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SCHOOL PROFILE

LOCATION
For over 75 years, Columbia Christian School has provided an excellent Christian education in the Pacific Northwest. Situated on a 13-acre campus in the heart of Portland, Oregon, the school is conveniently located between Glisan and Burnside Street -- just seconds from the major thoroughfares I-205 and I-85.

Portland, Oregon is a diverse city with several large immigrant populations including Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Ethiopian, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian. Columbia Christian School reflects this diversity in its student population with a broad representation of families from these and other backgrounds.

Portland also has all the amenities of a major city: it is home to the Oregon Zoo, the Oregon Symphony, a major historical society, The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and one of the largest bookstores in the world: Powell’s Books. It has many nicknames: City of Roses -- it is known for its annual Rose Festival, Bridgetown for its twelve bridges within its city limits, and Stumptown for its forested terrain and history with the lumber industry. It’s also known for its vibrant microbrewery and coffee industries.

Despite the industry, commerce, and entertainment options, Portland is perhaps best known for its access to the wonders of nature. Columbia Christian is situated at the confluence of the mountains, the beautiful Columbia Gorge, and the Oregon coast. With all these natural wonders within an hour’s drive, it is no wonder that hiking, boating, snow sports, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, and many other outdoor activities are so common to the area. 

MISSION STATEMENT
Columbia Christian School seeks to provide a Christ-centered education focused on excellence in faith, character, and academics.

STATEMENT OF FAITH
Columbia Christian School is associated with the Churches of Christ and is guided by the Holy Bible, particularly Christ's teachings in the New Testament. Columbia Christian School accepts the following as the core of Christian faith.

  1. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: the Father, creator and sustainer of all that is; the Son, existing from eternity as the Word, who became a man being born of a virgin, lived a life of sinless perfection, confirmed his word by miracles, died for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven where he reigns as Lord and King, and will come again in judgment; the Holy Spirit, given to all believers as the indwelling, sanctifying presence of God.
  2. Men and women, through sin, are separated from God and are utterly unable to save themselves.
  3. Salvation is the unearned gift of God to all who place their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through repentance and baptism.
  4. The church, being composed of all baptized believers, is to be Christ's presence in the world, witnessing to his Lordship, teaching his word and serving in his name.
  5. The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the divinely inspired written record of God's work and word, and they are sufficient for faith and practice.

CORE VALUES
Columbia Christian School is dedicated to the following core values:

  • Fostering a Community of Relationship
  • Pursuing Truth
  • Devoted to Excellence
  • Preparing Students for an Abundant Life of Christian Leadership and Service

ACCREDITATION
Columbia Christian School has been dually-accredited since the spring of 2000 for Kindergarten through 12th grade by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (a division of AdvancED) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

ORGANIZATION

Columbia Christian School is a not-for-profit organization governed primarily by the Word of God, as understood and applied by the school's Board of Trustees and administration. The Board of Trustees operates under the school's adopted bylaws, mission statements, objectives, and faith statement, and it provides policies to the president and principal for implementation in the school. Columbia Christian is a registered non-profit organization under the IRS 501(c)3 requirement. The taxpayer ID # is 93-1094933.

ENROLLMENT
In 1947 the school opened with just 4 teachers and 36 students.
Today, Columbia Christian School enrolls around 300 students (2022-2023).

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Columbia Christian School believes education is an opportunity to demonstrate love for God. As Jesus instructs his disciples, humans are to love God with all of their minds, as well as their hearts, souls and strength (Mt. 22:37).
The education God desires, furthermore, is an education steeped in truth and the fear of the Lord. Scripture instructs humans the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7), and Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6).

Columbia Christian Schools centers its curriculum, therefore, around Bible classes at all levels and an integration of scriptural truth in all subjects.

Further, Columbia Christian School believes a complete education provides students not only knowledge but also the tools to acquire knowledge, the tools of learning. In this case, Columbia Christian instructs students in critical thinking through reading, writing, analytical assignments, and classroom discussions.

Finally, Columbia Christian School believes a complete education incorporates mental as well as physical, social, and spiritual instruction. The curriculum Columbia offers provides opportunities for exercise of the mind as well as the body, for individual as well as corporate study, for spiritual as well as social growth. 

GRADUATION RATE

Columbia has a graduation rate of 100%. Historically, 85% of Columbia graduates continue their education at colleges and universities.

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Columbia Christian graduates have been accepted to the following colleges, universities, and other programs:e

Abilene Christian University
Azusa Pacific University
Biola University
Cedarville University
Concordia University
Corban University
George Fox University
Grand Canyon University
Harding University
Idaho State University
Lipscomb University
Lubbock Christian University
Madonna University
Michigan State University
Multnomah University
New York University
 

Northwest University
Oklahoma Christian University
Oregon State University
OSU – Honors College
Pepperdine University
University of Oregon 
Portland State University
San Diego State University
Seattle Pacific University
University of Michigan
University of Portland
University of Washington
Vanderbilt University
Vanguard University
Washington State University
York College

STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK
Families can access the current Student & Parent Handbook through their Family Portal account. Once logged in, select the "School" menu on the left and choose the "Resource Documents" option.

IMMUNIZATION RATES
In accordance with Oregon law, all schools in the state are required to post the immunization and exemption rates for their facilities and for the local community:

Columbia Christian School
Columbia Christian School-Aged (Kindergarten-12th grade)

Local Community
Multnomah County School-Aged (Kindergarten-12th grade)

 
Learn more about Columbia Christian School and have all your questions answered!

Contact us today to schedule a visit and campus tour: 503-252-8577 or info@columbiachristian.com.

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