Parish Episcopal School (Lower Campus)

Our daughter is just finishing her first year at Parish in Pre-K1 (3 year olds & young 4's). She has enjoyed the school since she arrived. The school day begins at 7:50 drop off and ends at 2:30pm for this group if you take advantage of the full day program. The school has aftercare until 6pm. From 2:30 until 5pm there are a variety of additional classes that a pre-K1 student can be enrolled in. This program is called EXTEND. Our daughter has enjoyed a variety of EXTEND classes. The parents have been very welcoming. Our daughter has quickly developed a wonderful group of friends that she enjoys seeing every day. She has learned quite a bit from phonics & numbers to understanding how a chicken is hatched from an egg in STEM. My daughter loves the daily 15 minute (perfect for that age) chapel, library, STEM, music, kids catering, etc... She has stayed engaged at school. When our daughter needed some help with her letters, the staff helped me coordinate an in-school tutor to give her the one-on-one time she needed to understand her letters. The parents have been welcoming arranging soccer for the class and participating in kids catering and parent readers.
—Submitted by a parent

Part 1 of 2 We were very excited to send our 3 year old boy to the PRE-K1 program. He had attended Carpie Diem in Richardson for a year and a half without incident. Trouble surfaced about three weeks into the school when we got an email with a laundry list of issues that more or less boiled down to him not paying attention, goofing off, and not listening to the adults. The email had a vague threat that immediate improvement was required. We tightened the discipline at home, had a meeting with the teacher (where we were assured that Parish was the right place for him, due to all the specialists on staff who would give Jonathan special assessment) and seemingly got past it. For a few months we continued to get reports of childish behavior and getting distracted/distracting others, but in socializing with the other parents, our son didn t stick out as abnormally childish for his age. A number of other parents (of boys) were in trouble for active boy behavior. Parish has a lot of parents volunteering, and word starting getting around about boys in the class being routinely disciplined but parents not being told by the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Part 2 of 2 Two weeks ago we had a sit down with the staff where we were told that our son would occasionally have to be pulled from circle time or story time for goofing off. Still, we though the meeting was positive and cordial. We compared notes on discipline to make sure consequences were the same at home and school. The staff assured us that all the behaviors of my son were all normal. Just wait it out. Then yesterday we got an email that our son is disruptive in class, and in the future we would be called to pick him up if he disrupted things. My wife called to say that seemed extreme and was this really not called for, and didn t get anywhere. At that point we could not go further with Parish. We both work and to have our son sent home because the teacher had a bad day or the boys were rowdy but out son was the one to pay for it was just not acceptable to us. We asked for and will get the unused tuition back. Bottom line? In my opinion, Parish is ok if your pre-K1 boy is quiet and reserved. We already were looking at other schools, however, because we felt the staff was really just working to retire, and just didn t have the patience to work with bouncing boys.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have attended Parish for 10 years. One child graduated in 2011, one is in high school and one is in lower elementary. So we have experienced every division and campus of this school multiple times over many years. We highly, highly recommend Parish. The academics, athletics and arts programs are excellent. And the school and administration are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate. Of course, no school is perfect. But any issues we have experienced or heard about over the years have been addressed. And isn't that what you want in a school? When our older children were in middle school and we asked if they wanted to consider applying someplace else, they both said absolutely not. And when it came time to apply for our youngest, we looked nowhere else. When he graduates in 2023, we will have had a 20-year relationship with Parish. I think that speaks volumes about the kind of school Parish is.
—Submitted by a parent

I am schocked at how many students repeat grades, however, their is no primer classes and maybe that has something to do with it. It is a great school, but not prepared to handle gifted children. Having said that I not sure their is any school who handles or really understands gifted kids. Communication with parent and staff/teachers is poor. Very set in their rules with no room for change in their lower school. Perhaps head of lower school needs to retire.
—Submitted by a parent

This review really should be a part of the total school review since both campuses function well as one unit. We now have a five year history with the school and our three students range from Pre-K to Middle School. We love this school more every year. The teachers and other parents are wonderful. Beginning at 3rd grade they will transition to the amazing facility which is the upper campus. We'd say that there is a more flexible and nurturing environment for the younger students (as you might expect). The spaces are ample, and cozy, too, at the lower campus. You must visit both campuses and imagine how much your students will enjoy being a part of the Parish Community!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great! What else can you ask for. It is good academically and athletically. It is pre-k through 12 grade. My kids love it. It is well worth it.
—Submitted by a parent

Parish has a wonderful history and is continuing that tradition as it adds grades. The first graduating class will be in 2007. Strong faculty and outstanding parental involvement. THe physical facilty is top rate.
—Submitted by an administrator

My daughter has had a wonderful experience at Parish. I would say that of all the private schools in Dallas its the most grounded.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, great parent involvement. Pricey tuition. All in all has been a good experience for our 2 kids, but not sure it's worth the $$.
—Submitted by a parent

The Parish Day School is a really great school. All the teachers are willing to reach out and take part in every child's education. The staff is loving and kind and makes a child's day fantastic. Parents are involved very often. There is a Parent's Association club that a lot of Parish parents are involved in and it is a great thing. It is very family like and supportive. My child wants to graduate from high school here and she told me that she never wants to leave.
—Submitted by a former student

My child is in the PRE-K program. Orginally I had thought that it was a great school and I was very excited for my child to be able to go there. However, I have discovered that they want to hold my child back for somewhat unsound reasons that will result in my child graduating at 19. These children are only 4 years old and the school year is just half over, but I was asked to sign my contract for next year with the clause that my child is to repeat the PRE_K program. There are two other families faced with the same situation. Oddly enough we are the three lowest on the economic food chain.
—Submitted by a parent