WELCOME TO GIG HARBOR ACADEMY

Your Child, Our Focus

Gig Harbor Academy (GHA) is an independent private elementary school where students learn in a truly unique environment. Founded in 1976 on ten acres of trees and wetlands, GHA was originally founded as a family based, one-room multi-age schoolhouse where children were taught in an environment that encouraged them to think freely for themselves and develop a love for learning. GHA has now grown into a four-building preschool through fifth grade elementary school with an enrollment of over 150 students where independence and individuality is still taught in every classroom. GHA's campus now features a large tree-filled playground with a playhouse, big toy, sandbox, swings, basketball court, climbing wall and all new Kompan play structure. GHA has also added a large outdoor classroom, challenging fitness trail, multi-purpose athletic field, an archeological dig site, student managed worm buckets, compost and recycling bins and 5 acres of certified wetlands with trails for research and enjoyment. All of these features help our students learn in an intriguing environment that challenges them mentally, creatively and physically. As the oldest non-public school in the greater Gig Harbor area, the school has established a reputation for academic excellence. Starting in preschool, children are taught pre-reading skills, math, science, art, music and Spanish along with nutrition, community, stewardship and critical thinking to provide the strong foundation they need to be successful individuals. GHA provides this exceptional quality of education in a family-like atmosphere where children feel safe and confident to try new things, and to try again when they do not get the result they intended. Parents and family still have an extremely important role in the school community and are invited to volunteer on campus for a variety of family fun and school development events.

Now Enrolling Pre-School through Fifth Grade

To schedule a personal tour, contact Niki Vanderford at 265-2150. Click on Admissions and Tuition for information. Financial aid is available!

Gig Harbor Academy in the News!

GHA voted BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL for the second year.
South Sound Magazine's BEST of 2010 results are in. Our School Childcare was voted BEST CHILDCARE, two years running, and Eileen Perry, GHA’s Third Grade Teacher, voted BEST TEACHER.(Click on Eileen Perry to see Gateway Article.)

GHA Celebrates the Persian New Year
Great article on last week's Persian New Year Celebration that highlights the school's commitment to cultural education as well as the important role of parents in helping us do wonderful things at GHA for our students.

Gig Harbor Academy and the Global Community: Article 1
Click to read an article in the Peninsula Gateway about Gig Harbor Academy's commitment to raise awareness about and support for schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Gig Harbor Academy and the Global Community: Article 2
Click to read an article in Gig Harbor Life about Gig Harbor Academy's commitment to raise awareness about and support for schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Gig Harbor Academy Cross Country
Click to read an article from Peninsula Gateway on GHA's wonderful Cross Country team. Kudos to Abigail Bushley for her leadership in making the program a great success.

Global Hispanic Festival at Gig Harbor Academy
Click to read an article from the Peninsula Gateway about GHA's special Global Hispanic Festival. Que Bueno to Senora Agee for a great day and her on-going work in making Spanish and its culture an important and interesting part of our children’s education here at GHA.