Northwest Academy Benefit Raises Over $300,000

Portland, February 27th, 2016. Nearly 300 community members came together to support Northwest Academy’s scholarship fund and they donated over $300,000. Barbara Hall and Susanne Orton were guests of Presenting Sponsor: Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation. The “Disco Fever” theme was contagious. In addition, Founder and Head of School Mary Vinton Folberg was honored and celebrated as she passes the baton this year and will focus on securing a permanent home for the school.

From Northwest Academy:

CHALLENGING ACADEMICS AND INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY

Whether they are researching their thesis essays or creating a multimedia visual project, Northwest Academy students approach complex concepts with intellectual curiosity. At every grade level, we respect our students’ abilities to comprehend challenging ideas and to demonstrate their understanding with insight and creativity.  As a result of this trust, our students become self-motivated learners with a strong desire to explore new ideas.

PROFICIENCY-BASED LEARNING

At Northwest Academy, knowledge, skill, and academic maturity – rather than chronological age – determine a student’s placement. Appropriate placement is critical to the school’s proficiency-based program.  Proper placement positively affects a student’s motivation, initiative, and risk-taking, and it also impacts a student’s ability to succeed in subsequent years of study in a subject.

STRONG ACADEMIC AND ARTS PARTNERSHIP

Our arts and academic partnership promotes an environment in both arts and academic classes where a student’s multiple intelligences can flourish. Through their arts experiences, our students acquire skills and strategies–such as attention to detail, self-discipline, self-awareness, and risk-taking–that help them succeed in their academic classes.

SMALL CLASS SIZES AND PASSIONATE FACULTY

Northwest Academy’s commitment to small class sizes and access to faculty help students succeed at high levels.  In our classrooms, no student can disappear or remain passive about his or her learning.  Combined with an environment that encourages free and open inquiry, our teachers’ passion for their subject areas motivates student interest in learning and creative thinking.

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND CAMPUS

Northwest Academy’s campus is located in downtown Portland’s cultural district, near its public transportation hub. Surrounded by the Portland Art Museum, the Central Library, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the Northwest Film Center, and Portland State University, Northwest Academy students and faculty participate in the cultural and academic offerings near campus.