St. Cecilia Elementary School

This school not only has great teachers, great opportunties for arts, music, language and technology, but it has brilliant leadership in Principal Harris. Coupled with a strong school advisory committee and an equally strong parent association, we are truly blessed to be part of this school family. Our child has thrived at this school and we really see it as an extension our family. I see a very small minority of negative comments on this blog, but I firmly believe that if you talk to 10 random families at the school, 9 would tell you they were satisfied beyond expectations. All you have to do is look at the final product. The vast majority of graduates of St. Cecilia go on to excel at some of the areas best high schools. Principal Harris and her team are fantastic and the main reason why we would recommend our school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Cecilia is a wonderful community of caring and giving individuals who are dedicated to providing a quality education. In the midst of hard times in the K-12 education universe, thanks to the leadership of Principal Sue Harris and an amazing teaching and administrative staff, St. Cecilia is successfully preparing youth for high school and beyond as lifelong learners and engaged community members.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Cecilia is an out standing school. Incredible academics, pro-active, fair-minded teachers and administrators and great facilities. This school has it all AND it has it's roots firmly planted in a dynamic and diverse parish. This has been the best education we could have hoped for and the best preparation for the area's top high schools. My child transferred in this year and was readily welcomed by the entire class. Thanks to St. C's, she is happy and thriving. We could not have hoped for a better experience for our child.
—Submitted by a parent

St Cecilia offers an excellent mix of high academic standards, a broad curriculum and traditional Catholic values. My kids have also attended Beaverton School District schools and another private school) and St Cecilia stands above them on numerous planes. There is a challenging course load presented by engaged and caring teachers. Communication from both teachers and administration is excellent. The middle school is more technologically advanced than many high schools as every 7th and 8th grader uses a smart tablet in lieu of textbooks. From a spiritual perspective, not only do the kids go to mass weekly but often go to the Eucharistic Adoration or pray a rosary. I'm sorry to hear that someone below had such a bad experience. Ours has been just the opposite. A former class troublemaker from another school preceded our child in transferring here. Upon learning this we mentioned our concern to the teacher who was already a step ahead of us; she was aware of the previous issues and had been addressing them for months prior to our arrival. The proof was in the pudding - this former abusive student was exhibiting vastly improved behavior. It is comparatively affordable.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children are very happy at St. C's! They like their teachers and talk a lot about the things they learn in school. They also love that Mrs. Harris, the principal, is outside to greet them every morning. We are very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor academics that move at a snail's pace. The reviewer who posted that the school has "rich academics" must have very low standards.The school offers a lot of assistance to student's who are below average academically. This is not a school for high academic achievers - they will be bored. We found the principal, Mrs. Harris, to be full of a lot of hot air. Publicly she comes across well,but behind closed doors her "true colors" shine and it isn't a pretty site. There are several in the area that have much higher academic standards with better curriculum. For parents, that want an excellent education look very carefully before selecting this school.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Cecilia not only provides children with a rich academic environment with extraordinary caring instructors but it also gives children the essential tools for living as contributing members of society who are caring for their community and environment. Mrs. Harris, the school principal, instills such a healthy energy in the school that the children become eager to engage in activities like who can collect the most boxes of mac n cheese for an outreach organization. We have been simply amazed at watching our daughter grow and transform into a well-rounded little member of society and highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child was bullied regularly over a period of several months at St. Cecilia's School. Principal Sue Harris refused to take action after being informed and even when told that other children also were being bullied. The principal stated she felt "nothing abnormal" had happened, though we told her our son had been hit, kicked, pushed and threatened again and again and that there were witnesses to this behavior.. We were told by Principal Harris that if our son responded to these attacks, he would be considered equally at fault. The St. Cecilia's Student Handbook clearly defines the behavior in question as bullying. Our child rightfully has lost trust in those who were supposed to educate him and protect him. He has lost trust in an institution which espouses Christian values, but then sweeps inconvenient truths under the proverbial rug. We had no choice but to wtihdraw him from St. Cecilia's school. The administration at St Cecilia s seems to put their own political concerns above the well-being of a child. We are deeply disappointed and hope that by sharing this story, other children at St. Cecilia s might be spared such uncaring treatment in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are simply amazing. They are dedicated to educating the kids and to helping them become good people with sound moral values. I like the emphasis on building strong character and respect.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Cecilia's provides the best combination of a sound Catholic education with an involved Catholic community anywhere in the state. There are many great schools in the Beaverton area, but St. Cecilia won us over with its curriculum and the wonderful staff and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent