Executive Functioning Skills: “Try Harder” Isn’t the Answer When an iron rod pierced railroad worker Phineas Gage’s frontal lobe in 1848, he survived an accident that should have killed him. But survival was only the beginning of the story. In the months that followed, people who knew Gage noticed significant… Read more
How to Choose a College Consultant Who Is the Right Fit for Your Student The college application process can feel overwhelming, even for organized students and experienced parents. There are essays to write, deadlines to track, recommendations to request, and financial details to understand. On top of that, families need… Read more
How 1-to-1 Learning Helps Students Catch Up and Move Ahead Even five years after COVID-19 first disrupted schools, many students are still struggling to reach pre-pandemic levels of achievement. A recent article in Education Week highlighted sobering news: reading has inched closer to recovery, but math performance remains significantly behind…. Read more
Back in 2018, we shared our excitement about a brand new teen space coming to Issaquah: The Garage, A Teen Cafe. We believed then, as we do now, that teens deserve a safe, welcoming place where they can be fully themselves, no strings attached. Today, The Garage is a vibrant,… Read more
(updated May 6, 2026) When summer school emails from local school districts begin, Academy families should know they have another option: flexible, one-to-one summer school and credit recovery in Issaquah and Sammamish. Instead of being locked into a fixed schedule, students can complete courses on their own timeline, whether that’s… Read more
Is your family considering summer school, but worrying that it’ll ruin your summer plans? Good news – summer school doesn’t have to be stressful! One-to-one summer classes at Pacific Learning Academy help students push themselves forward academically by recovering credits from last year or jumping ahead for next year, all… Read more
How Tutoring Can Dig Your Child Out of an Academic Slump Parents are worried and students have been frustrated that the return to school last fall didn’t end up being the academic catch-up they had hoped for. Ongoing pandemic precautions, Covid-19 illness, and lack of continuity have disrupted “the plan”… Read more
Transitioning to Remote Learning This year, many students and their families have lost the ability to choose how they would like their education structured. Instead, most students are required to attend remotely, in virtual classrooms with other online students, whether or not the environment suits their learning needs. Districts, schools,… Read more
Pictured (left to right): Erica Fewel (ISF Board Chair), Kirsten O’Malley (PLA Executive Director and ISF trustee), Cornell Atwater (ISF Executive Director) Pacific Learning Academy supports the Issaquah Schools Foundation After-School Homework Labs program. AFTER-SCHOOL HOMEWORK LABS GIVE EVERY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACCESS TO HELP. Did you know that every… Read more
How did we help you? ABOUT HALF OF OUR STUDENTS COME FROM WORD-OF-MOUTH REFERRALS AND WE LOVE TO SAY THANK YOU! Choosing the right fit for tutoring or 1-on-1 high school credit courses can be overwhelming. When a friend you trust tells you about their experience, you know you’re taking… Read more
