St. Matthew Catholic School

Our son has been at St. Matthew since preschool. We are so happy with his academic progress and his social development. There is a smaller class size than you typically find at elementary schools. This means that there is true individual attention to each student. The teachers are excellent. There is a culture of respect between students. Students are encouraged to socialize between classes through multi-age learning and through multi-class activities. The result is an overall feeling of family where older students are empowered through their role as mentors and younger students are inspired by the older students.

Our son has been at St. Matthew's for two years now, and we think it is a great school! The teachers and staff are excellent, and the small class sizes and individual attention really help the students thrive and get the lessons that are right for their level. The students are tested three times a year using the standardized STAR test, which has been really helpful for us as parents to understand where our child is at and have metrics for how he is improving. We are very impressed with the quality of the education, and we love the school community - all the students know each other, and it really feels like a family. Students attend Mass weekly, and each day starts with morning prayer. Highly recommend it as a caring and safe environment with high-quality academics.

St. Matthew is a wonderful school and we are so happy we discovered it. Our daughter is in 4th grade and has gone to both public elementary and another Catholic school in the area. St. Matthew is the best one she has gone to. The academics are strong and the students are diverse, but what really sets the school apart is the culture. Here you find a loving, caring environment for your child that is truly conducive to learning. The prevalence of native Spanish speakers has my daughter learning Spanish faster than before. They teach to the whole child. Kids here are respectful. My daughter enjoys the lack of bullies and social cliques. She is enjoying the best music and religion teachers she has ever had. Due to the smaller school size she gets to participate in Mass often and feels like she is valued as a person instead of just being a number. The parish community is just as genuine and caring as the school and the priests are a reflection of that.

St. Matthew Catholic School has provided what I have been unable to get for my children in my local public school for the past several years - an education. It has been a breath of fresh air to see teachers and staff united around the goal of providing children with the opportunities an education offers. I believe my child will have a solid foundation in math, English, science, and social studies before entering high school. She will also have the benefit of classes in Spanish as a second language, and the development of healthy learning habits and character. As a reference, my alternative in Hillsboro Public Schools was an elementary school (one of the top 2 in the district) that no longer gave spelling tests "because children can use spell checkers." It did not require children to learn their math facts, and the district shared a document with its teachers from the Oregon Department of Education explaining math that teaches right answers is racist. Our public middle school math teacher explained to parents that correct answers are not important in algebra. Homework was forbidden because "it is contrary to equity." So instructional days are sacrificed to reinforcement days, and no alternative to the habits and life skills taught by appropriate amounts of homework was offered - responsibility, delayed gratification, and reinforcement of lessons. Proficiency in math and English is no longer required to earn a high school diploma, and the current superintendent leads the charge to remove all honors classes from the district's middle and high schools. I needed a place where my child could receive an education, and all the opportunities in life offered by an education. I'm so grateful St. Matthew is an option.

My first two children went through public school and I can totally see a BIG difference. Enrolling my two younger children at St. Matthew Catholic School has been the best decision we could have made for them. Our children are thriving in all educational domains. They feel a sense of community and belonging. My children talk highly about their teachers. All the staff are amazing! For me knowing that my children feel happy at their school is very important, they love their school, friends, and teachers. My husband and I are very satisfied with the education our two children are receiving at St. Matthew Catholic School in Hillsboro. I highly recommend St. Matthew Catholic School!

For me as a parent, it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, to transfer my daughter to San Matthew. She has acquired empathy with the community and feels in a safe and calm environment. She has acquired a lot of spiritual tranquility, and I consider this to be the best thing we can do with our teenagers in this time of stress and hurry. spiritual peace is considered to be the best gift for them.