Lower School at Pacific Northern Academy is comprised of Early Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. In the Lower School, core academic subjects are taught by the classroom teachers, while Specialists provide instruction in Spanish, physical education, performing arts and studio arts. Small classes, personal attention and integrated curriculum characterize the Lower School program. Independent thinking and personal responsibility are both fostered within the program.
The community environment is considered to be just as important as – and supportive of - the academic program. Our classrooms are heavily influenced by the philosophy described in Teaching Children to Care: Classroom Management for Academic and Social Growth by Ruth Charney. Involving students in rule-making, setting individual student goals and using classroom meetings to teach about community are some of the techniques used. This type of philosophy and practice produces an environment where academic rigor complements respectful, relaxed, non-competitive and friendly classroom relationships.
In a Lower School classroom at PNA you will see children actively engaged in their learning. Each room has an ample classroom library and several computers - plus access to the Lower School Computer Lab. Foundations in Math and language literacy are heavily emphasized. The classrooms are literature rich and our students benefit from individual and small group instruction. There are different learning areas for theater, science and writing workshops, for example. Beginning with Kindergarten, students have the option to participate in overnight field trips each spring. Recent trips have included a study of the temperate rainforest in Girdwood, traveling to Denali National Park and sea kayaking in the Prince William Sound (for older students). All of our students are also involved in PNA’s community events, such as the Thanksgiving Feast, Winter Concert and Spring Musical.
PNA highly values a strong, positive working relationship with parents. To support this, each classroom teacher sends a weekly newsletter home to parents. Each teacher also maintains a classroom website, which can be accessed on this website by clicking on individual class and subject links.
