Why I Chose Chesterton

There are three main reasons I attend Chesterton Academy: it’s curriculum, it’s community, and it’s prayer life. The curriculum at Chesterton Academy is integrated so that each year is focused on one time period of History. For example, while studying Ancient History and Philosophy, you learn Old Testament Theology and read Ancient Greek Literature. From the students perspective, this not only makes learning easier and more comprehensive, it also, at the end of your fours years, gives you a Christian worldview in the full perspective of history, enabling you to strive for sanctity accompanied by the wisdom of all the Saints. The classroom at Chesterton is centered on Socratic Dialogue, which not only enhances student understanding, but also develops communication and critical thinking skills.

The second reason I chose to attend Chesterton Academy is it’s community. When surrounded by strong Catholic classmates who come from authentic Catholic families, students are provided a continual Christian witness throughout their time at school. Christ-centered relationships are the foundation for Christian formation, and that is exactly what Chesterton Academy provides.

The third reason I attend Chesterton Academy is its prayer life. At Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley, we begin each day by communally chanting Lauds, turning our gaze to Christ at the very start of our school day. The only way to become a saint is through prayer, and therefore prayer is at the heart of Chesterton Academy. Each class is started and ended with a prayer, either student or teacher led, the Angelus is prayed at lunch along with the meal blessing, and the school day ends with a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. We attend Mass at least once a week, sometimes twice. This is the key to our prayer life because it is where we meet Christ in the Eucharist.

The three reasons why I chose to attend Chesterton Academy are the same reasons why I love it now, and why I would recommend it to any Catholic family looking for a school to form their children into the Saints of the new millennium.

Kristi Lange -- Senior at the Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley