Veritas School

26288 Northeast Bell Road

Newberg, OR 97132

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 09, 2021

Veritas promotes it cultivates wisdom, virtue and godliness, but the Administration and Board do not follow what they are promoting. Money is the only thing that matters to them when it comes down to it. They do not lead by example. The customer service is horribly lacking, very unprofessional once you decide not to have your child attend. I would never recommend this school to anyone. Younger children tend to have problems with Anxiety, it is a problem in the younger grades.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2020

My two children have been at Veritas for 5+ years, and we love it! They are in such capable hands that we trust they will continue to grow and thrive. They have developed a deep love for science and art, friendships that will last a lifetime, capabilities in reading and writing that deeply impress me (as a former English teacher), as well as a heart to serve others. Thank you, Veritas!
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2020

Overall, we want to stay at Veritas for as long as we can. It is a wonderful school and my children have grown tremendously - academically, spiritually, and intellectually.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2018

Veritas does an excellent job balancing high academic expectations, a loving and nurturing faculty, and a Christ-centered school culture. Classical education is not a good match for every student or every family, but it's an excellent choice for families who want their kids to grow. The negative reviews here surprise me, although I'm pretty sure I know the background situations behind some of them. I know that some families have felt frustrated when the leadership here has decided to maintain the original Veritas mission rather than change it when these families have suggested changes, but that seems to be a point in favor rather than against.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2017

Administration is not forthright with parents, and the result is a school that is failing. With a never ending building project, underpaid teachers, and a philosophy that frequently ignores it's own established policies - this is a school with a future that is VERY uncertain.
Submitted by other on January 18, 2017

I graduated from Veritas a couple years back, and look at me! I turned out alright!I think those Negative Nellies saying stuff like "the teachers don't listen to my brilliant ideas" might not understand that their ideas maybe aren't all that brilliant? Plus, these teachers probably know what they're doing. I mean, it's a school after all. And they have sheets of paper which back that up. Give the teachers the benefit of the doubt if you have doubts. We turn out darned well compared to the rest of the people I've seen throughout college -- we're different.Notice that I spelled all the words correctly. I became a word-spellin' machine in the first grade there! Love them words!
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2015

While we experienced many blessings being at Veritas were very disappointed in the administration. We watched 2 of the most awesome teachers have their contracts not renewed because their kids did not attend Veritas. Both of these teachers were replaced with people with family connections in the school. Both of these new teachers do not meet the excellence the school advertises. The feeling is the school is constantly looking for donations but has no interest in parent input. When I had a concern about my young elementary child I was met with defensiveness from the teacher and the phrase, "well your child does not pay attention". No plan was offered to help. I am the parent not the teacher, I was asking for guidance to help from the professional so we could work as a team to benefit my child. I pay the school to educate my child I was amazed at how much they want you to teach your child. To clarify some of the teachers were amazing and did not require more than the average homework and they taught the children very well. I have NO problem doing helping with homework and listening to them read, and working on projects to support the teachers work in the classroom. I work full time to pay tuition and was disappointed to have a teacher tell me I was not doing enough at home. I was also surprised to find some of the behavior allowed while the children were in line going from one class to another. I was told that they are allowed to talk and visit even when that means they are not paying attention to the teacher. Respecting an adult is an important lesson.They also want to fit your child into a box that tests well. If your child does not then it is suggested they go somewhere else. This helps bring the school test rating up but discarding the less than perfect students seriously limits the growth of the school. Why do they offer hefty tuition credits to existing families to find new students and get them enrolled? Word of mouth is not enough?As I started this rating, our experience is NOT all bad. Some of the teachers we worked with were amazing! The office staff gals are caring, loving and supportive. The headmaster for the elementary is great with the kids and, I believe, truly cares. We love so many of the people here. Overall the curriculum is sound, the music program awesome.
Submitted by student on May 08, 2015

To a previous reviewer who asked why Veritas needs a marketing department: because it's a small private school in a small town that will most likely only be known as home of wine country and possibly George Fox; because yes, Veritas does rely on donational and volunteer support for its survival. How is this at all bad? We all thank those who make Veritas possible through their caring donations, volunteering, and other support, for they have thanked God for blessing them with abundance by seeing fit to bless others as well. Well, the afore mentioned reviewer says that the marketing department exists to hide all the bad reviews, to sweep all the bad stuff under the rug. It exists rather to show the world Veritas's virtues in spite of reviewers who simply take joy in lashing out and trying to catch Veritas red-handed, implicating her of many crimes often on evidence which is simply at ends with the experience of the majority at Veritas. The world has already heard enough bad about Veritas from reviewers, so it is the job of the marketers (criticized more) to make sure the truth of the good gets out as well, since no one honestly pays as much attention to good reviews as to bad.
Submitted by student on May 07, 2015

I have been going to this school for 9 years and I am now a senior. The school has not only taught us virtue and godliness, but how to be virtuous and godly with flexibility and open mindedness while interacting with everyday issues in the world. We're given a broad and all-encompassing education in order that the individual gifts in each of us may be best expressed. When my family and I first joined the Veritas family, we were immediately welcomed with open arms. Nine years later, not only my class but all the highschool has become my family, and the teachers my caring mentors. Out of all the extracurriculars, our concert choir (currently state champions) has 75% of our whole high school which shows our love for teamwork, expression, and glorifying God through music. Seeing these negative reviews makes me sad because it is not at all consistent with my nine years here at Veritas and I know all my peers would say the same.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2015

My kids attended Veritas when I taught there. There are good people at the school, but the administration is very difficult. There is ONE way to do things. For a Christian school, the arrogance and lack of grace in the administration is appalling. There is a marked difference in the way that they treat parents with money/connections. The admin. interprets classical in the most uncreative manner possible. Teachers are encouraged to go for a particular "look" over good teaching. Students should sit in rows and work on seat work. Students are all expected to fit in a very narrow "box" and many students will not fit that box. Students are encouraged to behave well outwardly for the public view, but there is not a lot of encouragement to develop real, inward kindness, or self-control. There is a LOT of homework. Worse, the school is masterful at making parents feel as if they have no other options and will damage their students if they leave; that "no one else has a problem with this; and that *any* concerns are "gossip" and not to be tolerated. (IMO, this whole way of delegitimizing parents leaves the school ripe for long-term abuse.)
Submitted by teacher on April 01, 2015

I think it's rather sad that, from what we can tell, the negative reviews are being written by the same couple parents...who still have their children at Veritas. If this school is really that bad for your kids, then please find a place that's right for your family. We've never said that Veritas is perfect - and we've never said it's the best school for every child. Obviously, you feel it's not right for yours. We're sorry if that's the case, but then isn't it your choice to stay or go?
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2015

Warning the marketing department of Vertias does not want you to read all the reviews here. That is why they keep adding good reviews to the top. These reviews are from basically the same people - the marketing department. You need to ask yourself why such a small school needs a marketing department. Don t be fooled read all the reviews here. If you visit the school make sure you ask about teacher turnover and don t just settle for an it s very low here answer, look at their past yearbooks you will see. Also make sure you read the fine print on Tuition Obligation. If you sign your child up for Veritas for the next year, then you learn during the summer the school board has voted to not let parents vote for school board members anymore, and you decide you no longer want your child at Veritas, you are on the hook for 50% of the year s tuition even before the school year has started. By September 15 you are on the hook for 100% of the year s tuition when you have only been there for 2 weeks. They will go after you for the money, best thing to do is not sign your child up for Veritas.
Submitted by principal on February 05, 2015

At Veritas, we seek to challenge students individually at all levels and teach them how to learn by using the well-proven classical method. Veritas School's mission is to cultivate wisdom, virtue and godliness by providing an excellent, Christ-centered classical education. A Veritas education begins by nurturing a child s natural sense of wonder and developing it into the intellectual curiosity of a graduate who is prepared to engage the world with purpose and confidence. Veritas is committed to providing a classical education where students acquire the tools of learning that will lead them to become lifelong learners. Veritas School acknowledges that all life, knowledge and meaning extend from our Creator. This approach requires that all subjects, whether history, art, music, mathematics or science be taught with God at the core. At Veritas, Jesus isn t just present or prominent - He is preeminent. This reality impacts life in the classroom. I would encourage you to visit Veritas School and see for yourself what makes us so different.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2014

The comments about the board and Administration that others have posted are highly over exaggerated. Our family has been at Veritas for a long time, and I can honestly say that I have dealt with, or know all of these people well enough to say that they operate in a prayerful manner and always with integrity. They care about the Veritas community as a whole, which makes it more like a family than a school. Our family has been so blessed by this school, by the way it operates and by the topnotch teaching. I would encourage anyone who is interested to take a look for yourself.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2014

I will keep it brief. No school is perfect. Veritas, however, manages to consistently provide a high quality Christian education, with a high quality academic education, at a price level that normal people can afford if they make the hard choices. The issues and faces have changed over the years, but the people that make Veritas happen have succeeded year after year now in keeping and growing the school. Are things not perfect in all areas, and not perfect for all people. Of course. It does not take much work to find problems in anything, what it does take work and blessing to do, is to build an institution that consistently produces results. Veritas has served our family very well. If you are making plans for your child/teenager and want a Christian and academically challenging education at a very reasonable price point, then Veritas should be in your top 3 to look at, and really deserves an in person visit.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2014

Mostly 4 & 5-star teachers. 2-star administration. We have two current K-6 students. Useful insider info: (1) Tuition is 50% non-refundable after Aug. 1st and 100% after Sept 15th. (2) Teacher contracts are not offered until spring, so the teacher you preview may not be the teacher your child has. We experienced this twice, once with unacceptable results. (3) No hard class-size cap exists, nor a policy to provide aides for classes over the recommended maximum of 20 (K-6) and 22 (7-12). Three K-6 classes currently exceed 20 students. (4) Parents have no power to hold the school accountable. After the May 2014 election, which ended in a tie, the Board changed the school bylaws so that it now selects all future members. The administration generally responds to parental input with lip service and little to no action. (5) The bargain price relies heavily on parent volunteers, i.e. no paid janitors or recess aides, minimal class aides, carpools for ALL field trips. Volunteering a lot has no effect on the school s receptivity to a parent s input, dampening parental enthusiasm to volunteer. In sum: Generally strong academics, frustratingly inflexible administration.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2014

Anyone thinking about Veritas for their children will find a highly supportive, first rate school with a strong classical program methodology that challenges students to academic heights as seen in their national test scores and numbers of national merit scholars. Moreover, Veritas mission cultivates a strong Christian foundation and character growth in their students which paves the way for their future in knowing how to think and above all else knowing that God is the giver of all. There are few decisions that have a lasting impact on life and one is the choice of school we made for our two boys. The administration, faculty, and staff have positive relationships and a sincere model of respect for one another at Veritas. This in turn is cultivated and carried out by the students who reciprocate the same respect back to the teachers and among each other as well. There is a strong culture of honor and respect for one another from the elementary grades to the high school. Hence, there is more valuable and quality academic time spent in educating the students. (Continued below)
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2014

There is a very high rate of teacher turnover in elementary. They require all school age children of teachers and staff to attend Veritas, this has contributed greatly to the turnover and decline in quality of the elementary school. They have fallen into a trap of worshiping the school and even classical Christian education instead of having faith in God and his goodness, power, and promises. Why manipulate your staff and faculty if that is not where God is calling them to be?
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2014

Veritas School provides the kind of world-class education every child needs. The teachers, administration, staff and most definitely the Board, have the heart of Veritas in mind. Their goal is to not only provide the best Christian education there is but it is also to ensure that the school lives on for generations of students! If you are looking for a perfect school with no flaws, then I wish you the best of luck. But if you are looking for a place where your child can learn, be valued as an individual and learn from teachers that care about them then you should consider Veritas.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2014

Agree with another reviewer, sr. administration & school board are elitist. At any school, there will be things that could use improvement. If a parent has input at Veritas: it is not valued, nor welcomed & rarely considered. You quickly find out the board / administration is "my way or the highway", which has lead to a great deal of teacher turn over in the elementary school. They will tell you that the amount of turnover is normal and teacher tenure school-wide averages 10 years. If you're considering K-4, be sure you ask for tenure figures for the teacher in the specific grade: how long have they been teaching that grade at Veritas & you quickly find out about turnover. This is not a reflection on the lower school headmaster, who appears to have no authority (but should have a good deal more), but rather sr. administration / board members. If you are considering middle or high school, the other reviews of children that graduated are probably very appropriate. The middle & high school teachers are largely unchanged. The current elementary school has vastly different teaching staff from the 8+ years ago that their kids were there. I have current elementary students.