A school supporter has pledged $150,000 to the 2007-2008 PNA campaign. This donation and an additional $25,000 pledge from another supporter are being offered to the school as challenges:

• $100,000 Challenge gift to be awarded when donations of $5,000 or more reach the $100,000 mark.

• $25,000 Challenge gift to be awarded when campaign reaches $275,000.

• $50,000 Challenge gift to be awarded when campaign reaches $450,000.

The campaign goal is $500,000. The funds will be used to fund a combination of scholarship and educational program support, including the school’s outstanding visual arts and performing arts programs. All PNA students benefit from the strong curriculum, talented faculty and individual attention that our giving campaign makes possible. Community members are encouraged to donate at the level that works for their family. Please contact the school office at 907-333-1080 or pharris@pacificnorthern.org to make a donation.

The admissions season for the 2008-09 school year is underway at Pacific Northern Academy. Here are some key dates for application to our Early Kindergarten and Kindergarten:

  February 13: Early Application Deadline

  February 16: Early Kindergarten & Kindergarten Adventure Day

                    (A fun and engaging day for us to get to know our student applicants and their parents.)

  February 29: Acceptance Letters Mailed

Applications for grades one through eight are also being accepted, with admissions decisions being made on a rolling basis. Tours are available daily. Interested families are also invited to consider attending one of our Admissions Open Houses:

  Tuesday, January 22nd: 9:30-11:00 a.m.

  Thursday, February 7th: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

  Saturday, March 29th: 10:00-12:00 noon

For more information, contact Susan Bergt at sbergt@pacificnorthern.org or 333-1080.

Mark Niedermier, Head of School at Pacific Northern Academy, announced
today the launch of a new scholarship program that will reach out to
Alaska's military community. The Military Scholarship Program for middle
school age children of active duty personnel provides scholarships worth
$6,250 each, covering over half of the school's annual tuition. In
discussing the new program, Head of School Mark Niedermier stated that
in a review of needs within the community, the Board of Trustees decided
to offer exceptional students in military families improved access to a
PNA education. Additional funding through the school's need-based
financial aid program may also be available.

The Military Scholarship Program is effective with the second semester
of the current school year for children in grades five through eight.
Beginning next fall, the program is available for students in grades six
through eight. To be eligible, students must hold a minimum 3.5 grade
point average and/or perform at or above the 90th percentile in a
nationally-normed standardized achievement test. Submission of a student
essay is also required.

PNA is now in its twelfth year as Anchorage's premier independent
school.  PNA's unique and successful program is characterized by an
intellectually challenging environment with an emphasis on visual arts,
performing arts, community service, and cultural diversity. Recent
surveys among parents at PNA revealed exceptionally high satisfaction
rates for the quality of the curriculum, the engaged and talented
faculty, the opportunities for parent involvement and the outstanding
arts program. Director of Admissions Susan Bergt comments that the
parent survey really showed that "Our kids like our school and love
learning here."  PNA's test scores indicate that the school is hitting
the mark with the average PNA middle school student scoring in the top
ten percent nationally.

Niedermier commented that PNA looks forward to meeting with military
families in the near future to explain the program and how to access it.
More information about PNA, the various programs offered are on the
school's website: www.pacificnorthern.org