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Portrait of a Parker Graduate

A Parker graduate...

  • Is confident in their independent thought and voice
  • Has self-knowledge and self-direction as a learner
  • Is passionate about learning and committed to academic and intellectual integrity
  • Is a flexible, critical thinker
  • Communicates effectively and clearly
  • Works collaboratively
  • Demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility with respect, kindness, understanding, and engagement in a diverse world

Parker prepares

Graduates of Parker attend independent day or boarding schools, or their local public high school. No matter where they continue their education, Parker students find they are well prepared for advanced-level work and new friendships: they leave Parker confident in their abilities, both intellectually and socially.

Our graduates are sought after by area private schools, and whether they attend private or public school after Parker, secondary schools have noted the effect that our thoughtful educational environment has on our graduates. Parker students are seen as analytical thinkers, capable participants, student leaders and confident presenters in their high schools. Parker graduates understand how to advocate for themselves, and after the close relationships they have had with their Parker teachers, our graduates are confident about seeking help, asking questions, and engaging in conversations with the adults in their new school communities.

Parker’s secondary school placement process is personalized and begins in the fall of the eighth grade year. We keep in touch with recent graduates and their families, incorporate feedback into our program, and use our network to mentor the eighth graders through the high school placement process.

For students considering independent schools:

Faculty and the Head of School advocate for our students by writing comprehensive, thoughtful recommendations and communicating closely with schools. Our narrative reports provide a thorough, personal and in depth picture of each student. Our graduates attend schools that are well matched to their personal goals and the next step in their educational careers.

For students considering public schools:

Parents contact the high school guidance counselor in their district to talk about requirements and choices for courses. Parker's Director of Academics can also be in touch with guidance counselors to recommend placement.

Parker graduates choose both public and independent high school options.

Here are some of their choices:

Private High Schools:

  • Academy of the Holy Names
  • Adirondack School
  • Albany Academy
  • Berkshire School
  • Buxton School
  • Catholic Central High School
  • Concord Academy
  • Darrow School
  • Deerfield Academy
  • Doane Stuart School
  • Emma Willard School
  • Hoosac School
  • The Hotchkiss School

 

  • The Masters School
  • The Marvelwood School
  • Middlesex School
  • Milton Academy
  • Northfield Mount Herman School
  • The Peddie School
  • Phillips Academy Andover
  • Phillips Academy Exeter
  • Proctor Academy
  • The Putney School
  • Trinity (NYC)
  • Williston Northampton School

Public High Schools

  • Albany
  • Averill Park
  • Bethlehem
  • Brittonkill
  • Chatham
  • Columbia
  • East Greenbush
  • Guilderland
  • Ichabod Crane
  • Maple Hill
  • Niskayuna
  • Shaker
  • Shenendahowa
  • Troy

Parker graduates attend some of the top colleges in the nation. Here is a list of colleges and universities that Parker graduates are currently attending or have attended in the last ten years.

  • American University
  • Bard College
  • Bennington College
  • Berklee College of Music
  • Boston University
  • Bowdoin College
  • Brandeis University
  • Brown University
  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Colorado College
  • Cornell University
  • Drew University
  • Duke University
  • Hampshire College
  • Harvard University
  • Hudson Valley Community College
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Kenyon College
  • Leslie University
  • George Washington University
  • Georgetown University Law School
  • Goucher College
  • MIT
  • NYU
  • Oberlin College
  • Princeton University
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Sarah Lawrence College
  • Smith College
  • SUNY Albany
  • SUNY Binghamton
  • SUNY Geneseo
  • SUNY New Paltz
  • SUNY Purchase
  • Stanford University
  • Swarthmore College
  • Trinity College
  • Trinity College, Cambridge University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Rochester
  • University of Southern California
  • Vassar College
  • Wesleyan College
  • Yale University