Ensuring access for the diverse student population at the west side’s oldest high school is key to eliminating educational and participation barriers, say parents and fund leaders
(Beaverton, Ore.) – An extraordinary $1.8 million donation just landed with the Beaverton High School Success Fund by a former graduate who is now a global financial leader and influencer. The funds will be used to increase scholarship funds as well as grow engagement opportunities for students.
Anne Erwin, Ph.D., principal at Beaverton High School (BHS), acknowledged the generous donation and said, “Our partnership with the Success Fund supports us in our continuing efforts to inspire every student to prepare for their future, succeed academically, and participate actively in athletics and activities.” Erwin noted the fund previously offered $30,000 for student scholarships but this donation increases scholarship availability to five times that amount to $150,000.
Added Dr. Erwin, “This funding will also help underwrite some costs students previously incurred. Our goal is to move toward becoming a fee-free and fee-friendly school by fully paying the participation and program fees for students in our band, choir, drama and cheer activities and subsidizing half of the fee for each student athlete.” Support provided by this donation means these expenses also will now be fully waived:
- ASB student participation fees allowing entrance to athletic events, dances and plays
- Art and theatre classes’ participation fees
“Educators at BHS will also benefit from this infusion of resources and will use these new dollars to create deeper learning experiences and educational opportunities,” Principal Erwin said. According to the board of directors for BHSSF, this support funded will be gifted to students and teachers over the next four to five academic years.
“I’ve been blessed with a fantastic primary and secondary education, which started in the Beaverton School District at Beaverton High,” said the donor and longtime BHS supporter and alumnus, Scott Shleifer. “It prepared me to succeed as I studied global economics at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Returning my support to today’s students is important for their current and future success. This donation is about creating opportunities to enhance access and affordability for school services and activities so we can build this generation of engaged future professionals and leaders.”
Shleifer joined The Blackstone Group as a private equity investor in the late 1990s and is now a partner at Tiger Global Management, an investor firm that invests in public and private companies in the software, financial technology and consumer spaces.
“We are very excited about Scott’s donation and the impact it will have on Beaverton High School. We hope that this will motivate other parents and alumni to offer their financial support for BHS to truly help make a positive impact that allows BHS to help prepare all students for their future possibilities,” said BHSSF board chair Jon Caplan who is a marketing manager at Intel in Hillsboro.
About the Beaverton High School Success Fund
The BHSSF is volunteer-led nonprofit organization with the mission to support academics, services and activities of the high school’s current and future students and staff. The fund is designed to improve the educational experience at Beaverton High, beyond the normal funding provided by the school district. Through private donations, the Success Fund works to make a positive, meaningful impact on the lives of all Beaverton High students by fostering greater opportunities to learn, explore, discover and succeed.
