Testimonials
The progressive approach to education has our children deeply engaged
In the summer of 2020, my family and I moved upstate from New York City where my two children had attended a well-regarded K-8 school in downtown Manhattan. In the city, they loved attending school every day and we were hoping to find a school upstate with a similar approach to education: engaged, project-based learning, focused on creativity and critical thinking, a place where students’ thoughts and ideas were valued, respected and furthered by passionate teachers. We soon discovered The Parker School was an exact fit for us. The progressive approach to education has our children deeply engaged from drop-off to pick-up each day, where they are learning both in the classroom and outdoors on the incredibly dynamic 77-acre campus.
I can’t recommend Parker enough!
Fast forward a few years, and our two children are thriving – one as a current Parker middle schooler and the other as a confident 9th grader. Their Parker educations prepared them to be independent thinkers, risk-takers, creators, open-minded citizens, caring friends, and engaged learners. I can’t recommend Parker enough!
Parker is truly a special place
Parker is truly a special place. The expansive outdoor spaces for kids to play, the pond, stream, and acres of forests are magical. But what is truly outstanding is the learning going on inside the school. On my first visit to Parker years ago, I observed kids who were joyful, happy, and engaging with their peers and teachers in a way I had never seen. Classroom teachers spoke with passion and excitement for their curriculum and it was clear they loved teaching. We immediately transferred our first-grade son out of his current school and enrolled him at Parker. From that point on, he never came home complaining about school or being ‘bored.
Parker gave him a strong foundation
Our son attended Parker from kindergarten through 8th grade, and thrived there. Parker’s progressive approach values play in early childhood, engages students with meaningful academics and supports age-appropriate social-emotional development. The teachers get to know each student, and help them bring out their unique strengths and abilities. Parker students learn to be active participants in their learning, and ultimately, in the world beyond themselves. We loved that they used the outdoors extensively, recognizing kids’ need to move and the value of learning and observing the natural world. Even middle schoolers get recess! Now that our son is a high school freshman, he is academically prepared, self-motivated, able to self-assess, and comfortable asking questions and checking in with his teachers. He is also empathetic and thoughtful. Parker gave him a strong foundation!