Sister Therese Gutting, FSE, Head of School, works with Cyrus and Kellan in the Atrium of the Franciscan Montessori Earth School, the space where the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is carried out.
PORTLAND, OR (11-16-2018) Congratulations to our Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland, Oregon! For the past three years the Franciscan Montessori Earth School has been working hard to earn accreditation by the Western Catholic Educational Association. On November 16 they were granted a six-year accreditation.
The Western Catholic Educational Association is a private educational accrediting agency for Catholic elementary and secondary schools in ten western United States and the US Territory of Guam. The WCEA is responsible for recognizing schools that exhibit excellence in Catholic education. Schools striving to receive accreditation must demonstrate Catholic identity, strong organization, sound curriculum and instruction, and resources and support services.
It takes a whole school community to create a positive environment for Catholic education. Each staff member, student and parent has been instrumental in making this dream a reality. Sister Therese Gutting, FSE, Head of School, had this to say, “We thank all of our community for your support during this process, and look forward to sharing with you even more ways that our school not only is acknowledged for its achievements, but for being ‘Remarkably Different.'”
The recognition of its programs, staff, students, and outstanding parent community certifies the Franciscan Montessori Earth School as a Catholic Montessori School based on the standards of the WCEA. Sister Therese spoke about the spirit of the “remarkably different” school, “From its beginnings in 1977, the Franciscan Montessori Earth School has represented a unique opportunity for families from all walks of life to participate in an academic and experiential learning process developed by Maria Montessori, and influenced by the spirituality of St. Francis. At the ‘Earth School,’ students are guided to respect themselves and others, and to be stewards of the earth. The Franciscan Montessori Earth School offers an opportunity for families to experience a meaningful connection with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and the faith that they represent. As such, the Franciscan Montessori Earth School is the largest Catholic Montessori school on the west coast, singular in its approach, and unparalleled in its success educating students for life.”