With Age Comes Wisdom Excerpts from our Class of 2024 Alumni Panel

Educational philosopher John Dewey once said, “We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” This week at Parker, we were honored to practice some reflection of our own by welcoming back our Class of 2024 graduates to participate in a Transition to High School panel with our current 8th graders.  Our 2024 graduates returned to campus mature and articulate, having kept Parker close to their hearts. Listening to their conversations, it is clear that they miss Parker, have fully embraced their high school experiences, and also probably don’t always manage their study hall time well;) It is apparent that they have grown into flexible learners that think outside the box and lean into uncertainty and change. As high schoolers, they now value questioning and problem-solving, and they have the academic and emotional intelligence to meet the challenges of our time head on. The following questions and answers, posed by Parker 8th graders and answered by our alumni, are insightful windows into how our teens experience and process these momentous years of transition in their lives. They are also strong testament to the confidence and character nurtured by a Parker education. We are proud to share their reflections with you, and we hope you will join us in celebrating all the learning that continues to shine through in our esteemed graduates. Did Parker prepare you for high school? “I felt very well prepared in terms of writing, completing assignments, taking tests, and particularly socially. Presentational skills are also something that I was very prepared for thanks to assemblies, thesis, and the musical.” ~Vera (Averill Park High School) “My experience is that the teachers also definitely want you to succeed. If you need help, you can always reach out to somebody. I think the good relationships I had with my teachers at Parker put me in a better position than most kids to realize that.” ~Charlie (Darrow School) How much free time or recess do you get per day? “I would say that was one of the biggest transitions for me coming from Parker to high school because Tech Valley’s outdoor space mainly consists of a traffic circle. We do have a 40-minute lunch block in the middle of the day, and so for the latter half of that block they let kids go play outside. We’ll play volleyball and sometimes football in the traffic circle. So we get recess, but not nearly as much. Definitely make sure you appreciate the natural space you have at Parker while you’re here.” ~Emmett (Tech Valley High School) Are there lots of tests and exams, and how do you prepare for them? “I go to a pretty conventional public school where tests are definitely more frequent than Parker. I would say finding a good study method that works for you is the best thing. Obviously, everyone learns in different ways, and it’s good to find something that works for you. Honestly, Parker helped me a lot in finding good study methods that worked for and have helped me to succeed in high school.” ~Silas (Voorheesville High School) “I am at Emma Willard, and we definitely have tests in every class, I would say every week. At first, at least for me, it was really scary to take a test, especially coming from Parker. I think it’s really easy to get caught up in the grade, and it’s really easy to compare yourself to others. That is something that I had to work on a lot…realizing that it’s not the end of the world if I get a bad grade. And also, a “bad” grade for somebody else may not be a bad grade for you.” ~Francesca (Emma Willard) How is it meeting new people after being at a small school like Parker? “Going to high school is very complicated socially. A lot of times, everybody already knows each other, and they all have these biases and history and reputations. You have to not put a lot of pressure on yourself when it comes to the social scene. I’ve gotten really used to just walking up to a lunch table and asking if I can sit with them, and then I get to know them over time. Don’t take the things people tell you about other classmates too seriously. Let yourself get to know them on your own terms. I joined cross country and track, and a lot of my greatest friends have come from that.” ~Caitlyn (Averill Park High School) “I joined the soccer team, so my practices started in August, which allowed me to make friends before school even started. By the time school started, I knew everybody – so they would all help me get to class on time. If I ever have a problem, I can always talk to them. To this day, some of my best friends are from my soccer team. So definitely think joining a team or a club that you’re interested in helps.” ~Will (Loudonville Christian School) How similar is Parker to high school, or is it really different? “Obviously grades are very different. There are tests at Parker, but they are definitely more frequent in high school. There is less recess time, but more independence. You will have free periods to study. They technically don’t make you study during your free periods, but it is going to be to your benefit to use that time effectively.” ~Emmett “There is definitely more independence. You need to stay on your grades because teachers aren’t checking up on you as frequently.” Lennox (LaSalle Institute) If you were going to redo your freshman year, is there anything that you would do differently? “I think even when I made friends in my freshman year, I was still really hesitant. It took me a long time to use my free time to go and hang out with new friends. It was really only halfway through the year that I had the courage to do that. I would definitely be more confident, and realize that people are generally nice and do want to hang out with me.” ~Vera “Be yourself and hold on to that younger energy that you have. I mean, we’re all still young. But don’t worry about what other people will think, and just be yourself.” ~Charlie

Do you have any advice for us as 8th graders in our last year at Parker? “Once you’re in high school, you’re going to look back and realize how good Parker really was. That happened to me. I realized how many fond memories I made, and how much I really loved school here.” ~Silas “You get a bunch of really fun opportunities at Parker, and you get to hang out with a lot of really fun people. Don’t wait to cherish that; enjoy it the whole time while you still have it.” ~Vera “Don’t be afraid to try new things. My 8th grade year, I didn’t try many new things which – looking back – I now wish I had tried to do. Some of the things I avoided doing because they were new or scary, and now they are now some of my favorite things to do.” ~Reid (Albany Academy) “Don’t take what you have for granted. Looking back, Parker was some of the best years of my life. Now that I’m in high school, a lot of the people I meet seem so regular and boring. I really appreciate how unique and authentic everyone at Parker was.” ~Emmett

A tremendous THANK YOU to our Class of 2024 for sharing their experiences and reflections with us!