Pacific Northern Academy

My daughter has attended PNA since Kindergarten. My husband balked at the cost initially as I am a full time student and we are reliant on his income till I finish my degree. Her kindergarten class had 14 students and two full time teachers, not a teachers assistant, two full time teachers! My daughter grew and matured so very much while attending PNA. We tried Rilke Schule towards the end of her kindergarten year as the cost of PNA was hard for us. While we liked Rilke Schule very much and think it is an excellent school, it just doesnt have the budget and support that PNA does. That isnt Rilke Schule's fault, it is just the difference between a private and a public school. Even though it is sometimes a struggle finacially, we don't regret for a moment in choosing PNA. No other school that we looked at had the small class size, commitment to the arts,and such awesome teachers. Although I regret that we couldn't attend both Rilke and PNA, (I love the German language), there is no doubt in our minds that PNA was the only school that could give our daughter the one on one attention, artistic, scientific, and cultural education. I highly recommend Pacific Northern Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends PNA, and has loved it from day one. The teachers are fantastic and highly qualified, the learning environment is hands on and dynamic, and he is never bored. He's in Kindergarten, and has really blossomed as a learner. Class sizes are perfect, and the teachers give him lots of one-on-one attention. The school overall has had its challenges, but significant parental involvement and a new administration have made our experience more than exceptional. I highly recommend that you consider this school if you want to see your child take charge of his/her learning and enjoy coming to school everyday - it's worth every penny!
—Submitted by a parent

Both my daughters have attended PNA since EK. We fell in love with the school as soon as our oldest daughter started EK and still find the school to be a place where learning is exciting. My kids love going to school every day. Kids and parents alike are involved, motivated and encouraged. The faculty and staff are of the highest caliber! I have no doubt that my children are receiving the best education available to them in Anchorage at PNA!
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, great community, great school. Coming from the East Coast, which has a huge selection of excellent private schools, to Alaska, where the options are few, I was very worried about what I'd find. I could not be happier with this independent school 'Alaska-style'.
—Submitted by a parent

When my youngest daughter left P.N.A. for the ASD Japanese Immersion program, she was at the top of her class. After a year of frustration in the classroom she returned the next year and, not to my surprise, was at the bottom of her class in her formerly strong subjects. Pacific Northern Academy teaching philosophy and incredible teachers make a difference. Happily for her parents, her academic rigor has returned and she continues her independent learning by continuing studying Spanish at PNA and Japanese after school. As a side note, her older sister learned Spanish at PNA and, when she went to high school, her early start allowed her to join the Spanish Immersion Class where she did very well and is now participating in the I.B. (International Baccalaureate) program.
—Submitted by a parent

I used to to go to p.n.a. and it is one of the best schools I have ever been to. I transferred there from a school I thought was really bad, and I think that some of the people there may have changed me a little, and not in a good way. But when I arrived at p.n.a. I was in the 4th grade, and I was immediately befriended by everyone they were very mature, polite, independent, and really cared for one another then sodenly i was one of them. I was truly amazed by the people at p.n.a. the staff, the student, how much parent involvement there was, everything. The last day of school there were so many tears cried because we wouldn t see each other as much. p.n.a. changed my life and you would be an idiot not to send your child there. - Sharleigh, age 12
—Submitted by a student

My Daughter attended two years of PNA after having troubles in the Anchorage Public School System. Being new to Alaska and Independent schools, we were impressed by the ability of the entire school to focus on quality education and my daughter's welfare. Time and time again, her academic and social progress was ensured because the Faculty at PNA had the time and energy to address her individual needs and concerns. To keep this short, she blossomed at PNA and is now in the Gifted Program at West High School where she has never lost her excitement for learning. She still returns to PNA when she has time to see her former teachers. It remains a pivotal decision moment for us as parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended PNA since early kindergarten...6 and 8 years respectively. I would agree that there are some challenges regarding class size. Class size is mandated to be no more than 18 students. In smaller classes, I feel less students diminish the learning and social experience. My wife and I are very pleased in regards to class size. The caring and talented teachers have raised the level of education where it is a true challenge to the individual child. As an independent school, PNA has allowed my children to be educated without the usual shortcomings. Please feel free to contact the head of the school and find out about the PNA program, teachers and community. I am sure they will meet and exceed your expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of our children have been at PNA at one time or another. In my view, PNA is 'a school in decline'. Our son, frustrated with the lack of academic opportunity and challenge at PNA, and disenchanted with PNA's dwindling class sizes, opted for boarding school in Canada. Our older daughter, in middle school, can't wait to launch from PNA, and is frustrated by the lack of challenge there. The Anchorage School District is rather special for a public school system, and has a number of excellent programs. I'm sorry, but generally speaking, I just cannot give PNA a rating of 'excellent'.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two daughters that have attended PNA going on the second year. I have been impressed with the school because of the following three reasons: 1) The teachers are top notch and care immensely about the education and development of my children. I have seen huge increases in self-confidence and self-awareness. 2) The strong sense of community. PNA is a very healthy community with involvement from all parents. My children were accepted with open arms by other children and their parents; and they have built strong ties to the school. 3) Academic rigor is high. Our children have excelled in a well-balanced and individualized education track, with significant teacher support.
—Submitted by a parent

Pacific Northern Academy has been the best choice we could have made for our children. Our daughter attended PNA from early Kindergarten through 8th grade and graduated from PNA. She is now a sophomore at an Anchorage Public High School, and is an honor student, involved in sports and other activities. PNA was the perfect environment for her to learn and develop character as a young adult. It has given her the confidence and education needed to do well in public high school, though she would still be at PNA if they had a high school! Our son is currently in 5th grade at PNA, and is thriving in the learning environment. Though our two children have very different interests and personalities, the staff and programs at PNA bring out the best in each of them, teaching them to be independent thinkers of vision, courage and integrity. I highly recommend PNA.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Pacific Northern Academy for five years, from 7th grade through his graduation in 12th grade. The skills he developed while a student at PNA enabled him to score in the 90th + percentile on his SAT scores and helped to earn him an appointment at the United States Air Force Academy. My son was in a gifted program in the public schools but was falling through the cracks because of the lack of individual attention he needed. He got that attention at PNA in addition to the identification of the specific skills in which he needed improvement. Once those needs were identified the skills were systematically improved upon so that he bacame an exceptional problem solver and writer. Th teachers at PNA are exceptionally skilled and caring. I would recommend PNA to any parent who recognizes that their child would benefit from individualized, caring instruction.
—Submitted by a parent

Hello to all my fellow parents. My review results in a moderate rating of three points.Teachers at PNA Alaska deserve the credit for saving the day---surprise!There has been a non-stop overhaul of the administration from day one .Sadly,this coupled with a heady lesser regard for parental involvement and lack of an onsite nurse continues the decline in overall rating with regard to the learning process and safety issues.My son has struggled immensely after his attendence there
—Submitted by Gail Brena, a parent