Catholic schools should be open to all, not just those who can afford it.
Many families in Western Oregon want a Catholic school education for their children, but they can’t afford it. Tuition is increasing faster than family income across our state. This affects families in our own parishes and neighborhoods, as well as other families who aren’t Catholic but who want to avail their children of the opportunities and values that a Catholic school education provides.
While some Catholic schools are able to raise enough money to meet the needs of students in their communities, other schools cannot. All families who wish to send their children to Catholic schools in Western Oregon and can demonstrate financial need are eligible for CSEF tuition assistance.
The need is real.
There is no shortage of families in Western Oregon who want a Catholic school education for their children. There is a shortage of families who can afford it. For the 2022-23 school year…
874
Families were assessed to have financial need
1,305
Total number of elementary school students in those families
$6.4 million
Total demonstrated need as indicated by FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment
$4,900
Average need per child
School is challenging. Especially paying for it.
Gone are the days when the archdiocese could afford to educate students at little or no cost to families in the parish schools. Today, the sticker price for a Catholic school education ranges widely across the state, depending on the city or town where the school is located.
$6,600
Statewide average annual elementary tuition, for a single student attending their parish school
$13,360
Annual average diocesan high school tuition, for a single student