De La Salle North Catholic HS Needs Funds to Build Gym on New School Campus

De La Salle North Catholic HS Needs Funds to Build Gym on New School Campus

Portland, OR. Students at De La Salle North Catholic High School (DLSNC) (pictured above before COVID-19) are excited about having a new facility. Since the launch of its Capital Campaign in March of 2019, DLSNC has raised $20.5 million to construct a new and more permanent school campus in the Cully Neighborhood of North Portland. However, the additional $3.65 million needed for a new gymnasium has not been raised. So far, DLSNC has raised $900,000 for the gymnasium, but time is of the essence because leaders will face a one million dollar price increase and the project will be delayed if the remaining $2.75 million for the gym is not raised by an August 3rd deadline.

Architectural rendering of De La Salle’s new school campus in North Portland.

“It’s not just about our students, it [the gym] will be apart of the Cully neighborhood, a place for after school sports and renting out the facility for youth sports on the weekend,” says Ashleigh de Villiers, VP for Advancement at De La Salle North Catholic High School.

Opened in 2001, De La Salle North Catholic High School serves a racially diverse population of students in the Portland area who typically do not have access to an affordable college preparatory education. De La Salle is the most diverse private high school in Oregon, with 93% of the student body being students of color. It also maintains an income cap that ensures students from low-income families can attend. Students cannot attend La Salle if their family makes more than 75% of the area’s median income. 

Each student works one day a week as a part of DLSNC’s Corporate Work Study, a program that partners with corporations, local businesses, and nonprofits to work with students one day a week. By working one day per week, each student earns half the cost of their tuition throughout the entire four years they attend. DLSNC maintains affordable tuition to ensure a quality education for underserved populations.

Currently, the school rents gym space for sports, but even without a proper on-campus gym, De La Salle’s men’s basketball team earned the 2018 and 2019 state championship title. The high school has made a total of six state appearances.

“The gym is special to us because our boys’ basketball team were the 2018 and 2019 state champions, and they did this without having a home gym,” says Ashleigh de Villiers.

After renting current elementary school building in Kenton from Portland Public Schools, DLSNC decided to pursue a more affordable and sustainable option. It has faced ever-increasing rent, with next year’s rental bill topping out at $480,000. After three years of searching, the school signed a new 50-year lease agreement co-locating with the Saint Charles Parish on 42nd and Killingsworth. The agreement includes two possible 25-year lease extensions which could result in a 100-year lease.

DLSNC hopes to have the new campus built by the Fall of 2021. It will include a visual arts center, science center, and welcoming campus, with the gymnasium being the final part of the facility. Construction is planned to begin at the end of July and will take 12 to 18 months. The new school campus will also allow the student population to increase from 280 to 350 students. Currently, 95% of graduating seniors are accepted to universities. 

Four graduating students, DLSNC Class of 2020

“To have a gym where we hang our banners and have our logo on the floor is something we really care about,” explains de Villiers,

From De La Salle North Catholic High School:

If you’re interested in donating to help build the new gym at De La Salle North Catholic High School, here’s a link: https://www.delasallenorth.org/apps/pages/donate

De La Salle North Catholic High School serves a racially diverse population of capable, motivated, and interested college-bound students from the Portland area who would not otherwise have access to a faith-based, rigorous college-preparatory education.

Here’s more information and some additional architectural renderings of De La Salle’s new school campus in North Portland:

NEW CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

  • State-of-the-Art Science Labs & Maker Space
  • Visual Arts Center
  • Indoor/Outdoor Commons Area 
  • Small, medium and large classrooms
  • Commercial Kitchen
  • High School Competition Gym and Weight Room
  • Administration and Corporate Work Study Offices
  • Guidance and College Counseling Center
  • Academic Resource Center

PROJECT TEAM

  • Shiels Obletz Johnsen Inc
  • Bora Architects
  • P&C Construction
  • The Varga Group
  • Stoel Rives 

 

CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE

  • Mary and Tim Boyle (Honorary Co-Chairs),
  • Jackie Dunckley,
  • Mark Ganz,
  • Kelly Hale,
  • Gay Jacobsen
  • Cyndy Maletis,
  • Patti O’Mara,
  • Matt Powell,
De La Salle North Catholic High School Benefit Breaks Record with $748,135 Raised

De La Salle North Catholic High School Benefit Breaks Record with $748,135 Raised

Portland, OR. “Adventure Awaits” was the theme for the De La Salle North Catholic High School 2018 Fall Benefit. The fundraiser on October 24th raised $748,135, which was a new record by almost $200,000. Werner & Colleen Nistler, Board Chair Patti O’Mara and Terry Porter helped make the event a success. The school provides a faith-based, college preparatory education and an active corporate work study program to underserved students from the Portland area. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas Photography)
 

Eight of the school’s nine Cassin Award winners attended the event. Pictured are Patti O’Mara, Matt Powell, Cyndy & Ed Maletis, Mike Kelley, Mary Boyle, Penny Guest (representing Nani Warren), Gay Jacobsen, Barb & Steve Spence.

 

Summer Widmer, Suzanne Price, & Caitlin MacMillen catch up during the reception.

 

2018 Cassin Award winner Mike Kelley and his wife Laurie enjoy the night.

Board member Cyndy Maletis enjoys a laugh during the program.

President Oscar Leong, Vincent Dixon-Jones and mother Kimberely Jones, and Rosa Leong. Vincent and Kimberely were featured in video The Community We Build.

Board member Bernie Pliska and wife Pamela before the program.

The highlight video shows what an adventure the night was. Stephanie Enriquez-Isais ’19 shared why the Corporate Work Study Program is the Secret Sauce of DLSNC. Vincent Jones-Dixon ’07 moved guests with his example of entering to learn, leaving to serve. Rachel Hartley ’13 performed “Put Your Records On” and got everyone’s feet tapping.

 
From De La Salle North Catholic High School:
 
It takes a community to provide a transformative education to a racially diverse population of capable, motivated and interested college-bound students. Thank you for being part of ours.
Thanks also to the Class of 2019, families, faculty and staff who volunteered at the event and helped make it a success.
 
We are grateful to our event Sponsors:
 
Platinum Sponsor
O’Donnell Law Firm
LLC 
Silver Sponsor
OnPoint Community Credit Union 
Bronze Sponsors
Nancy & Bruce Bolton
Cambia Health Solutions
Clark Foundation
Guardian Real Estate Services
Walsh Construction 
De La Salle Sponsors
Becker Capital
GBD Architects
Moda Health
Reliable Credit
Sussman Shank
Swagelok