Ambitious new Christian high school debuts this fall in Tualatin

    TUALATIN – An ambitious new Christian high school is appearing on the horizon in the southwest Portland metro area. It is appropriately called Hori-zon Christian High School, which will open to ninth, 10th and 11th graders (freshmen, sophomore, junior) beginning Monday, Sept. 18.
    Horizon Christian High will be located on 43 acres of property, with an option to purchase five more acres, just south of Tualatin High School at Norwood and Boones Ferry Road, on the west edge of Interstate 5. Its first academic building, under construction the past year, will be ready in September with 48,984 square-feet of space for 12 classrooms, two commons areas, a kitchen, gym, and nine offices. The $750,000 structure will accommodate some 250 students.
    Some 60 students have already enrolled for this fall and will be joined by junior high students from Community Christian School, formerly housed at Grace Community Church on the east side of Tualatin.
    George Crace, longtime successful high school football coach, will wear many hats for Horizon Christian High as principal, athletic director, and head football coach.. Crace, who has a 114-98 win-loss record at David Douglas, West Linn, and Wilsonville high schools, also hopes to take Horizon to the pinnacle of Oregon’s prep athletic hierarchy.
    He told the Portland Tribune the new school’s motto is to “build scholars and champions.” Three specifics will be emphasized: Head, heart, and hands. The school’s core value is commitment to seeing young men and women grow to be informed citizens empowered by Christ.
    While it will take time to develop, Crace expects the school to be as competitive in athletics as any school in the state. Already the Horizon Hawks have a six-game 3A division football schedule under the Oregon School Activities Association this fall. Basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and track also will be offered in 2006-07.
    As for the school’s master plan, a complete built-out campus will take several years to fulfill with total estimated cost of $25 million to $30 million. Two capital campaigns have already been held, raising $4 million plus other transactions and major donations.
    There will be 20 acres of sports fields and facilities, including practice and competitive fields. The three proposed buildings on campus will include gyms and locker rooms. A future athletic center will add more facilities.
In addition to the first classroom building completed this fall, a proposed multipurpose building of 29,242 square foot will contain 13 classrooms, covered play areas, reception area and school offices.
    A third structure in the future, a central building with 45,626 square feet, will have classrooms for music, video, multi-media instruction, and two gym floors seating 2,200 people.
    Horizon Christian High is an outgrowth of Grace Community Church, a congregation of 1,200 at 7406 S.W. Sagert St. in Tualatin, affiliated with the Assemblies of God. For more than 20 years it has maintained Community Christian School, providing families in the southwest metro area with a Christ-centered educational program for younger grades.The pre-school, elementary and middle school has been sharing its campus with the church, making the best stewardship possible with dual usage of facilities that are rarely empty.
    For more information on Horizon Christian High School, phone 503-612-6688 or go to www.horizoncampus.com.