PORTLAND, Ore. - (March 12, 2019) - Today, De La Salle North Catholic High School (DLSNC) announced it has signed a historic agreement with St. Charles Parish to co-locate at the parish situated on the southeast corner of NE 42nd Avenue and Killingsworth Street. The two parties are currently negotiating the details of the lease and have signed a Letter of Intent to a 50-year lease with two 25-year extensions.
The church property includes a former parish grade school that was opened in 1950 and closed in 1986. The new campus will accommodate more than 350 students, ensuring the school’s strong and transformative education will continue to change a growing number of students’ lives long into the future.
Since it opened in 2001, De La Salle North Catholic has rented its two locations and is looking forward to having a permanent home. The lease on its current building, which formerly served as Kenton Elementary School and is owned by Portland Public Schools, expires in June 2021. The school will be the first new Catholic high school campus in Portland in more than 50 years.
“After exploring more than 40 sites over the past three years, we are thrilled to have found a new and permanent home for De La Salle North Catholic High School,” said Patti O’Mara, chair of the board of trustees of DLSNC. “The first time I visited St. Charles Parish, I could envision our students filling the classrooms of this building. We are very grateful to establish this long-term partnership with St. Charles and to become a vital member of the Cully neighborhood.”
Leif Kehrwald, the pastoral administrator of St. Charles Parish, said, “On behalf of the St. Charles Parish community, we extend a warm welcome to the students, staff and families of the incredible De La Salle North Catholic High School. We have a dedicated, passionate group of parishioners and the extra space to accommodate this transformative school. We look forward to merging our communities.” The church will maintain its operations, including parish offices for staff members and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.
"Joining with De La Salle will be a real benefit to both our institutions and our community. I'm looking forward to it," said Father Elwin Schwab, St. Charles Parish Priest.
President of DLSNC Oscar Leong said, “The new site ensures that we are well-equipped to meet the needs of DLSNC students and staff, now and into the future. It will serve as a hub of opportunity for the youth of Portland as well as a place of ministry for St. Charles parishioners. Together, we will build community and inspire past, current and future students of De La Salle North Catholic.”
A capital campaign will be forthcoming as the school works to raise funds for renovations and additions to the new campus.
Leong added, “We are celebrating this news along with the victory of our boys’ basketball team earlier this month when they became the 2019 OSAA 3A state champions. In many ways, all of our students step on to the court of a big game every day just when they come to school. The court is not a championship basketball game, but their very life. Every day, the community of De La Salle North Catholic is winning at changing people's lives.”
DLSNC is currently accepting applications for the class of 2023. For more information, visit https://www.delasallenorth.org/apps/pages/admissions/apply-now/