» Children’s Scholarship Fund — Portland

Children’s Scholarship Fund — Portland

 

Mission and History

The Children’s Scholarship Fund-Portland provides privately funded elementary school scholarships for Oregon children from lower-income families to attend any private, parochial or home school of their parents’ choice.

CSF-Portland’s mission is to maximize educational opportunity at all income levels by offering tuition assistance for financially needy families and by promoting a diverse and competitive education environment.

As far as we are aware, CSF-Portland is the only private scholarship program in Oregon granting awards at the elementary level that may be used at any legally operating private, parochial or home school. Scholarships are paid directly to the school, and parents may change their children’s schools whenever they wish.

CSF-Portland is a partner program of the renowned national Children’s Scholarship Fund, founded in 1998 by Ted Forstmann and the late John Walton. We are honored to be one of only 39 CSF partner programs in the country, which cumulatively assist almost 29,000 low-income children every year. Since 1998, the lives of 96,000 children across the United States have been changed for the better by CSF scholarships worth $315 million.

Families of greater financial means may already have “school choice.” They might move to a neighborhood with a public school they want their children to attend, or perhaps they can pay for private or parochial school tuition.

Those options are commonly out of the reach of lower-income families. Despite their willingness to do what it takes to get their children the best education they can, lower-income parents may find their children trapped in neighborhood public schools that, for many reasons, do not meet their kids’ needs.

CSF-Portland has an eleven-year track record of demonstrating that lower-income Oregon parents want to take charge of their children’s futures through educational opportunity, and, when given a choice, they do so.

While their financial means are limited, CSF-Portland parents are knowledgeable and determined to make any sacrifice to raise their children to be educated, responsible, productive and respectful citizens capable of giving to others now and in adulthood.

CSF-Portland believes that parental involvement in the education of children is a critical element of educational success. Therefore, a CSF-Portland scholarship is a “hand up,” not a “hand-out.” CSF-Portland is a partnership with parents, who demonstrate their commitment to and involvement with their children’s education by paying, on average, at least half of tuition themselves. By directly investing in the education of their children, parents affirm their vital stake in that education and participate more fully in their children’s educational future. When parents become involved in making their own choices regarding their children’s education, and make financial sacrifices to realize their goals, their relationship with teachers and administrators is strengthened, with positive results for the students, family, school and community.

The need and desire for meaningful educational choice in Oregon is great. When CSF-Portland was inaugurated in 1999, the parents of 6,639 Portland-area children applied for 550 available scholarships. CSF-Portland regularly receives inquiries from lower-income parents wanting to place or keep their children in the private schools that fit their academic and social needs.

We have given nearly 650 Oregon students a “hand up” since 1999, and we are seeking additional funding to enable us to award scholarships to even more students.

Sholarship Awards

The average K-8 scholarship award for the 2009-2010 school year is about $1,700. The average K-8 tuition amount paid by families per child is also about $1,700. The average family income is currently about $36,000.

 

Making a Gift - Giving an Oregon Child a “Hand Up”Through a Quality Education

Your gift to CSF-Portland is matched by the national Children’s Scholarship Fund in New York, multiplying the impact of all funds raised by CSF-Portland. CSF matches your donation 100% if applied to students accepted before 2009 and 33% if applied to students accepted in 2009 or after.

CSF-Portland is supported solely by private donations made to Cascade Policy Institute for the explicit purpose of providing CSF-Portland scholarships. To direct your gift to CSF-Portland, please make your donation payable to Cascade Policy Institute, with the memo “CSF-Portland.”

A gift for CSF-Portland is tax-deductible, just like any donation to Cascade Policy Institute. Your gift will be used 100% for scholarships for needy children. Administrative overhead for the program is raised separately.

If you have any questions, or for more information, please contact Kathryn Hickok.

 

Application Information

CSF-Portland is entirely privately funded, and we depend on our donors’ generosity. Our first priority is always to renew scholarship awards to children already in the program. We award scholarships to new students as funding is available.

We are keeping a waiting list for new students for the 2010-2011 school year. Families must be Oregon residents. (If you are not an Oregon resident, check the CSF website for the program closest to you.) Please check the income scale below for eligibility.

To place your child(ren) on the CSF-Portland waiting list, please e-mail Kathryn Hickok. We need your (parent or guardian’s) name and mailing address, phone number, the ages of your children, the name of the school they currently attend, and the name of the private school you would like them to attend (if you have chosen one).

If you do not wish to use e-mail, call Kathryn at (503) 242-0900 extension 105 or write to her at:

Children’s Scholarship Fund-Portland
4850 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Ste. 103
Portland, OR 97225 

2009-2010 Income Eligibility Scale

 

Contact

Kathryn Hickok is director of the Children’s Scholarship Fund-Portland.

For more information about applying for a scholarship or to make a gift to CSF-Portland, please contact Kathryn Hickok.

 

Interviews

 

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Testimony

“I have never written to you before, but year after year I have appreciated the assistance provided by the Children’s Scholarship Fund for the ___ children. Life is better for them because of your help. It is always the hope that education will break cycles of dependence. I believe that is happening for these children. Their teachers have commented on each student’s progress, and they are receiving additional attention due to our smaller class sizes and the teachers’ passion for each individual.”
— Jim, principal

“I hope you will pass my appreciation along to the appropriate people and let them know the scholarships make a difference in the lives of families, communities and schools.”
— Cynthia, parent

“Our family thanks you so much for this wonderful gift you have given us. It has truly been a dream come true to send our children to the school of our choice, and your donations have made that possible. We are a one-income family, and would struggle without your gifts. Thanks from our family, we know that God will bless you back for your kindness to us.”
— Shirley, parent

“You cannot compare the education and numerous opportunities at private school compared to public school. One daughter went through public school K-6th grade and transferred to Catholic school 7th-8th grades. She had to work twice as hard just to get ‘C’s,’ while my daughter who went K-8th has maintained ‘A’ honor roll through 10th grade.”
— Susan, parent

“We don’t have any amazing stories to tell of life changes in our kids, because we found out about the Children’s Scholarship Fund right when our oldest was entering Kindergarten. So we have never dealt with the public school education or effects that it has had on our kids. I guess that would be a great place to start and an amazing story of sorts….If it wasn’t for this program I am afraid we would not have had this great opportunity. The education is great. My kids are part of a small school, which I love, (my son currently has 14 kids in his class) and they are having chances to do things that they wouldn’t in a big school.”
— Amy, parent

“As Sophia’s teacher, I want to assure your donors that this child would not be where she is today without their assistance and care.

We have a Montessori classroom that is located within an assisted living facility….Our classroom offers a unique opportunity for senior residents and young children to enjoy the benefits of an intergenerational experience together in the same building. For the one girl that has been attending our school through the CSF-P scholarship, this experience has been very profound….

“Sophia has learned a deep respect for the residents, their frailties and handicaps. She is always very courteous to them and makes them feel welcome in our classroom. She has earned a smile and fond heart from every resident in the building. She has developed a wonderful sense of compassion and understanding of the elderly. Many of our children have wonderful relationships with the residents, but, for Sophia, I see the experience as being particularly meaningful. If there ever was a child that needed that unconditional grandma kind of love, it is Sophia. And, what is more meaningful is that she has found a way to give back to them with all her heart. These relationships have permanently boosted her self-esteem. Now, she often reads to the residents that have macular degeneration!

“I hope that I will have more children through the program that can take advantage of our Intergenerational Program….Thank you for giving Sophia such a rich and lasting opportunity.”
— Catherine, teacher

“Without CSF my youngster would have been unable to [attend] this small alternative school which accepts those unable to succeed in all other educational programs available. Thank you.”
— Rochelle, parent

“I chose Maimonides Jewish Day School because we are Jews living in Oregon. Both my husband and I are native Oregonians, Jews. It isn’t easy to be different, and to do it well.

“Because of physiological problems that emerged with my little ones, they both required surgery. One had problems related to her physical issues, that required continued effort on the part of teachers and staff. I doubt if public schools would have the time or compassion to deal with such intense long term issues.

“I would like to thank all of your donors for their love and generosity to my children, and our family. It is not easy to raise children well, and you care enough about people you don’t know, to do something.”
— Mary, parent

“Our school is very diverse, ethnically, economically and religiously. We embrace, respect and celebrate this diversity. Our students thrive in this safe and positive environment. Uniforms ‘level the playing field’ and help students focus on school. High academic and behavioral expectations are set for all of our students. Our teachers know their students and communicate with families when work is missing or there are problems. Our school’s test scores are above the national average, and 96% of our population goes on to graduate from high school compared to the neighborhood rate of 76% and the African American rate of 50%.

“Your generosity has provided a wonderful opportunity for parents to have a choice in their children’s education. Thank you again for your support in the past. We hope you will be able to continue this generous assistance for families in the future.”
— The Staff of Holy Redeemer Catholic School

“Thank you very much for the generous tuition assistance you have provided four of our students over the past years. We have seen these four students grow and mature academically, spiritually, physically and socially…..

“The average test score for the four…Children’s Scholarship Fund students on a nationally normed test taken at the end of last school year ranks them in the 77th percentile….It is my belief that the students showed such a high level of achievement because they were provided with a learning environment that challenged and encouraged them to do their best. This would not have been possible without the financial assistance provided them through Children’s Scholarship Fund-Portland.”
— Pam, principal

 

More Sites of Interest

Please note that views expressed on other organizations’ websites are not necessarily those of Cascade Policy Institute, the Children’s Scholarship Fund, or their employees.

Scholarship Program Websites

School Choice Movement, Research, and News

Alternative, Private, and Parochial Schools: Success Stories

Private and Parochial Schools in Oregon

Home Education

Education Resources

  • Education Bug - Education Directory - features articles, directories, newsletter, and profiles on schools

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Cascade Policy Institute
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phone: 503.242.0900
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