FAQs

Personalized approach

Frequently referring families to Park Academy, I count on Park's remarkably ignited, highly qualified staff for positive personalized approaches to assessing and re-assessing each student's strengths and challenges followed by innovative educational techniques drawn from many disciplines.

Dr. Judith Belk

2019-02-04T22:00:31-08:00

Dr. Judith Belk

Frequently referring families to Park Academy, I count on Park’s remarkably ignited, highly qualified staff for positive personalized approaches to assessing and re-assessing each student’s strengths and challenges followed by innovative educational techniques drawn from many disciplines.

Thank You

Having teachers and staff that actually cared about me and challenged me to set and achieve goals made all the difference. I was lost, they helped me find my real self.
Malachi Simnitt

Malachi
Graduate, Class of 2018

2016-03-14T15:19:08-07:00

Malachi
Graduate, Class of 2018

Malachi Simnitt
Having teachers and staff that actually cared about me and challenged me to set and achieve goals made all the difference. I was lost, they helped me find my real self.

Positive Impact

As soon as Malachi started at Park we began to see positive changes in him, his confidence began to grow.  For the first time, he actually like going to school. His academic and reading performance greatly improved after just one year. Park helped him recognize his potential by highlighting his strengths and encouraging him to keep trying.

Angie,

Parent of Graduate

2016-03-14T15:19:18-07:00

Angie,

Parent of Graduate

As soon as Malachi started at Park we began to see positive changes in him, his confidence began to grow.  For the first time, he actually like going to school. His academic and reading performance greatly improved after just one year. Park helped him recognize his potential by highlighting his strengths and encouraging him to keep trying.

FAQs

How is Park Academy different from other institutions?

Park Academy’s core curriculum and assessment is aligned with common core state standards and benchmarks. Instruction is structured, simultaneous, sequential, and multi-sensory. Unlike conventional instruction, which perpetuates the concept that all students learn the same way, the multi-sensory approach encourages student learning by engaging multiple senses: auditory, visual and kinesthetic/tactile. The students’ stronger learning styles are reinforced while weaker ones are integrated and developed.

Who should apply?

Park Academy admits students with dyslexia and other language learning differences that have not been addressed in a traditional school setting. Park Academy does not accept students with significant cognitive, emotional, or behavioral disabilities. For more on this, read this post by Craig Lowery, Head of School, “Who Does Park Academy Serve?”

What kind of training do the instructors have?

Park Academy teachers are trained in research-based, multi-sensory methodologies. Most teachers have also obtained their Master’s degrees in education or their specific field. Learn more about our instructors on the Meet Our Team page.

Is Park Academy accredited?

Park Academy is accredited through the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).

What experience does the Head of School bring to Park Academy?

Craig Lowery has spent his career in education focused on students with unique learning challenges. After beginning as a Language Arts teacher, he set off overseas serving as a teacher and teacher trainer as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the distant Pacific island Archipelago of Kiribati. Soon after returning, Dr. Lowery completed his Master’s of Science in school and clinical counseling and served as a teacher, counselor, and adolescent therapist before moving into administration. Later, Dr. Lowery completed his dissertation focused on the experiences of families navigating the Individual Education Plan (IEPs) process, in the pursuit of a Doctorate of Education.

Dr. Lowery has spent most of his career as a professional educator working in the independent school special education community. He served as teacher and counselor for Gately Academy and as principal of Bridges Middle School. In addition, Dr. Lowery served as the local co-chair for the International Dyslexia Association Conference, which hosted more than 2,800 attendees in Portland Oregon on November 7-10, 2019. Currently, he is a committee member on the NWAIS Standards and Practices Committee and the International Dyslexia Association, Oregon Branch’s Nominating Committee.

When he is not immersed in the world of education you can find him out and about on adventures with his wife, Jessica, and two children, Jackson and Sophia.

Who is on the Board of Trustees?

Park Academy’s Board is comprised of civic and business leaders, educators, parents, and the founder of the academy.

Andy Pihl, Board Chair Park Corporation

Tom Boothe, Trustee Attorney at Law

Dr. Keith Cheng, Trustee Trillium Family Services

Gary Maffei, Trustee Community Representative

Jeff Mengis, Trustee Mengis Capital Management Inc.

Mickey Morey, Trustee Community Representative

Piper Park, Founder Community Representative

Dr. David Plotkin, Trustee Community Representative

Bill Westphal, Trustee Community Representative

Gina Williams, Trustee Community Representative

How much is tuition for an academic school year?

Tuition for the 2024 – 2025 school year is set at $26,300 for all grades.

Visit our Application Process page for how to apply.

Is financial aid available?

Park Academy is committed to assisting families who are in need of additional financial support. Awards of scholarships will be based on the availability of funds as set forth by the Scholarship Committee and the Board of Trustees. Visit our Financial Aid page for more information.

How can I track my student's progress?

Teachers and staff are invested in student success and believe the role parents and families play in their child’s education is critical. Parents and teachers communicate regularly via email or phone regarding student progress. Grades can also be seen any time through Alma.  Park Academy’s website and Facebook page also keep families informed of upcoming school events, curriculum design, fundraisers, etc.

Why is Park Academy no longer accepting high school students?

Park Academy’s high school program will no longer exist after June, 2026. The Park Academy Board of Directors made the decision to phase out the high school program in early September, 2022. Currently enrolled high school students will not see any brick and mortar changes for the 22-23 and the 23-24 school year. However, after two years, based on the enrollment of high school students, the last two years may look different, for example, a supported online school experience with a proctor on campus for students who need in person assistance with an online learning experience.

What are Park Academy’s immunization rates?

Twice a year, Clackamas County requires us to share county immunization rates as well as our school’s rates. You can view our rates here, and the county’s rates here. You can also request this information at the front desk.