In the summer of 1903, work was begun on the “Woodburn Convent School” to be operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel. On October 4, 1903, the doors were opened to admit 31 pupils. The enrollment that first year reached 63. Archbishop Alexander Christie dedicated St. Benedict’s School on October 11, 1903.

Enrollment at the school increased with the growth of the parish and community, showing a definite increase even during the turbulence of the early 20’s. For the school year of the 1936-37, it reached 137 and in the fall of 1937, a fourth class room was opened. The sisters moved from their quarters in the school building to a rented house across Third Street.

Land was acquired as the parish celebrated it’s 50th Jubilee year, and plans were finalized for a new school building. The cornerstone was laid on May 21, 1950, and the building was ready for classes to begin on September 12th. On October 15, 1950, Archbishop Edward D. Howard dedicated the new school. Enrollment in 1949 was over 200. It continued to rise and by 1957, all eight classrooms were in operation.

On March 10, 1973 fire destroyed the entire classroom area of the school. For the remainder of the year, classes met in the Knights of Columbus Hall, the Parish Hall, and in classrooms in the First Presbyterian Church. Work began on March 16th to rebuild the school with addition of one classroom and a multi-purpose room for the parish and school.

Fall term found the primary grades housed in the church of God, now Woodburn Community Center. On January 20, 1974, Archbishop Robert Dwyer blessed the newly rebuilt St. Luke’s School.

In 1979 a Kindergarten was opened. After the completion of Rubis Hall in 1986, the multipurpose room became the library and media center for the school and the former library was remodeled for the Kindergarten.

St. Luke’s Foundation was incorporated in 1980 to guarantee stable founding for the school. Since 1994 Miracles in Motion, the annual pledge drive, has contributed more than $200,000.00 toward fulfilling the commitment made by the parents of St. Luke’s Parish in 1903.

Enrollment in the 1998-1999 classes is 184. St. Luke’s School is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Education Association.