Heritage Christian School was started as a school for seventh, eighth, and ninth grades by the Valley Evangelical Christian School Commission in 1997.[3] Plans called for the school to emphasis biblical principles and ethics, and to become a full high school.[3][4] A kick off for the school was held at the Hillsboro Public Library at Shute Park on September 18,[5] with hopes of classes beginning on September 22.[4] However, classes did not begin until September 7, 1998, when 40 students started at the new school.[6]
Classes the first year were held in local churches as four former office buildings were converted to classrooms.[7] These buildings were located at an office complex near Tualatin Valley Highway and River Road in southeast Hillsboro.[5][7] Heritage expanded by adding a new grade to the school each year.[6] Academics included regular classes, plus courses in Latin, rhetoric, and logic.[8] Enrollment stood at 98 in 1999,[6] and by 2003 the school grew to 140 students.[9] In 1999, the high school was added and the first class graduated in 2002.[6] Republican politician Eileen Qutub, a former Oregon State Senator and member of the Oregon House of Representatives, worked for the school until February 2004 as their director of advancement.[10][11] Heritage grew to include the sixth grade, and had 141 students in all grades in 2004.[7]
In October 2004, the school received a $3.6 million gift that allowed the school to purchase the buildings on their campus.[7] This allowed the school to save about $16,000 per month in rent with an annual budget at that time of $1.25 million.[12] Tuition varied from $4,000 to $7,000 per year that year.[12] Heritage began the process to become accredited that year by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.[12] The later accredited the middle school in 2006.[1] That spring kindergarten through fifth grade was added.[6] Also in 2006, the middle school also became accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.[6]
By 2005, the school’s enrollment had grown to 149 students.[13][14] Heritage had three students listed as Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program in 2008.[15] In February 2008, the elementary school portion of the school moved to a permanent home in northeast Hillsboro.[16] Enrollment in 2008 totaled 222 students, with 10 staff members.[1]
The school’s Digital Storm team placed second in January 2009 at the Intel Oregon FIRST Lego League championship tournament.[17] In June 2009, the school closed after graduation on June 5 with a final class of 10 students graduating.[18] Enrollment ended with 170 students in its eleventh year of operation and Todd Pfaff as the last headmaster.[18]
Building on campusEntrance to the campus
Academics
Academics at the non-denominational school focused on the Trivium.[7] Part of the Classical Christian movement, the Trivium has three components, rhetoric, logic, and grammar, with Latin a major part of the grammar component.[7][9] Students also studied the Bible, Greek, and Hebrew.[9] The school year lasted 165 days.[19] The four building campus included a gymnasium, computer lab, science laboratory, library, and lunchroom in addition to classrooms.[19][20] Students at Heritage wore dress shirts or polo shirts along with khakis as part of the school’s dress code.[7]
Heritage was a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, a national organization for Classical Christian schools.[7] It was accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools,[1] and was a member of the Association of Christian Schools International.[19] For 2007 to 2008, the co-educational school had 204 students and 16.8 full-time equivalent teachers.[19] This included 17 seniors, and 194 of the 204 students were White.[19] Approximately 75% of graduates at the school went on to college.[7]
Activities
The school sponsored and held a Latin Olympika where the school faced three other schools with Latin programs in athletic and academic challenges.[21] Events included a chariot race, togas, and a Latin themed quiz.[21] Heritage also held an annual Renaissance week that included era costumes and stocks.[13] The school operated a low-power radio station, KQRZ-LP (96.3 FM).
In athletics, Heritage was known as the Knights with school colors of green, navy blue, and burgundy.[2] Teams competed in the Oregon School Activities Association at the 1A level in The Valley 10 League.[2] Heritage fielded teams in boys and girls cross country, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and boys and girls track and field.[2]
