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.

Park Academy, located on the beautiful Marylhurst University campus, is a small non-profit private school founded by Piper Park, a parent who sought to furnish her son with an education that addressed his challenges with dyslexia. Her goal was to assist other parents who struggled to find a program that not only recognized the complexity of students with learning differences, but also acknowledged and stimulated the intelligence of these students. Ms. Park’s dream became a reality when she opened the doors of Park Academy in September 2005.

Park Academy’s core curriculum is aligned with state standards and benchmarks; students may earn credits through a demonstration of proficiency. Instruction is developed around the research-based Slingerland Adaptation of the Orton-Gilingham approach. Unlike conventional instruction which perpetuates the concept that all students should and do learn the same way, the Slingerland approach encourages student learning by engaging multiple senses: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. The students’ stronger learning styles are reinforced, while weaker ones are integrated and developed. After thorough evaluation, each student is placed on an education plan designed to support specific student needs and make the most of individual strengths and interests.

Park Academy admits students with dyslexia and other learning differences that have not been addressed in a traditional setting. Park Academy is not able to support the needs of students with significant cognitive, emotional or behavioral disturbances.

Many of the Park Academy teachers are trained in the Slingerland approach to instruction and are highly qualified in their content area.

Park Academy is accredited through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS) and is working toward additional accreditation through the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS). Park Academy has met the criteria as a Subscriber School with PNAIS. These organizations provide both program oversight and professional development resources.

Dr. Kinney has been an educator for over 35 years, as a teacher, principal, district school administrator, and college adjunct professor. She spearheaded da Vinci middle school in Portland School District and the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy in Beaverton School District, a state and national award winning school which has been rated “Exceptional” by the Oregon Department of Education since her tenure. She is a national and international consultant, specializing in developing effective leaders and designing new or reformed innovative schools.

She believes all students, elementary through graduate school, are able to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally if major factors such as learning styles, differentiated instruction, student interests, passions, and a personalized small environment are at the forefront of their education. Her research and publications have focused on equity and excellence in education.

Prior to her current position as Director of Park Academy, a school serving students with dyslexia, she was a School Change Coach with an outstanding non-profit organization, E3: Employers for Education Excellence, respected for a number of its initiatives, one of which was Oregon Small Schools, funded by the Meyer Memorial Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She has served and continues to serve on numerous Boards, both statewide and nationally. She has been actively involved in her community, with her interest being in education and health.

Dr. Kinney received her B.A. from Yankton College (S.D.), proudly, her M.A. in Psychology from Antioch University Seattle, and Ed.D. from Lewis & Clark College. She has been married to her husband, Dan, for 37 years; they have two adult daughters and one grandson.

Park Academy’s Board is comprised of civic and business members of the community, educators, and the founder of the academy. The board will be expanding to include parent and student representatives along with additional community members.

Tuition for the 2009/2010 school year is set at $14,500.00 for grades 4 - 12.

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.

Families are considered essential partners in their students’ success. Teacher web, phone, e-mail and newsletters are crucial tools in communicating with families.