Catlin Gabel is. .

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a co-educational, independent day school in Portland serving 750 students in preschool through 12th grade. The school is a progressive, challenging, innovative, multicultural institution of exceptional quality that values each person’s effort, imagination, and contribution to the community. Catlin Gabel adapts to changing times while remaining fiercely loyal to its philosophy and mission.

The school’s roots reach back to 1859. The 1957 merger of the Catlin Hillside School and Gabel Country Day School established the highly respected school that flourishes today. Generations of students and alumni are connected by shared experiences and beloved traditions.

Distinguishing attributes include an outstanding academic program at all levels, extraordinary student-teacher relationships, and a sense of warmth and mutual support.

The Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools accredits Catlin Gabel.

CATLIN GABEL IS...

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CRITICAL ANDCREATIVE THINKING

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY

SPIRIT OF INQUIRY

RELATIONSHIPS

COMMUNITY

INTEGRITY

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

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COREVALUES

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STRENGTHSCommitment to progressive mission & values

Strong, varied curriculum, with valuable enrichment programs

Talented & enthusiastic faculty

Excellent preparation for higher education & lifelong learning

Warm & productive teacher-student relationships

An environment that supports creativity & innovation

Low student-teacher ratio & individual attention

Welcoming community

Experiential, hands-on education

Spirit of inquiry & open debate

Dedicated to developing student ethics, citizenship, & leadership

Co-curriculars such as athletics, robotics, & outdoor education

Strong appreciation for diversity & multiculturalism

Beautiful campus & well-maintained physical plant

TEACHERSAt the heart of the Catlin Gabel experience are powerful and supportive student-teacher relationships. Teachers are quick to note: there is no back row and nobody sits alone, works in a vacuum, or goes unrecognized.

Catlin Gabel teachers are highly educated and dedicated to lifelong learning. The faculty is devoted to, and supported in,studying best practices. They have the freedom to continuallyhone the curriculum and their teaching methods with an eye toward individual learning styles.

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ACADEMICSCatlin Gabel’s academic programs provide a comprehensive curriculum that moves from the concrete to the abstract as children mature. Students learn to think, write, and speak critically and independently. Our programscombine experiential learning with the arts, English, history and social studies, math, science, modern languages, physical education, computer science, and robotics. Over time, students build on skills with increasing levels of independence, reflection, self-discipline, and sophistication. The goal is to encourage lifelong learning and to prepare students for success in college and beyond.

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EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATIONExperiential learning is hands-on learning. It happens in theclassrooms, on special days, and on trips away from campus.Experiential projects, in addition to reinforcing what is taught in the classrooms, provide new and different opportunities to learn with children and adults of all ages, and help link the classroom with the world.

Experiential learning ranges from planting gardens to internships, community service, urban explorations, mountain treks, class trips throughout the Pacific Northwest, and international travel.

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COMMUNITY SERVICE Community service reinforces empathy, leadership, citizenship, and personal responsibility. Service is integrated into our yearlycalendar as students work collectively on school-sponsoredprojects. Students in grades 10 through 12 commit to yearlong service to an organization, project, or idea, and 9th graders receive a solid understanding of service through the Agape Project.

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CATLIN GABEL COMMUNITY

We foster a community that appreciates our differences and recognizes our essential unity. Catlin Gabel takes pride in being an open and diverse community in which differing points of view are welcomed and expected.

Families become involved with school life in myriad ways. Lifelong friendships develop through shared experiences and beloved school traditions.

About one-third of our families identify as people of color. Our school community includes many first-generation and second-generation immigrant families from more than 30 countries, at last count.

Catlin Gabel families live in 60 different zip codes including all four quadrants in Portland, the suburbs, Washington State, and beyond.

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CAMPUS– Open space, playgrounds, orchards, & a fir grove– Beautiful, functional classrooms– New creative arts center – State-of-the-art science labs– Dedicated robotics lab– Extensive gardens– World-class track and field– Indoor and outdoor tennis courts– 600-seat theater– 3 libraries– 60 wooded acres on a former farm– 5 miles west of downtown Portland

ADMISSIONNew students are enrolled at every grade level, but the most common entry points – with the most spaces for new students – are preschool, kindergarten, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 9th grade. Roughly 120 new students join our school each year. The early application deadline is in December; the final deadline is in January for preschool through 5th grade, and February for 6th through 12th grade.

THINGS TO KNOW


SCHOLARSHIPSWe offer three distinctive scholarship opportunities for Middle and Upper School students.

Palma Scholars Program for students applying to 9th grade. Palma Scholars demonstrate achievement and potential in four key areas: academics, athletics, service, and leadership. They receive some financial assistance based on merit.

Malone Scholars Program for new or current students in grades 7 – 12. Malone Scholars are in the top 5 percent of their class and must qualify for at least 50% of tuition in financial aid funds.

Caroline D. Bradley Scholarships for exceptionally gifted 7th grade students who apply to the Institute for Educational Advancement. The scholarship covers tuition for all four years of high school.

2014–15 TUITIONPreschool . . . . . . . $20,100Kindergarten . . . . $21,800Grades 1 – 5 . . . . . $23,580Grades 6 – 8 . . . . . $26,090Grades 9 –12 . . . . . $26,990

FINANCIAL AIDIn 2014-15 the school provided more than $3.5 million to families with annual household incomes ranging primarily between $13,550 and $183,00.

Award grants ranged from $3,370 to $26,890 and averaged $17,244.

THINGS TO KNOWFOODSnacks and lunch are prepared daily in our campus cafeteria with an emphasis on locally sourced, healthful, internationally flavored food.

TRANSPORTATIONStudents arrive by foot, car, bike, Catlin Gabel bus, and public transportation. Enrolled families have access to a carpool map.

ANNUAL CALENDARCatlin Gabel roughly matches Portland Public and Beaverton Public Schools’ schedules for vacations, holidays, and the first and last days of school.

SCHOOL HOURSPreschool 8:20 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Extended Preschool 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Kindergarten 8:20 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.Lower School 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.Middle School 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.Upper School 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Before–School Program 7:15 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.After–School Program 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

LANGUAGESSpanish and Mandarin are offered in 1st through 12th grades. French is offered in 6th through 12th grades.

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ATHLETICSThe athletics program (OSAA 1A/2A/3A) is open to all Middle and Upper School students and features a “no cut” policy with the exception of varsity-level teams. Student athletes, teams, and coaches have been honored nationally and statewide as state champions, All-Americans, coaches of the year, and players of the year as well as with all-state and district honors.

The athletics program includes soccer, cross-country, and volleyball in the fall; basketball, swimming, ski and snowboard, and racquetball in the winter; and baseball, track & field, golf, and tennis in the spring. Catlin Gabel supports the many students who participate in sports outside the school.

EVALUATIONSTeachers use various methods for communicating about a student’s work. The core of Catlin Gabel’s formal evaluation system is the combination of written reports and parent-teacher conferences throughout the year. Additional meetings may be scheduled at any time. We encourage two-way communication between parents and the school.

Students receive feedback about their daily work in a variety of ways. They come to expect direct, personal, and timely feedback from their teachers, constructive critiques from their peers, and opportunities for self-evaluation. Upper School students receive letter grades because they are required for college transcripts, but we hope all students will see their education as a continual internal process–not as one measured by letter grades.


Catlin Gabel is organized into four divisions: Beginning, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. The teachers in each division are specialists in meeting the academic and social needs of the students in those grade levels. They create a learning climate that is safe, supportive, and based on respectful relationships.

FOUR SCHOOLSIN ONE

BEGINNING SCHOOL58 STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTENWe start with what children do best: play. It’s natural for children to build, create, explore and interact; we provide a curriculum and a loving space for each of those capacities to expand. Our role is to guide children as they take in new ideas and facts, and further develop their social and physical skills. We encourage Beginning School students to ask, evaluate, and decide, to stand up for themselves, and to listen to others.

Our students’ days encompass a rich interdisciplinary homeroom experience and a blend of special subjects: woodshop, music, library, and PE. Our curriculum is designed to include each student, with a refreshing appreciation for children working at different paces. Worksheets are rare, and homework at this age is usually for the parents: we provide frequent suggestions for reinforcing at home what’s happening in the classroom.


PRESCHOOLTwenty-two 4- and 5-year-olds gather in one large classroom with distinct areas for varied learning activities

Two homeroom teachers and one teaching assistant

Teacher specialists for woodshop, music, PE, and library

One counselor and two learning specialists sharedwith the Lower School

Three parent-teacher conferences per year start with a teacher homevisit in August, followed by conferences at school in November and March

Parents are welcome to help in the classroom and on projects outside the classroom

Students spend time outdoors every day

Traditions include the Family Heritage Potluck, Friday Sing, and the It’s-Not-As-Easy-As-It-Looks Circus

KINDERGARTEN Thirty-six 5- and 6-year-olds gather in two large classrooms and an art studio

Two homeroom teachers, one studio teacher, and two teaching assistants

Teacher specialists for woodshop, music, PE, and library

One counselor and two learning specialists shared with the Lower School

Three yearly parent-teacher conferences: a brief get–to–know–you one in September, followed up in fall and spring

Literacy and math skills expanded in interdisciplinary ways

Multiple field trips throughout the year

Partnerships forged with older students

Students spend time outdoors every day

Traditions include Friday Sing, Kindergarten Olympics, and wooden boat races

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LOWER SCHOOL200 STUDENTS IN GRADES 1–5The link between freedom and responsibility is a theme that runs through Lower School. Early on, children learn that with freedom comes an opportunity to take calculated risks and accept responsibility for their own learning. We encourage students to take and share responsibility, make and keep promises, appropriately assert themselves, and respectfully disagree with their classmates. As students take increasing ownership over their education, they gain insight into their and their classmates’ individual learning styles.

The curriculum is broadly defined to include content, skills, knowledge, and the development of character, creativity, and habits of mind such as perseverance and thoughtful risk taking. In addition to academics, the curriculum builds on creative thinking and imagination, social and personal competence, and moral and ethical development.

The library serves as the hub of the school where students enjoy literature, conduct research, and browse through a substantial collection of books and resources. They also congregate in this space to share and learn from one another during weekly community meetings.


40 students on average in each grade with two homerooms of 20 students

Each homeroom has one lead teacher and an assistant

Homeroom teachers provide instruction in math, social studies, and literacy, which is about 50% of a student’s week

Special subject teachers provide instruction in Spanish or Mandarin, science, music, art, PE, woodshop, and library skills

A counselor, two learning specialists, and a math specialist support learning and emotional needs

Three yearly parent-teacher conferences: a brief get-to-know-you one in September, followed up in fall and spring

Students bring their own lunch or purchase lunch in the cafeteria

20-minute mid-morning recess and 45-minute lunch recess every day

Field trips throughout the year along with an annual class trip involving at least one overnight stay

Technology is thoughtfully integrated with a dedicated set of iPads for each grade. Mobile laptop carts in 4th and 5th grades outfit the classroom

Traditions include the Harvest Festival, Pet Show, and Spring Festival

MIDDLE SCHOOL185 STUDENTS IN GRADES 6–8The Middle School provides a transition from the homeroom atmosphere of the Lower School to the departmental configuration of the Upper School. The curriculum challenges students with a vigorous academic program with plenty of opportunity for learning by doing. We are sensitive to the special experience of early adolescents and their physical changes, moral development, concerns about self-approval and peer approval, and varying abilities to assess risk. Our teachers understand that young adolescents are inspired to learn when social interaction is encouraged.

The core of the Middle School academic program includes studies in the arts, English, history, mathematics, science, modern languages, and physical education-health. Classes are structured so students build increasing independence, with a focus on developing lifelong skills such as organization and note taking, public speaking, time management, interpersonal relationship building, and emotional intelligence.

Frequent field trips, service learning projects, co-curricular activities, and inter-scholastic sports programs enhance the regular classroom experience. Co-curricular offerings built into the school day range from photography to MathCounts, theater games, robotics, gardening, Science Olympiad, and yearbook. Additional and optional co-curriculars offered after school include robotics, outdoor education, athletics, and clubs for special interests.


Class sizes: approximately 56 (grade 6) 64 (grade 7) and 65 (grade 8)

16 students on average in each class

Mixed-grade groups of about 8 students meet with faculty advisors daily

Parents conference with teachers in November and receive written reports on student progress three times per year

7-day rotating schedule, 5 classes per day, with time for snack, lunch, class meetings, assemblies, student activities, and life skills classes (health, library, leadership, studying, current events, media awareness)

Monthly service learning day to volunteer on campus and out in the community

Experiential learning built into the curriculum includes Discovery Days and Campus Day in the fall, and Breakaway in the spring

Annual extended trips: 6th grade to Oregon coast, 7th grade to Mount St. Helens, 8th grade musical performance in the San Juan Islands

Sports offered are soccer, track & field, cross country, basketball, and volleyball with an emphasis on participation, learning, and team building

Traditions include 6th grade go-cart making in woodshop followed by races, 7th grade FAME (Feudal Asia, Medieval Europe) projects in world cultures class, and the 8th grade comedy production of “St. George and the Dragon”

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UPPER SCHOOL300 STUDENTS IN GRADES 9–12The Upper School offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum: history, math, science, English, arts, computer science, modern languages, and physical education, as well as co-curricular offerings such as outdoor education, robotics, global education, and athletics. We aim for a balance that allows both a genuinely challenging, world-class curriculum and a healthy, manageable student experience with room for fun, volunteer activities, class trips, and our wide range of student organizations.

Upper School teachers promote cross-disciplinary work that encourages students to delve deeply into topics and make connections across fields of study. A significant number of students enroll in advanced classes. Students may also conduct independent work in science and the arts, and often submit their work to national competitions.

Our students are emerging adults who think deeply, speak up, make eye contact, understand themselves as learners, and take a keen interest in the world. They have the confidence and well-developed ethical standards to make a difference.

Our two college counselors work with students to identify ideal college matches, refine applications, hone essays, and navigate decisions. Most of our students gain acceptance to their top college choices.

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Approximately 75 students in each grade level

15 students on average in each class

Faculty advisor for each student for all four years

Parents conference with teachers in November and receive written reports on student progress three times per year

7-day rotating schedule, 5 classes per day, with time for breaks, lunch, advisory groups, assemblies, and co-curricular meetings

SAT scores are 30% higher than the national average

Graduates attend Ivy League colleges, selective small colleges, state universities, and other best-fit institutions

OSAA athletics

Students connect to the greater Portland community through service work, internships, PLACE (Planning and Leadership Across City Environments),and independent research projects

Multiple leadership opportunities include student government, student newspaper, mock trial, Diversity Conference, activity clubs, and international science, math, literary, and arts competitions

Every senior engages in a month-long project, most often an internship at a local nonprofit or business

All students use a personal laptop computer

Traditions include Homecoming, Kidnap Day (shhh, it’s a secret), Tuition on the Track walkathon, advisory group breakfasts and teacher-student basketball tournaments, student-run assemblies, and yearlong senior and 1st grade student buddy system

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WE INVITE YOUTO GET TO KNOW US BETTER

We look forward to getting to know you.

Please contact the admission office at any time if you have questions. Visit the admission section of the website for details about the admission process, timeline, financial aid, and to apply online.

www.catlin.edu/[email protected]

8825 SW Barnes Road, Portland, Oregon 97225

503-297-1894 www.catlin.edu

Documents

Catlin Gabel is. .