“My teachers and the other loving staff and volunteers at Pilgrim gave me great role models as adults. They lived out a strong sense of vocation and calling. Especially as I look back on my Pilgrim teachers, I am struck by how deep their sense of calling was to education, Pilgrim, and sharing their faith. I don't think it's any accident that I sought to find a similar sense of calling in my own life.”

“It goes without saying that small class sizes allowed individual attention that was priceless. Each student got special attention, and lessons were often tailored to individual needs. Pilgrim taught me 1) how to trust and interact respectfully with adults and 2) that adults were approachable, kind, genuinely had my best interests at heart, and wanted to help me learn.” 

“Pilgrim has lots of extracurricular opportunities. Because it was a smaller school, there was room for my classmates and me to get involved in lots of ways, and I think we're all richer for that breadth of experience. I particularly love music, and Pilgrim is where I started playing the oboe (I played through college and even got to travel to China with the Wind Ensemble at Pacific Lutheran University and play on the Great Wall!).”

“PLS prepared me for high school by giving me a solid background in all of the core subjects and a quiet confidence in myself.  My academic transition from middle school to high school was practically seamless.  In addition, because I was able to participate in so many activities while at Pilgrim, I was not afraid to get involved in my high school.  Without the solid foundation I received at Pilgrim, I would probably not be where I am today.”

“My favorite memory at Pilgrim was the Lutheran Elementary School Tournament (L.E.S.T.). I could really start to see how my education from Pilgrim was solid and could hold up in competition with other schools.” 

“I came to Pilgrim as a new student in January of my eighth grade year. I was very hesitant about the remainder of my year because of the new environment. But, my fears all subsided when I joined the class and everybody greeted me with open arms. Pilgrim gave me the opportunities to explore the things I really loved to do, and I felt that I could do all of those things not only in God's image, but I could do all of those things and not feel embarrassed to do so. Pilgrim gave me a faith and a trust in people that I have never found anywhere else. If I did not have Pilgrim Lutheran in my life, I would not be who I am today, and I credit them with all of my successes.”

"Our daughter placed 2nd in Beaverton School District vocal competition. She will be competing at state in April. We are so proud of her and we are grateful she was able to get such an incredible amount of support and confidence from Pilgrim. We know preparation for L.E.S.T. helped to prepare her for all the vocal performances she has had since. Thank you all very much for always believing in her gift and helping her to seek out and strengthen it. She has also been accepted into the music education department at Kansas State University. She really wants a chance to perform on Broadway and then possibly be a vocal coach or come back to B.H.S. and take over the musical theatre department some day! Again, thank you for being a HUGE part of her musical growth."

                                          - Parents of 2008 graduate