PARK ACADEMY

Causes: Education, Primary & Elementary Schools, Secondary & High Schools, Special Education

Mission: Park Academy empowers students with diverse learning challenges to reach their highest potential of giftedness while excelling academically and becoming responsible citizens and community leaders.

Results: Park Academy has been successful in improving educational opportunities for students with learning challenges since 2005. One measureable outcome we aim to achieve is a 100% graduation rate. Since opening, we have graduated 29 students, accomplishing our 100% graduation rate goal. Furthermore, these students who completed the four-year high school curriculum at Park Academy received an unmodified diploma, giving them substantially better opportunities in continuing their education or obtaining jobs. We also aim for 100% of recent graduates to be accepted into post-secondary education after graduation. So far, this goal has been met with outstanding success. We also measure success through individual students’ academic improvement. Using the Qualitative Reading Inventory 4th Edition assessment, students in grades 4-8 increased an average of 2 grade levels when reading independent level passages in the last year. This is an average increase of .45 grade levels from the previous year. Considering that most students come to Park Academy having fallen several grade levels behind in reading, this is a major accomplishment for our students and for us as educators.

Target demographics: students with dyslexia reach their full potential

Direct beneficiaries per year: 65 students

Geographic areas served: the Portland Metro Area

Programs: Park Academy is the only school in Oregon with an articulated elementary through high school curriculum specifically designed for students with dyslexia. Park Academy uses evidence-based methods that are multi-sensory, sequential, and highly structured. These techniques are applicable to all areas of study and have been proven to increase reading fluency and overall academic performance. Support systems are in place to ensure a respectful, welcoming, and family-like environment. Park Academy offers a low student-to-teacher ratio with a complete range of core academic and enrichment classes, including Theater, Spanish, Visual Arts, Music, Culinary Arts and Physical Education. Park Academy is located on South Shore Boulevard in Lake Oswego, approximately ten minutes south of downtown Portland. Park Academy is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (AdvancED) and is a designated Subscriber School with Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). These organizations provide both program oversight and professional development resources.