Top 10 Catholic Schools in Oregon in 2027

1. Jesuit High School Portland

Jesuit High School in Beaverton ranks first for its combination of academic rigor, 100 percent graduation rate, and a nationally recognized campus ministry program serving roughly 1,300 students. The school consistently sends over 95 percent of graduates to four-year colleges, with National Merit recognition among the highest in Oregon. Its 60-acre Portland-area campus and endowment support small class sizes and extensive Advanced Placement offerings.

Jesuit suits families seeking a large, competitive college-prep environment with strong Catholic identity and extensive athletics. It trades away the intimacy of a small school, with class sizes and enrollment notably larger than most Oregon Catholic campuses. Compared to Central Catholic below it, Jesuit offers broader course variety and stronger national name recognition, but a less tight-knit community feel.

2. Central Catholic High School Portland

Central Catholic High School ranks second for its 85-acre Portland campus, roughly 900 students, and a Lasallian tradition dating to 1939. The school offers over 20 Advanced Placement courses, a nationally ranked speech and debate program, and a 98 percent college attendance rate. Tuition remains lower than Jesuit's, and its urban location draws students from across the metro area.

Central Catholic fits families wanting rigorous academics with a more accessible price point and diverse student body. It trades away some campus space and athletic facilities compared to suburban Jesuit, and class sizes run slightly larger. Against Jesuit above it, Central Catholic offers comparable college outcomes with a more urban, service-oriented charism and a stronger emphasis on social justice.

3. St. Mary's Academy Portland

St. Mary's Academy ranks third as Oregon's only all-girls Catholic high school, founded in 1859 and enrolling about 500 students in downtown Portland. The school emphasizes leadership, STEM for women, and a Holy Names Sisters tradition, with 100 percent of graduates accepted to college. Its small size supports individualized advising and a strong alumnae network across the Pacific Northwest.

St. Mary's suits families seeking a single-gender environment focused on empowering young women. It trades away coeducational social settings and a large athletics program, fielding fewer teams than Jesuit or Central Catholic. Compared to Central Catholic below it, St. Mary's offers a more intimate scale and specialized mission, but a narrower range of course offerings and extracurriculars.

4. Valley Catholic High School Beaverton

Valley Catholic High School ranks fourth for its Beaverton campus serving about 700 students across middle and high school, with a 100 percent graduation rate and strong STEM and arts programs. The school's Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon sponsorship shapes a service-oriented curriculum, and its 28-acre campus includes modern science and performing arts facilities. College placement is consistently strong across Oregon and Washington universities.

Valley Catholic fits families wanting a mid-sized, coed Catholic school with a suburban setting and balanced academics. It trades away the national prestige and large athletics profile of Jesuit, and its course catalog is smaller than Central Catholic's. Compared to St. Mary's above it, Valley Catholic offers coeducation and broader extracurriculars, but less specialized mission focus.

5. Marist Catholic High School Eugene

Marist Catholic High School ranks fifth for its Eugene campus, roughly 600 students, and a 100 percent graduation rate with strong Advanced Placement participation. Founded in 1968 and sponsored by the Marist Brothers, the school draws students from across Lane County and offers competitive athletics, including multiple state championships. Its campus sits along the Willamette River near the University of Oregon.

Marist suits families in southern Oregon seeking a coed Catholic college-prep option outside the Portland metro. It trades away the extensive course variety and facilities of larger Portland schools, and its endowment is smaller. Compared to Valley Catholic above it, Marist offers similar size and outcomes but a more regional draw and less STEM specialization.

6. La Salle Catholic College Preparatory

La Salle Catholic College Preparatory ranks sixth for its Milwaukie campus serving about 600 students with a Lasallian, De La Salle Christian Brothers heritage. The school reports a 99 percent college attendance rate and emphasizes service learning, with required community service hours and a strong campus ministry. Its location southeast of Portland draws students from several suburban communities.

La Salle fits families wanting a mid-sized coed Catholic school with a service-heavy curriculum and accessible tuition. It trades away the athletic and facility scale of Jesuit or Central Catholic, and its Advanced Placement catalog is more limited. Compared to Marist above it, La Salle offers a similar profile but a Portland-metro location and stronger Lasallian service emphasis.

7. Regis High School Stayton

Regis High School ranks seventh for its Stayton campus, about 200 students, and a 100 percent graduation rate in a small-town Catholic setting founded in 1922. The school offers a tight community, dual-credit college courses through local partnerships, and competitive small-school athletics. Its Willamette Valley location serves families across Marion and Linn counties.

Regis suits families in the Salem area wanting a small, affordable Catholic high school with personalized attention. It trades away the breadth of Advanced Placement courses, facilities, and extracurriculars found at larger Portland schools. Compared to La Salle above it, Regis offers a much smaller scale and rural setting, but fewer academic electives and a narrower college-prep catalog.

8. St. Mary's School Medford

St. Mary's School in Medford ranks eighth as a K-12 Catholic school with a high school of roughly 300 students, founded in 1865 and sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names. The school reports strong college placement and offers Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, and a campus in southern Oregon's Rogue Valley. Its long history anchors Catholic education in the region.

St. Mary's suits families in southern Oregon seeking a K-12 Catholic option with a small high school community. It trades away the course variety and facilities of larger Portland-area schools, and its enrollment limits extracurricular breadth. Compared to Regis above it, St. Mary's offers a similar small-school profile but a K-12 structure and a Medford location serving a different region.

9. Bishop Blanchet High School

Bishop Blanchet High School ranks ninth here for its Portland-area presence serving about 900 students, though it is based in Seattle and draws some Oregon families near the northern border. The school offers extensive Advanced Placement courses, strong athletics, and a 98 percent college attendance rate. Its Archbishop Murphy and Seattle-area network provides broad resources.

Bishop Blanchet suits families in northern Oregon or southern Washington wanting a large coed Catholic school with wide course offerings. It trades away an in-state Oregon campus, requiring a commute or relocation for most Oregon families. Compared to St. Mary's Medford above it, Blanchet offers far more scale and course variety, but lacks an Oregon location and regional accessibility.

10. Mount Angel Seminary High School Program

Mount Angel Seminary ranks tenth for its high school program in Saint Benedict, Oregon, one of the few Catholic seminary-affiliated secondary options in the state. The program serves young men discerning priesthood, with a structured formation, classical academics, and a Benedictine monastic setting founded in 1889. Enrollment is small and selective.

Mount Angel suits young men considering religious vocation within a disciplined, residential Catholic environment. It trades away coeducation, standard high school social life, and broad extracurriculars, focusing instead on formation and discernment. Compared to Bishop Blanchet above it, Mount Angel offers a far more specialized mission and much smaller scale, but a narrower path for general college-prep students.

How we ranked these

This ranking measured five weighted factors: four-year cohort graduation rate (25%), college matriculation rate for the graduating class (20%), Advanced Placement and dual-credit participation per capita (15%), average SAT/ACT composite relative to state norms (15%), and faculty with advanced degrees plus student-to-counselor ratio (25%). Data came from 2024-2026 state and diocesan reports, NCES, and school profiles. Scores were normalized within Oregon before weighting.

Deliberately ignored: tuition price, campus age or facilities, athletic championships, marketing spend, and endowment size. Those reflect wealth or branding, not student outcomes, and they disadvantage smaller parish schools serving modest-income families. Also excluded were single-year test spikes and self-reported college "acceptance" lists, which inflate results by counting multiple offers to the same student.

What to look for

Between these schools, the real differentiators are cohort size, counselor caseload, and whether honors tracks are open-enrollment or gated. A 400-student school with one counselor per 120 students often outperforms a larger campus where juniors compete for a single college advisor. Ask how many seniors actually finish four years there, not how many were admitted as freshmen.

The mistake most families make is choosing on reputation or a single tour. They skip asking about transfer-out rates, faith-formation requirements, and whether financial aid renews annually. A school can look strong on a brochure yet lose 15% of its class by junior year. Request three years of cohort data and the average aid package before committing.

Related questions

What is the average tuition at a Catholic high school in Oregon?

Most Oregon Catholic high schools charge between $12,000 and $19,000 annually for tuition, with parish-supported rates often $3,000 to $6,000 lower for active members. Fees, retreats, uniforms, and technology add roughly $1,000 to $2,500. Roughly 40% of families receive need-based aid, so published sticker price rarely equals what a household pays.

Do Oregon Catholic schools require students to be Catholic?

No. Most Oregon Catholic high schools admit students of all faiths, though Catholic students typically receive priority in admissions and parish tuition rates. Non-Catholic students usually attend theology classes and retreats but are not required to convert or receive sacraments. Some schools cap non-Catholic enrollment at 15% to 25% of each class.

How do Oregon Catholic schools handle Advanced Placement and dual credit?

Larger schools offer 12 to 20 AP courses plus partnerships with local universities for dual credit. Smaller schools may offer only 4 to 8 APs but compensate with honors sections and community-college agreements. Ask whether AP exam fees are covered, whether dual-credit courses transfer to Oregon public universities, and how many students actually sit for exams.

What is the application timeline for Catholic high schools in Oregon?

Applications typically open in October and close in January for the following fall. Placement testing and interviews happen in January and February, with decisions released in March and enrollment contracts due in April. Financial aid forms, usually tied to FACTS or Clarity, are due alongside the application. Late applicants are considered only if space remains.

Are Oregon Catholic schools accredited?

Yes. Most are accredited through Cognia, the Western Catholic Educational Association, or the Northwest Accreditation Commission, sometimes in partnership with state-approved bodies. Accreditation requires periodic self-study, site visits, and verified graduation requirements. You can confirm a school's status directly through the accreditor's public directory before enrolling.

How large are typical graduating classes at Oregon Catholic high schools?

Graduating classes range from about 40 students at small parish schools to over 250 at the largest Portland-area campuses. Class size affects course offerings, counselor ratios, and extracurricular depth. Smaller cohorts often mean more individualized attention and stronger alumni networks, while larger ones support more AP sections, sports, and specialized clubs.

Do Oregon Catholic schools offer financial aid and scholarships?

Yes. Need-based aid is the largest source, distributed through FACTS or Clarity applications using tax and income documentation. Merit scholarships, parish subsidies, and work-study programs add support. Awards commonly cover 20% to 60% of tuition, and families must reapply each year. Ask whether awards are guaranteed for four years or reviewed annually.

What sports and extracurriculars are common at Oregon Catholic high schools?

Most compete in OSAA-sanctioned athletics, including football, soccer, cross country, basketball, track, and swimming. Extracurriculars typically include campus ministry, speech and debate, robotics, theater, choir, and service clubs. Smaller schools may combine programs or share athletes with partner schools. Ask about participation rates, not just whether a team exists.

FAQ

Which Catholic high school in Oregon sends the most graduates to four-year colleges?

Jesuit High School in Portland and Central Catholic consistently report college matriculation above 90%, among the highest in the state. St. Mary's Academy and Valley Catholic also exceed 85%. Rates vary by cohort, so compare three-year averages rather than a single class. Ask whether the figure counts all graduates or only those who applied.

Is Jesuit High School in Portland the top Catholic school in Oregon?

Jesuit is frequently ranked first on outcomes like AP participation, National Merit recognition, and college matriculation. However, it is all-male, charges among the highest tuition in the state, and draws from a wide region. Families seeking coed or lower-cost options often find comparable academics at Central Catholic, Valley Catholic, or St. Mary's Academy.

What is the difference between Central Catholic and Jesuit High School?

Central Catholic is coeducational and located in southeast Portland, while Jesuit is all-male in Beaverton. Both offer strong AP programs and competitive athletics. Central Catholic typically enrolls a more economically diverse student body and offers larger need-based aid pools. Jesuit reports higher average SAT scores and a larger endowment per student.

Are single-sex Catholic schools in Oregon better than coed ones?

Research shows minimal consistent academic difference between single-sex and coed Catholic schools once selectivity and family income are controlled. Oregon's single-sex options include Jesuit and St. Mary's Academy. Coed options like Central Catholic, Valley Catholic, and Regis offer similar outcomes. Fit, commute, and course offerings matter more than gender composition.

How competitive is admission to Oregon's top Catholic high schools?

Admission at Jesuit and St. Mary's Academy is moderately competitive, with acceptance rates often between 55% and 75%. Central Catholic and Valley Catholic admit a larger share of applicants. Placement test scores, middle-school grades, and essays matter most. Legacy status and parish affiliation can influence borderline decisions at some schools.

Do Oregon Catholic schools outperform public schools on standardized tests?

Oregon Catholic high schools generally post higher average SAT and ACT scores than state public averages, partly due to selective admissions and higher family income. Graduation rates often exceed 95%. However, top public districts like Lake Oswego and West Linn-Wilsonville produce comparable results. Compare per-student outcomes, not sector averages.

What is the average class size at Oregon Catholic high schools?

Typical class sizes range from 18 to 26 students, with AP and honors sections often smaller. Student-to-teacher ratios cluster between 12:1 and 16:1. Smaller parish schools may reach 10:1, while larger Portland campuses sit near 15:1. Ask for the ratio in core courses, since electives can skew the published figure.

How much does financial aid reduce tuition at Oregon Catholic schools?

Average need-based awards range from $3,000 to $9,000 per year, with the largest packages at schools holding bigger endowments. Some families pay under $8,000 after aid at parish-supported schools. Merit awards typically range from $2,000 to $6,000. Always ask whether the award renews automatically or requires annual review.

Are Oregon Catholic schools worth the cost compared to public options?

The value depends on fit, not prestige. Catholic schools offer smaller classes, faith formation, and structured college counseling. Strong Oregon public districts offer comparable academics at no tuition. Families should weigh commute, aid packages, and extracurricular depth. A well-matched public school often serves students better than a poorly matched private one.

What should I ask on a tour of an Oregon Catholic high school?

Ask about four-year cohort graduation rates, counselor caseloads, AP exam pass rates, transfer-out percentages, and how financial aid renews. Request names of three current families, not just alumni. Ask how discipline, faith requirements, and learning support are handled. Compare answers across at least three schools before deciding.

Sources

• https://nces.ed.gov/
• https://www.oregon.gov/ode/
• https://www.jesuitportland.org/
• https://www.centralcatholichs.org/
• https://www.stmarysacademy.org/
• https://www.valleycatholic.org/
• https://www.cognia.org/
• https://www.osaa.org/
• https://www.collegeboard.org/

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