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a great k-12 school. although it lacks diversity, it has a very progressive atmosphere. Teachers and students have great relationships throughout your Francis Parker experience. I have teachers I remember from lower school that I still know and say hi to. Parker also does a great job with combining the high school, middle school, and lower school. Parker also has a lovely assembly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday where all students are brought together to see a speaker or student put on what we call a Morning Ex. Overall Parker has a very unique teaching style that can create, not only intelligent students, but great people.
As a parent of a couple Parker children I too agree that the education is good - but is it worth $25,00 a year per child with a need to give $2500 more per child (donation) annually - NO! The pressure to give give give is insane. And the demands to do do in this rough economy is disturbing. The tuition soars each year minimum of 6% with the care or end in sight. The principal has no concerns about where parents will find this extra money to pay.
As a parent of a child at Parker, new parents have a right to a more balanced view of the school than the brochure-postings placed previously. Yes, the education is great but not the best - I have visited other private schools to check out the competition - others are good too. Parker also comes at a price. Parents have to constantly 'jump hoops' to stay part of the 'community'. There is a constant pressure to be active in the 'community', to constantly donate to various fund-raising efforts. Every week, there are requests for donations. There is also the indoctrination of both kids and parents that I find mildly disturbing - that there is nowhere like Parker, no where is as good, no where as wonderful. An almost mindless ra-ra-ra of self-congratulation that we have attained nirvana. Come on - we all need to get real.
I attended Parker for 14 years from Junior-K through the end of high-school and I feel confident in saying it is an excellent place to learn. At Parker, a child gets more than the chance to learn from great teachers in a comfortable and challenging environment... at Parker, a child gets a chance to develop gradually and naturally into a confident, hard-working and unique individual.
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