"My son is now a happy, well adjusted, almost 8-year-old boy who is very proud of his accomplishments..."

"My son entered Columbia Academy in January of 2008 as a 2nd semester 1st grader.

He had attended Kindergarten in Lake Oswego with mixed results. I was told that he was well liked by his peers, displayed leadership qualities and got his school work done, but was disruptive in class.

For his 1st grade year, I visited with the school staff at the West Linn School District, before I enrolled him there in September of 2007. I had advised them that he was very bright, "high energy" and could be disruptive if not challenged beyond his grade level. I was assured that they could accommodate his learning needs. After attending school there for only a few weeks, I was told that he was terribly disruptive and that his behavior was preventing him from learning. In December of 2007, although his teacher said that he had completed all but one of the requirements for promotion to the 2nd grade, I was told that they wanted to put him in 'Special Ed' and wanted him to be placed on medication for ADHD. I was told that if I did not agree to this they would either allow him to attend school for only a couple of hours per day or would suspend him entirely.

In January of 2008, after attending school at Columbia Academy for only a few days, my son was moved into the 2nd grade because their evaluation said that was the correct placement for him. After only 4 months at Columbia Academy, he has been promoted to the 3rd grade, is in the process of completing the last section of 3rd grade reading, and has become a voracious reader. I have been told, by his teachers at Columbia, that he is advanced in most of his subjects. All of which was accomplished without the use of medication.

My son is now a happy, well adjusted, still high energy, almost 8-year-old boy who is very proud of his accomplishments and is well liked by his peers. All of which I owe to Claire, for taking a chance on him and providing him with a learning environment that he thrives in, and to Michele, for awakening a passion for mathematics in him. Next year, he will have some subjects taught by Kathy and I am certain that she will provide him with the same wonderful teaching skills and support that he has had this year.

To any parent that is considering a school for their child, I highly recommend Columbia Academy. Their belief that a caring, yet disciplined environment that focuses on behavior modification and learning, not medication, provides a place that your child can meet or exceed your expectations."