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'.
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Posted by a parent on 08/06/09
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
... Read more 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. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/08/08
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
... Read more 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 Read less
Posted by a student on 06/08/08
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
... Read more 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. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/10/08
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.
... Read more 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. Read less
Posted by a parent on 12/19/07
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
... Read more 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'. Read less
Posted by a parent on 12/04/07
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
... Read more 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. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/19/07
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.
... Read more 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. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/19/07
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
... Read more 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. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/19/07
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
... Read more 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 Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Anchorage schools — Pacific Northern Academy is located at 550 S Bragaw St, Anchorage AK 99508. 550 S Bragaw St is in the Airport Heights neighborhood and 99508 ZIP code in Anchorage, AK Pacific Northern Academy is a Private school that serves grade levels PK - 8.
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Test Score Ratings
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