The Northwest Academy

I graduated from the NW Academy in 2006, and I have nothing but positive things to say about the school. The teachers are phenomenal and spend an incredible amount of time and effort on each and every one of their students. The learning environment is nourishing and challenging, but the students and staff form an excellent support system to prevent failure or discouragement. When I started at the NW Academy, I was disillusioned with public high school. By the time I left the school, I was a straight A student with the tools I needed to succeed in college. I was accepted into my first and second choice schools, and I am still in touch with several of my favorite teachers. Without this school, I would have been a completely different person. I would have been far less prepared for my involvement in the real world. Thanks to the NW Academy, I developed a lifelong love for learning, art, literature, film, and so much more. Throughout the journey, I found lasting friendships and a sense of community. The negative comments on here do not ring true with any of my experiences at the NW Academy. I can't recommend this school enough!

Our daughter is in 7th grade and loves it. We love how NWA blends academics with the arts. The arts program is amazing, even for kids who are not necessarily "artsy." In academic subjects, kids prepare "artistic responses" to whatever it is that they've been studying. They recently finished "Catcher in the Rye" and responses ran the gamut- from a radio show, to model carousels, to an animated movie. The curriculum is sometimes integrated, like earlier this year when kids watched/discussed "Food, Inc." in one class, read "Grapes of Wrath" in English and went on a two-night retreat, visiting an organic farm and a town where migrant farmworkers live. The small class sizes allow teachers to truly get to know the students and the seminar-like courses mean that everyone participates. NWA takes advantage of its downtown location, with visits to places like the Oregon Historical Society, Powell's, PMA, and (last year) the International Film Festival. And the arts' performances -- wowza. I'm baffled by the comment about the school not encouraging parental involvement - there are plenty of opportunities for involvement - we feel somewhat guilty for not being able to be more involved.
--Submitted by a parent

NW Academy has exceeded all of our expectations for middle school! Our daughter is currently enjoying 7th grade at such a level that I wish all kids could have this type of "coming of age" experience. The academics are stimulating and push her just enough, the staff is made up of ALL types of wonderful personalities that will prepare her for the real world. The principal and head of school are very in touch with what works well for students and keeps this school at the TOP academically. Lastly, her social world amongst her peers is amazing! She often says, " we truly are a family. we have a safe space to talk about anything that is on our minds and we know that we will not be judged." What more can a parent ask for!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been a wonderful experience for my son. He's currently in 7th grade and we plan to keep him there through high school. He's challenged academically, has a supportive and diverse set of peers, and the teachers are outstanding. The small class size allows for close relationships with teachers which prevents peers from being the main influence. The arts-infused curriculum nutures creative thinking. The writing instruction is rigorous, though the teachers make it (mostly) fun. The permanent downtown location (across from the art museum) means that the school will continue to take advantage of all the downtown cultural opportunities. My son has grown so much while at Northwest Academy -- especially in his responsibility and organization skills, which are explicitly taught. I can't say enough good things about the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her second year at Northwest Academy (7th grade) and is thriving academically and artistically. The school balances a challenging academic program with artistic classes from dance (ballet, tap, jazz) and fine arts to theater and music. I especially applaud the way the school allows each student to find and nurture his/her unique voice. As a preparation for high school, the Northwest Academy middle school fosters a community where learning is elevated and encouraged. One class, Learning Lab, specifically addresses organizational and time management skills to encourage independent learning and research. I can't say enough about the close interaction with the instructors, small classes and proficiency based learning! I also respect the focus on artistic and creative exploration and I love the downtown Portland location near cultural organizations like the Portland Art Museum, NW Film Center and Portland State University. I look forward to an exciting journey at Northwest Academy!
--Submitted by a parent

My brother was at the Northwest Academy a few years ago and had a difficult time. It seems that the administration and teachers were not prepared to teach a student with a learning disability, despite the small class size. We got the feeling that they had given up on him. He moved on to a school that could work better with his learning style and has done very well since. I imagine this school could be good for some kids but it was not right for someone who needed patience and a little extra guidance.

It is clear that NWA is ahead of its time and its founder is visionary. The idea that education should be based on development and cognitive strengths rather than chronologic age is refreshing. We have been so fortunate to have a daughter who is thriving in an environment that places her in a setting of intense academic and artistic rigor and that cannot be matched elsewhere in the city. If you are a parent searching for a gem...look no further. If you are a parent of a grade schooler, it is not too soon to be thinking about middle school and high school. Pick up the phone and call the admissions office!
--Submitted by a parent

We enrolled our daughter in NWA for the school's arts focus, and indeed the visual arts and dance programs are very strong. The great surprise has been the academic rigor that is applied in all classes. The school offers an unusual combination of independence and discipline for kids. The faculty are terrific and very dedicated to their work and their students. To the theme of some of the negative reviews - we have seen no more emphasis on fund-raising than is normal for a private school, and indeed on par with our previous public school experiences. For better or worse, all schools have to ask for money, pretty much all the time, these days.
--Submitted by a parent

My son was struggling in public middle school when we realized he needed a different kind of education environment. We moved him to NW Academy and it was transformational. He got an outstanding education and is thriving in college. This is a highly energized learning environment with a dedication to excellence. The staff and teachers are passionate about their work and it translates into great outcomes for the kids. Contrary to some people's perceptions, NWA is not an arts school -- it is a creative learning environment with rigorous academics that develops independent thinkers. I highly recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

We chose NWA for our middle school son because of its academic rigor and the opportunities it offers students in the arts. We had very high standards and NWA has never failed to impress. The teachers in the core subjects (English, math, science and social studies) are some of the best I have seen anywhere; truly inspired and committed to challenging each students at their own level. The middle school also has a class which teaches study skills and organization. The opportunities in the arts are numerous, including dance, visual art, drama, photography, music and sound production. In the middle school they expect the students to achieve a high level of academic work, especially in English. We are very happy with NWA and feel very confident that our son is challenged, motivated and well-prepared for high school and beyond.
--Submitted by a parent