Middle School at Pacific Northern Academy gives students the support, both socially and academically, to be confident and organized high schoolers on the path to excellence. In an integrated studies approach, PNA Middle School students learn to dive deep into complex topics, think critically, and engage in hands-on creative projects which keep them engaged and give them vision for improvement of themselves and their communities.

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All PNA middle school students take Spanish, Art, Music, P.E., and health classes.  Students test into leveled math classes, challenging them based on their own ability.  Hands-on laboratory science experiments, rigorous focus on literature and writing, world cultural studies, and a rotating slate of Friday elective offerings including Mandarin Chinese, Outdoor Survival Skills, Scratch Coding and Programming, and The Science of Baking round out a robust curriculum designed to challenge and delight. 

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Learning is enhanced by the use of Project Based Learning methods, which engage students in creative problem-solving and encourage collaboration and revision. The Middle School follows a block schedule where concepts and discussions have time to fully develop, and Elective and Intensive Study opportunities allow students choice and build investment in their education.

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In the past five years, 100% of PNA graduates have gone on to enroll in honors and advanced placement classes.  The experience is repeatedly recognized by graduates as positive, life-changing, and altogether different from what many students experience in traditional large-format middle schools.  This particularly formative time in students' lives is perhaps the most important time to provide them with a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment.  

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Hear what one graduate of the PNA middle school had to say about his experience:

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Leadership Opportunities

One of the hallmarks of Middle School at PNA is self-direction and leadership. The teacher is often in a mentor role, and students are expected to take the initiative - whether in leading the discussion or shaping the direction of study. Students’ initial steps toward decision making, consensus building, point of view, and identity that are critical at this age are done in a safe and supportive environment, allowing for positive learning from the inevitable stumbles, failures, and self-doubt that are also characteristic of this stage of development. 

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Positive Social Climate

There is a big upward curve that the incoming sixth grader travels to become a graduating eighth grader. As students progress, so do their increased responsibilities and opportunities, such as leadership at the Fall Retreat, leading morning meeting, and helping plan and execute school-wide events.  Middle schoolers still have recess every day, are the leads in plays, MC the "Brown Bag" talent show, and eventually enjoy "8th grade privileges."  PNA's Middle School is a time of consistently increasing responsibilities and freedoms, social maturation, and academic growth. 

 

The Middle School Fall Retreat is a three-day team building Mission Quest. Each day the quest focus is different. The first day is a Vision Quest where students will need to create the vision for the day and follow through as a team. The next day is a Courage Quest where students will test their individual courage as well as encourage other team members to achieve certain goals. The last day is an Integrity Quest in which students will need to be true to who they are, while also working toward the common goals of the team. Upon returning from the Mission Quest, the middle schoolers will craft and sign their Class Guidelines, which provide a baseline for a successful rest of the school year.

 

This social-emotional learning and community-building can have tremendous impacts on the year's academic learning. Only through positive daily interactions can students feel safe and learn effectively. Focusing on the PNA mission allows students to recognize these qualities in themselves and, through living it, apply it to all aspects of their lives - including academics.

 

With a consistent emphasis on social-emotional development throughout the year, PNA gives students the tools to navigate both their own - and their peers’ - fast-evolving development toward adulthood, all while undertaking challenging academics and new experiences. By the time the eighth graders embark on their final spring trip, they are ready for the two-week, international cultural immersion. 

 

The World Outside

Middle School end-of-year field trips take progressive steps beyond South Central Alaska. 5th and 6th grades alternate years going to Kodiak Island to study Aleut culture and WWII history, and going to the San Juan Islands on the Salish Expedition for marine and eco-biology, leadership, and sailing experience. 7th graders go on a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., to study government, and the 8th graders culminate their time at PNA with a trip to Costa Rica, where they engage in ecological learning including reforestation, sea turtle rescue, and are immersed in the language and culture. Pacific Northern Academy's field trip program is designed to both challenge and ignite students' curiosity. 

Graduation

Middle school concludes with the capstone graduation project. This all-encompassing final project highlights the value PNA places on authentic self expression, self-confidence, public speaking, and clear and concise writing. PNA’s graduates show they can effectively communicate artistically, verbally, and in formal writing.

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After graduation, students transition to various options for high school.  One thing that is standard is the success PNA students have making the jump from our small pond to the big sea of high school.  The way the PNA program instills confidence, organization, and kindness sets kids up for a succesful transition to whatever high school they enter, and our graduates (and their parents) regularly tell us how PNA helped prepare them for the future. 

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