De La Salle North Catholic High School (DLSNC) opens its new doors next month. The school relocates from its north Fenwick Avenue location – its home since 2006 – to St. Charles Church, located near the intersection of 42nd Avenue and Killingsworth Street.
DLSNC, established in 2001, is a private, four-year, college preparatory school that provides education for under–served students. According to school officials, it is Oregon’s most diverse private school.
Ninety percent of the students receive financial aid, and in 2020, 100% of its graduating seniors were accepted to colleges. All DLSNC students participate in a corporate work-study program, which offsets 75% of their tuition fees.
School officials began searching for a new home in 2016, and 40 different potential locations were evaluated prior to the move. In March 2019, a letter of intent agreement was reached with St. Charles for the school to use the church grounds for the next 50 years, with assurances for two 25-year extensions.
Last summer construction began for the new $20 million facility. A variety of private and public donors funded the school’s development with $25 million.
“We are really excited about the coming together of the De La Salle, St. Charles and Cully communities,” said Oscar Leong, DLSNC president. “It’s a true partnership, in harmony with the community.”
The new campus features state-of-the art science laboratories, a visual arts center and a new gymnasium. DLSNC’s girls and boys volleyball and basketball teams have traveled off campus historically for practices and games. Since 2018, all three teams have been very competitive, and the boys team won the 3A State Championship in 2018 and 2019.
The new facility will also allow for increased enrollment, from 280 to 350 students when autumn term begins Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Applications for the coming school year are still being accepted. For details, call 503.285.9385.
Dan Werle lives in Concordia with his wife, Anna, and their dogs.