baseball, cross country, soccer, and volleyball - to name a few. The focus on hard work, dedicated practice, and cooperation helps build character and strong bonds among students. Extracurricular clubs are another valuable tenant of the model with existing clubs at other schools including: Mock Trial, Chamber Singers, Robotics Club, and a Pro-Life Club.

The scholars and graduates of Mater Dei will be great contributors to our local community and beyond - well-rounded, conscientious young people with passion and purpose. Affordable tuition is a key aspect of Chesterton Academy schools. The goal is to make this experience accessible to as many families in our community as possible with financial means not acting as a barrier for anyone. This dream cannot be realized without your support. We currently estimate that the first year operating costs will be around $560,000. These funds will cover the rented space needed for our scholars to gather, faculty salaries, and school supplies. Our upcoming fundraising efforts will include events and promotions to allow for donors and community members to learn more about the school’s plans, mission, and model.

Financial contributions will, of course, always be welcome and very appreciated. As Mater Dei finds its roots, there are opportunities to leave a lasting legacy with different tiers of gifts. House donors, who are able to contribute over $100,000 will have their donation commemorated with a plaque affixed to one of the four Chesterton House Crests. These crests will be beautifully hand carved wooden works of art that will be prominently displayed in the school and admired daily by students, staff and visitors daily. Donors who are able to give $25,000 will be associated with a Department Chair and recognized with a beautiful wooden chair. The chairs will be utilized by the heads of each academic department, and the donors will be celebrated and recognized each time the chairs are utilized. Fine Arts donors who are able to give $10,000 will be recognized with a plaque that pairs with a beautiful reproduction of a notable painting that exemplifies each of the styles that students are required to study at Mater Dei - art history is required for all four years at all Chesterton Academies. Finally, Icon Donors, who gift $2,000, will be remembered with a beautiful painted icon of a saint or holy person of their choosing. These works of art will be prominently displayed and admired by anyone who walks the halls of Mater Dei for years to come.

With our first class anticipated for fall 2025, we are actively seeking freshmen and sophomores to be pioneers in our initial classes and help to lay the foundation for our school. If you have children or grandchildren, or know of students in the area who would benefit from a classical, Catholic education, please consider a conversation or application. And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, our community cannot thrive without prayerful support. Please keep our mission and future scholars in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this ambitious, challenging, and critical mission for our children and generations of Central Oregonians to come.