Catlin Gabel is Portland’s nationally recognized progressive independent day school where teachers build transforming relationships with each student, honoring each child’s innate capacities, encouraging exploration, welcoming questions, and always presenting new intellectual and creative challenges to our young scientists, storytellers, artists, and athletes. This combination of rich content and catalytic method forms bold learners who become insightful questioners, responsible thinkers, and inspired action-takers for life.

Mission

Catlin Gabel supports inspired learning leading to responsible action through dedicated teaching, caring relationships, a challenging curriculum, and community service. We value each person’s effort, imagination, and positive contributions to the community. We celebrate being inclusive and the partnership between family and school.

Students

Total school population: 730 (48% boys, 52% girls).

Beginning School 58, Lower School 203, Middle School 182, Upper School 290.

25% of the students identify as people of color.

Students come from all parts of Portland, and from as far north as Battle Ground to as far south as Aurora.

Teachers

Overall student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.

Lark P. Palma, Ph.D., has been head of Catlin Gabel since 1995. She earned a doctorate in twentieth-century British literature and women’s studies while teaching at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. Her passion is in providing an exceptional learning environment by encouraging personal and academic connections between students and teachers.

74% of faculty members hold advanced degrees; all participate in ongoing professional development.

Three-time recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and Science.

Curriculum

Students learn to think, write, and speak critically and independently. Enriched curriculum combines experiential learning with the arts, English, history and social studies, math, science, modern languages, physical education, and computer science. Each child is known and appreciated as an individual.

13 specialists teach visual arts, theater, and music offering over 30 arts classes.

Four years of advanced computer science courses.

Advanced honors courses in biology, chemistry, and physics, with 70% of seniors pursuing advanced science courses. 90% of seniors pursuing advanced math, culminating in Calculus 2.

High school students serve on board of trustee committees. Opportunities are available for student leadership in community service, athletics, performing arts, robotics, publications (yearbook, literary magazine, student newspaper), Model U.N., mock trials, and others.

Language learning for all students begins in 1st grade in Spanish, Chinese, or French.

College Placement

More than 80% score above 1200 on the combined SAT, and 30% score over 1400, the highest scores in the state.

Median AP test score is 5, the highest possible score.

100% admitted to college.

More than 75% attend the most selective U.S. colleges and universities.

More than 20% are National Merit semifinalists or commended scholars.

Campus

54-acre wooded campus with 4 soccer fields, a state-of-the-art track, 2 outdoor tennis courts, 2 indoor tennis courts, fully equipped gym and weight room. Each division has its own area, and common areas include the Cabell Center (theater), the Barn (cafeteria), the Paddock, an apple orchard, and a fir grove.

Five miles west of downtown Portland (next to St. Vincent Hospital).

Tuition and Financial Aid

2010–11 Tuition

About 28% of the student body receives financial aid and tuition remission.

$3 million awarded in 2009-10 in financial assistance.

Athletics

Athletic teams include cross country, soccer, volleyball (girls), basketball, racquetball, baseball, golf, tennis, and track and field. Our teams have won numerous state championships and regularly compete in league, district, and state playoffs. The Catlin Gabel Eagles have been awarded the OSAA All-Sports Award for seven consecutive years, an award given to the school with the strongest record in all sports combined.

The athletics program is open to all Middle and Upper School students and features a "no cut" policy with the exception of varsity-level teams. Student athletes, teams, and coaches have been honored nationally and statewide as state champions, All-Americans, coaches of the year, and players of the year, and have received  all-state and district honors.

Community Service

Community service is a key component of Catlin Gabel culture. Upper School students are required to donate 15 hours a year of community service, Middle School students take part in a monthly service program, and students in all grades participate in class service projects.

Finances

Annual budget: $15 million

Endowment: $17 million

History

1957 - Catlin Hillside School and Gabel Country Day School merged to become Catlin Gabel School. (Gabel Country Day's roots date back to 1859 and the Portland Academy. Catlin Hillside School originated as Miss Catlin's School in 1911.)

Pine Tree Logo

The pine tree was chosen to represent the tree of individual life growing upward and outward into the expanding circle of human fellowship.

School Policy

Catlin Gabel is independently governed by a board of trustees and is not supported by tax or church monies. Financing is solely through tuition and contributions.

Catlin Gabel does not discriminate on the basis of physical handicap, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, or gender in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, or other school programs. It affords all students the rights, privileges, and social, academic, and athletic opportunities that are available at the school.