
Chesterton Academy of Mater Dei / chestertonmaterdei.org
CV NEWS FEED // A Catholic high school is set to open in 2025 in Bend, Oregon. It hopes to offer families a classical Catholic curriculum at an affordable price.
Central Oregon Daily News reported that the academic addition of Chesterton Academy of Mater Dei will be the first Catholic high school option in Bend, which currently has options including charter, private, Montessori, and home schools.
The academy’s website states: “With the Blessing of Bishop Cary, we are excited to announce Chesterton Academy of Mater Dei is a joyfully catholic classical high school coming to Central Oregon Fall of 2025.”
St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bend hosted an informational meeting with the academy’s board and interested families on May 6.
Board chair Kevin Smith told Central Oregon, “When you walked in and they started presenting and you realize the type of education that they’re talking about, you can’t find it in central Oregon. It’s hard to find in Oregon.”
Central Oregon reported that the school’s board hopes to make the academy affordable for all families.
Mary Bartholomew, a parent, told Central Oregon, “I’m actually really excited for this opportunity. I love that the children will be learning the classics and taking things back the way that education used to be.”
The school’s opening has been met with enthusiasm across the Diocese, Smith said.
“We’ve emailed all the priests and parishes. They’re all behind us,” he said. “They’re excited because, again, it gives the families here that K-through-12 option which they don’t have right now.”
The academy is a part of Chesterton Schools Network, which is based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to the Ohio-based Chesterton Academy of St. Benedict, there are currently 56 Chesterton schools operating across the United States and in Canada.
