High School
Portland Lutheran’s college preparatory high school curriculum is designed to develop well-rounded students with high potential who are excited about learning, self-motivated, resourceful, and respectful of others. The program empowers students to be self-directed lifelong learners who are confident in themselves and their faith and are inspired to make a difference in their work and community.
A comprehensive course offering includes college preparatory studies in science, math, english, religion, social science, fine arts, and foreign language. Elective opportunities in these subject areas and others help students discover their God given gifts and talents and become passionate about using them in post-secondary pursuits and beyond.
College preparation is rounded out with an athletic program that includes football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, and track. Extracurricular activities are limited only by student imagination. Current extracurriculars include music lab, performance music club, film making club, leadership council, and a plethora of community service opportunities.
Two specialized programs are available to students whose ambitions exceed regular curriculum offerings:
- The PLS Honors Program is designed to give students with ability and desire an avenue to expand their education. An “honors” designation on the transcript may positively influence college admission and scholarships. In addition to standard curriculum for a given course, an honors student completes an independent, original research project germane to the course work of the class or an accelerated version of the course curriculum. Students must apply for the program and meet specific prerequisites. All projects are under the guidance of the instructor.
- Baccalaureate Package (BacPac) is a program for PLS students who have demonstrated capacity for college-level work. In each semester of their junior and senior years, students have the opportunity to enroll in a college-level course taught by a Concordia University professor, thereby earning college credit before high school graduation. BacPac offers students the option of getting an early start at fulfilling general college requirements and, at the same time, saving money on college tuition. By successfully completing all four college courses during the 11th and 12th grade years, a student will have finished an entire semester of college before starting.
Portland Lutheran School is partnering with Concordia University to offer this innovative opportunity to college-bound students who apply and are accepted. Students earn transcripts from Concordia that are transferable to colleges and universities throughout the country. As a bonus, they are considered students of Concordia as well as Portland Lutheran and thereby enjoy corresponding benefits such as library and online privileges.
The four semesters of BacPac courses currently offered include: Principles of Psychology, Principles of Sociology, Introduction to Cultural Geography, and Environmental Science.