Research Pacific Northwest Academy Private Schools in West Linn, Oregon

“We moved to Portland after 6 years outside the USA where we had great international schools. He first entered a good public school, but the large class size had him lose his lust for learning.At PNA we found small class sizes, flexible learning levels fantastic teachers and a great and supportive community where he could thrive! We are as happy as we thought we would be at OES or Catlin Gable, yet have a school much closer to our home. At PNA kids, of all levels support one another and look after each other, we think it is a great place!”

“Between our two children, our family has been a part ofthe PNA community for the past 9 years. PNA has been a wonderful environment in which both of our children have been able grow academically, socially, and emotionally. There is a very strong sense of community that ties the students, teachers, administration and parents together. Our older child grauated from PNA as a very confident, responsible, motivated, and respectful person. We fully expect our younger child to do the same. We know that after attending PNA, our children will be very well prepared for any other school that they attend in the future.”

“I had no idea a school could be this great. It is challeging my child in every way to be a better student and a better person. It is truely wonderful. I think what suprises me the most is my child loves the school and wants to be there and accept the challenges thrown his way. This from a child who was not doing well in pulic school and almost had to repeat the first greade. I have searched many schools and this the best one I have ever seen.”

“I have 2 children at PNA this year and have been part of the community for 2 years. I would not hesitate to recommend this school to another parent. My children are able to work to their individual academic level and are regularly encouraged to strive for higher achievement. The setting is both nuturing and academically challenging, a combination rarely found other places.”

“This is our daughter's 2nd year at PNA. She has grown by leaps and bounds academically. PNA's flexible program has allowed her to take math and literacy classes a grade up to keep her challenged. The small class size has enabled the teachers to customize her class and homework. She started out as a very shy child, but now is the first to volunteer for speaking parts at assemblies, taking part in school plays and holds her own in any setting. They have passionate and committed teachers who do an excellent job imparting leadership skills and discipline. My daughter looks forward to school every morning. We are lucky to have stumbled upon this gem of a school.”

“Whe are on our 7th year with this school. The academic results this school achieves are nothing short of amazing. The leadership skills, community service and global awareness and responsibility have positioned my children well for the future. I cannot believe how effective these people are at identifying and nurturing truly gifted children.”

“We are constantly hearing from stunned parents (not only friends, but complete strangers in public situations, like airports) who observe our children and can't believe how academically advanced, how poised and well-behaved and how confident they are. We credit a huge amount of that to the six years of nuturing and education they have received from the PNA staff and family community. When those parents walk away, we just look at each other and say 'Isn't it strange that kids behaving appropriately, loving their academic life and caring deeply about others without being forced to is seen as extraordinary to those people? Isn't that how a child's life is supposed to be?' PNA is how education is supposed to be. What happens in its classrooms is the most solid foundation we found for our children, and we are so glad we chose it for them.”

“This is an amazing gem of a school! It has a shabby exterior and it is located on a church campus (it isn't related) but what happens within the walls is amazing! My son's teacher brought him out of his shy shell and he is competing in public speaking during the monthly assemblies. I am so happy to have found this amazing place!”

“My daughter has attended Pacific Northwest Academy for the past six years (K through 5th grade). Not only has she excelled academically in math, language arts, and science, she has also learned Spanish (since Kindergarten), and technology, in stand alone classes. With the classes capped at 16 students, the teachers are free to teach to each child's individual level. Most importantly, the students learn that values and character matter. They are all called upon to work on service projects outside of the classroom, and public speaking, in front of a large group, begins in kindergarten. We are well pleased with our decision to enroll our daughter at PNA. The teachers and parents are an extended family of education.”

“A great learning experience for my 2 children. They have had the chance to grow both academically and socially, without the pressure of large public schools. I would recommend this experience for anyone disappointed with the public school system. The financial aid program also allows families like mine to receive the highest level of education without feeling out of place. Thanks for helping my children grow into the young adults they are today.”

“If your family is looking for an academic environment that focuses on your child's abilities and helps him/her reach their fullest potential, this is the school! The community is positive and close, with all the benefits of an extended family. The academics are excellent both in the lower and middle schools. The teachers are loving, committed and focused on the children -- it's just amazing! The extracurricular actives are varied -- drama, art, music, chess, lego robotics. Parent involvement is higher than the average school, because the parents are all working toward the same goal of making their child's educational experience as rich and fulfilling s possible...and parents WANT to be there. This school should be on your short-list when looking for schools.”

“An entire academic year wasted at this school! Be wary when touring this private school. Although it promises top academics and strong extracurricular activities, it falls short of this promise. In retrospect, we believe the strong sell from the current principal and former President of the school board was merely a plea to keep this financially strapped school afloat. Student population is far too low to create a social environment where children learn to adapt and succeed in the real world. The staff often changes from year to year. Overall, we felt the school lacked the necessary tools, professionalism and vision to continue and grow.”

“As a parent of a former PNA student, I can give a critical insiders view of this very small private school. In researching schools for our daughter we did not consider the fact that a school could be too small, after all the concern is usually that classes are too big. The extremely small class sizes (no classes were ever at capacity) and overall extremely small student body negatively impacted the social/emotional educational experience for my daughter. Her class had only 8 children the entire year, much too small to practice social skills needed for middle school and beyond. Other issues regarding the extremely small school size manifested : a few outspoken parents essentially ran the school, high turn-over rate of staff, and a constant drive for parents to donate more money to the under-funded school. Size does make a difference.”

“Great teachers! Supportive and positive staff and parents. Motivated, active students. My kids have never been happier.”

“We have had both of our children attend PNA. Our youngest is 12, and our oldest is 14 and graduated from PNA last year. Both of them have been a student at PNA since it started in 1998. We have been extremely pleased with the academics, social development, and leadership skills that our children have learned. As our oldest transitioned into high school, the wonderful foundation that PNA instilled in her has enabled her to continue her 'life long love of learning' and has prepared her socially dealing with the challenges that high school introduces into a Childs life. She is confident, respectful, and enthusiastic about the challenges that she is faced with. We don't think this could have been accomplished without the wonderful structure, leadership and support that the staff, parents and other students provided her while attending Pacific Northwest Academy. I would encourage anyone to find a more well rounded school that focuses on raising the 'whole' child.”

“As a new family to Pacfic Northwest Academy, we feel fortunate to have found such a fantastic private school for our third-grade daughter. The other families are welcoming, the children are bright AND polite, the activites after school (like Lego Robotics and Chess Club) are available, the teachers are innovative and creative in their teaching methods, and most importantly to us, the classroom sizes are small and can accommodate advanced skill levels. We can not say enough about the last few months of our interaction with teachers, staff, students and parents. This school was started by parents who knew what they wanted from a school--and it shows.”