Pilgrim Lutheran School Announces New Principal

Aug. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Pilgrim Lutheran School has announced the appointment of their new principal, Mr. Chris Herold. This comes days after the Beaverton School District announced a district wide cut in public school staffing.

Herold has been with PLS since 2002, where he started teaching second grade, and most recently has been the school’s seventh grade instructor as well as the school’s Social Studies and Creative Writing specialist for sixth through eighth grade.  
 
“He has been an integral part of the Pilgrim Lutheran School team,” noted Richard Harris of the Pilgrim Lutheran School board.  “In addition to his teaching and leadership over the years, Mr. Herold took over as the school’s summer interim principal in 2011, and was responsible for restarting the school’s Student Leadership Program.  His expertise and commitment to the school and its children made him the ideal choice for principal.”

Herold has a Masters in Teaching from Concordia University, and is continuing his education to receive his Administrator’s License this year.  His diverse background includes owning a small business, serving as a District Executive for the Cascade Pacific Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and co-managing the Beaverton branch of Beginright Employment Service.  

“I have enjoyed the chance to help children grow over several years in my classroom,” said Herold. “I have also considered becoming a principal ever since becoming a teacher. Recent public schools cuts have only reinforced the value of private Christian education in our community.”

On July 26th, the Oregonian reported that the Beaverton School District was in the process of laying off 204 teachers, counselors, and other licensed staff, and added that the layoffs will touch nearly all programs and subjects from math to special education.

Herold added, “These recent Beaverton public school cuts have created an uptick in families looking for another solution. When all is said and done, the 365 teachers Beaverton is integrating into new schools and subjects equals 16% of the teachers adjusting to new jobs while having extra-large classes.  Our small class sizes, individualized attention, and high academic scores are a clear alternative.”

As a private school, PLS is funded through private tuition and volunteer efforts, and offers opportunities for student involvement in music, sports, in-house library and extracurricular activities.  

According to the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), the average class scores for Pilgrim Lutheran last year (1-8th) showed students by first grade to be 1 year four months above grade level equivalent and by eighth grade were 5 years above grade level equivalent.   School wide, the average class score was 2 years, 9 months ahead.  The average student scored at the 80th percentile for their composite score.  Pilgrim Lutheran School has been at either the 95th or 96th percentile of schools taking this test since at least 2008, putting the school in the top 4-5% of schools tested.


“Many new families ask us where our kids end up going to college,” noted Herold.  “We have graduates that have gone onto Duke, Gonzaga, Pepperdine, Disney University, UW engineering, and Concordia (to name a few).  I think this speaks to the challenge level of our classes and that they are accountable and learn the behaviors and skills that lead to successful learning at all levels.”

As a special incentive, Pilgrim Lutheran School is offering a 2012-13 tuition discount of 5% till January 1, 2013.

For more information contact the school office at 503-644-8697.

About Pilgrim Lutheran School
Pilgrim Lutheran School is a Christian day school, serving girls & boys from preschool through eighth grade. Pilgrim Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.  For more or information call our school office 503-644-8697 or email school.office@pilgrimbeaverton.com.