Northern Lights Academy
From the time I first read Little House on the Prairie I had the crazy dream of teaching in a one room schoolhouse. This winter, after 24 years of teaching in the Fairbanks Public Schools, the circumstances came together to provide the opportunity for me to realize this dream in the form of Northern Lights Academy. NLA is designed to be an academically challenging school. The curriculum closely follows that of the FNSBSD, but is presented in a manner utilizing traditional as well as out-of-the-box teaching methods. The smaller class size, more uniform ability levels of the students and ability of the students to independently choose appropriate behaviors will allow opportunities for unique projects and teaching units.
WOW! We had a very busy and marvelous first school year.
Some of the highlights include:
- Group Science Fair project on goats which took first in the homeschool science fair and the blue ribbon at District
- Four individual Science Fair Projects garnered 3 blue ribbons and one red one
- Three individual science fair projects went on to represent NLA at District where more ribbons and awards were brought home
- We participated in the District Spelling Bee and Speech Festival
- We participated in the State Battle of the Books Competition
- We completed the full year course in archery at King’s Nock Archery
- We completed the 6 week course in horse care/riding at Camp Li-Wa
- We had 100% approval mark from the State Immunization Board
- Community service projects included a holiday gift project for the seniors in our community and a Halloween activity at Bright Beginnings
- We also held the first annual Spring Tea
- NLA ended the year with the 1st annual Amazing Race
- We secured approval from the Borough to use the little house off of Skyline Drive for our school
- We had numerous other fundraisers throughout the year as well: large garage sale, spell-a-thon, etc.
- We sponsored a student trip to Florida to study science…open to all interested 5-8th graders in the District
- We completed our annual standardized testing with tremendous results
- Two students won prizes in the art contest through 1st National Bank
- Maybe you are one of those to whom I’ve spoken at the fair?
We are looking forward to another fun filled year of learning! Our highlights include:
- Bowling instruction
- Swimming instruction
- Battle of the Books
- All the academics above plus Geography Bee will be added
- Seward/Homer Marine Biology Trip
- Sponsored trip to Washington, D.C./Williamsburg/Jamestown in March, 2011
- PLUS our annual fundraisers for the gifts for seniors, spring tea, spell-a-thon
There is much more! Come check out Fairbanks’ Own One Room Schoolhouse! Enrollment space is limited, so don’t delay! We’d love to have you join our family. We are always looking for students, financial sponsors and interested board members. Call today!
Mission Statement
The mission of Northern Lights Academy is to provide a quality education in a place students can safely learn and grow. Learning is paramount at Northern Lights Academy. Families are welcome and expected to participate in the learning process of their child. Due to smaller class size, the varied ages of the students, and the like-minded behavioral and ethical expectations of both families and staff, the students will be able to cover academic ground more quickly and in greater depth. Traditional as well as more “out of the box” teaching methods will be utilized.
Goals
- Students will complete the curriculum laid out for that year with an 80% or above success rate.
- Students will positively interact with other students of various ages and develop an appreciation for education by watching their parents, families and schoolmates participating in educational activities.
- Students will participate in annual standardized testing and achieve scores at or above current grade level.
- The importance of family in every aspect of daily life will be emphasized and school activities will promote moral and ethical behaviors and choices.