PLS History

PLS HistoryThrough 100 years, five names and three locations, Portland Lutheran School continues:

  • to inspire excellence in learning
  • to nurture the whole student
  • to build a caring Christian community

Portland Lutheran began as Concordia Academy in 1905, founded to train pastors and parochial school teachers for a growing Lutheran community in the Northwest. In 1950, Concordia Junior College was added. The high school became coeducational with the admission of girls in 1968.

The number of general education students continued to grow, and an association of local Lutheran churches was formed to take over support of Concordia Lutheran High School from the national church body. The Portland Lutheran Association for Christian Education (P.L.A.C.E.) assumed ownership and operation of the school in 1977.

The transition from national to local church affiliation was finalized with the move to a site in Southeast Portland at 162nd and Division. LuHi expanded to include a private elementary school in 1986 with the addition of kindergarten and seventh and eighth grades. By 1989, the long-held dream of a K-12 school was realized, and the transition to Portland Lutheran School was complete.

The facility at 162nd and Division was bursting at the seams. PLS was on the move again in 1990, this time to the once-public Rockwood Middle School, where it remains today.

Portland Lutheran prioritizes in-classroom additions and updates like textbooks and lab equipment, but the school also expands its facilities as necessary to accommodate growth. The most recent addition is the Roy Ahlschwede Christian Center, which includes a new gymnasium, two classrooms and support areas for both academics and athletics.