About Us
Agia Sophia Academy is an Orthodox Christian school in Beaverton, Oregon, serving students from Montessori preschool through 8th grade since 2004.
Our Mission
Agia Sophia Academy educates the whole child by providing a rich academic and arts curriculum, grounded in Orthodox Christian values, while fostering love of learning, personal responsibility and respect for each person.
Our Goals
✓To offer academic excellence in a safe and nurturing environment.
✓To teach students “how to learn” as well as “what to learn.”
✓To cultivate a life-long love of learning in our students.
✓To act as an extension of the parental role of educating the child.
✓To further form character in our students so they will become productive and good members of our communities.
✓To draw families more fully into the life of the Church.
✓To honor God and educate others in the Faith.
What is a classical education?
If you’ve heard of “classical education,” you may think immediately of academic rigor, Latin, and memorization, or perhaps the trivium. These things have their place at ASA, but the primary and crucial meaning of “classical education” for us is education that aims much higher than any test or transcript. It is education that forms and feeds the humanity of our students through that which is good, true, and beautiful—in which they will recognize Christ, the Logos and the Holy Wisdom Who is our namesake. This is the why of classical education, without which nothing else matters.
In the service of that end, we do study grammar, Latin, logic, rhetoric, math, history, science, music, art, and more. We read what are often called the “Great Books” and engage with the “Great Conversation”—the canon of texts and the great ideas therein which begin in the ancient world, were brought to fulfillment by Christianity, and are our inheritance even today: the fruit of the best of the human experience. We build an impressive transcript, but not merely for the purpose of impressing; rather, this is how we shape and form our minds, hearts, souls, and even bodies to recognize and grasp that which is good, true, and beautiful.
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33
Our Vision
Our Vision is to develop and sustain a Pan-Orthodox, Preschool through 8th Grade, faith-based, private educational ministry in the Portland area, so that our rich educational inheritance is transmitted to our children for the glory of God and the benefit of their/our souls.
What does “Agia Sophia” mean?
Agia Sophia – The Holy Wisdom of Christ
Schools and churches who bear the name Agia Sophia celebrate on the Feast of Mid-Pentecost, which is the fourth Wednesday after the Feast of Holy Pascha.
At the mid-point of the feast, O Savior, water my thirsty soul with streams of true devotion; for You cried out to all, "Any who thirst, let them come to Me, and let them drink!" O Source of life, Christ our God, glory to You!
~ Troparion of ASA
2004
Founded
28
Students in our first year
Preschool–8th
Grades served
Our History
Agia Sophia Academy first opened in September 2004. The school was organized by Orthodox Christian families and clergy in the Portland area who were interested in creating a place with rigorous academic standards and enriching specialty subject areas taught in the context of Orthodox Christian faith and teachings. ASA seeks to partner with parents in reinforcing the values taught at home and equipping the children with tools necessary for facing today’s challenging world. ASA is proof that strong values and a nurturing staff provide the perfect environment for children to flourish in their academic studies.
During the first year, twenty-eight children were enrolled at Agia Sophia Academy. Today, the school offers a Montessori preschool and Kindergarten as well as 1st through 8th grade. The staff and board have worked hard to ensure that the school continues to make wise curriculum choices, attract skilled teachers and respond to the needs and challenges of 21st century parents. Agia Sophia is located in Beaverton, Oregon at the facility of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.
Agia Sophia Academy is not a line item on any parish budget. Our funding comes from tuition, gifts from friends of ASA, foundations and grants. Through the prayers and continued support of ASA families, board members and donors, the school will continue to grow. Plans for the future include building a school and supporting facilities with designated space for each specialty subject. Our work is to establish a solid foundation so that Agia Sophia Academy will be here to educate our children’s children and generations to come.