Inspiring daily through our unique combinations of academics and arts.
Northwest Academy is an independent college preparatory school, grades 6 through 12, located in downtown Portland.
At Northwest Academy, we connect middle and high school students to gifted and passionate faculty, joining arts and academics through a pioneering educational vision on a vibrant urban campus.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked OR School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 234 students
- Yearly Tuition: $31,000
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 2 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Northwest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for:
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Dyslexia, Mild Learning Differences, Neurodiversity,
Year Founded
1997
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
Awards
Blue Ribbon School - Selected in n/a
School Motto
To inspire students to cultivate their own intellectual and artistic voices in a supportive community grounded in knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking.
Student Body
Total Students
234 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
7%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
60 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
12 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 2 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$31,000
Tuition Notes
Average between MS and HS cost.
% on Financial Aid
25%
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Inge Hoogerhuis
Admissions Associate
Amy Bay
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
2 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
19 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
LGBTQ+ Club, Library Club, Tai Chi
Arts and Music Programs:
After School Music, Art, Costume/Make up, Dance, Digital Art, Improv, Jazz Band, Journalism, Literary Journal, Photography, Sound Recording, Theatre, Theatre Tech, Visual Arts Classes, Vocals/Choir, Yearbook
LGBTQ+ Club, Library Club, Tai Chi
Arts and Music Programs:
After School Music, Art, Costume/Make up, Dance, Digital Art, Improv, Jazz Band, Journalism, Literary Journal, Photography, Sound Recording, Theatre, Theatre Tech, Visual Arts Classes, Vocals/Choir, Yearbook
School Notes
- Northwest Academy is an independent, coeducational, accredited, college-preparatory day school, grades 6 through 12, offering engaged academics with a full foundation in the arts, giving students options and choices for college and beyond. Average student/teacher ratio is 5:1. The school is located in a culturally rich, urban setting, which constitutes an integral part of extracurricular and multicultural programs.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Linnea Kelly - Helped develop self-directed learning in undergraduate career at Reed College. -
- Will Meeker - Empowered in design and photography. -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Northwest Academy cost?
Northwest Academy's tuition is approximately $31,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Northwest Academy?
The acceptance rate of Northwest Academy is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 82%.
Who are famous alumni from Northwest Academy?
Northwest Academy famous alumni include: Linnea Kelly - Helped develop self-directed learning in undergraduate career at Reed College. and Will Meeker - Empowered in design and photography..
What sports does Northwest Academy offer?
Northwest Academy offers 2 interscholastic sports: Dance and Martial Arts.
What is Northwest Academy's ranking?
Northwest Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Oregon for: Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Northwest Academy?
The application deadline for Northwest Academy is Feb. 2 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 2 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
In what neighborhood is Northwest Academy located?
Northwest Academy is located in the Southwest Portland neighborhood of Portland, OR. There are 25 other private schools located in Southwest Portland.
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Northwest Academy also viewed these schools: Catlin Gabel School, Pacific Crest Community School, CLASS Academy, Childpeace Montessori School and Central Catholic High School.
The nearest high school to Northwest Academy is New Avenues For Youth (0.4 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Cathedral School (0.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Helen Gordon Child Development Center- Psu (0.2 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: PK-12 | 784 students 4 miles 8825 SW Barnes Road
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 297-1894
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 297-1894
4
PK-12
784
Grades: 6-12 | 90 students 2.5 miles 116 NE 29th Ave
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 234-2826
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 234-2826
2.5
6-12
90
Grades: PK-8 | 160 students 1.7 miles 2730 NW Vaughn Street
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 223-9099
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 223-9099
1.7
PK-8
160
Grades: PK-8 | 250 students 1.4 miles 1516 NW Thurman Street
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 222-1197
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 222-1197
1.4
PK-8
250
Central Catholic High School
(Catholic)
Grades: 9-12 | 845 students 2.1 miles 2401 Se Stark St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-3138
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-3138
2.1
9-12
845
School Reviews
5 12/17/2016
Amazing school! Northwest Academy transformed my sons` lives. Because of the small class size and school, students develop close relationships with the faculty. The students enjoy the meaningful and creative work and learn to do their homework without parental nagging. Northwest Academy graduates adults who are curious, articulate, and inclusive. The location means the students experience downtown Portland's vibrant cultural institutions. My sons are able to talk confidently with adults, navigate an urban environment, and solve problems independently.You should check out the school if you are looking for an accepting environment that nurtures and supports achievement, risk-taking, hard work and questioning.
5 5/17/2016
NW Academy has amazing academics, especially in the writing/humanities and math areas. The classes resemble college seminars with 12 to 15 kids clustered around a table with a teacher discussing the class topics. And the arts classes are the best, with amazing teachers who are leaders in their field, whether it is painting, theater, voice, music, etc. I like that it is all part of the class day, and the creative approach infuses the academic classes as well. The students are all there because they love learning -- and there's a culture of respect for differences and appreciation of lifelong learning that really meshes with our values. The teachers are inspirational, and the small class sizes mean that the adults set the tone and are strong role models for the kids.
5 2/21/2013
The Northwest Academy has provided my children with an incredible mix of artistic and academic challenges. The dedicated teaching staff takes the time to get to know each individual student and I have always found staff to respond quickly to my questions or concerns. Although this is an ''arts focused'' school, we have found the academics to be far superior to those which our eldest child received in our local school. A great deal of attention is paid to the development of solid writing skills, but the artistic responses provide an opportunity for students to show what they know in a wide variety of formats. Although no school is perfect, this one is pretty close.
Endorse Northwest Academy. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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