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Francis W. Parker School

The Francis W. Parker School offers a superior education through innovative programs. It is organized into a Lower School (Junior Kindergarten through Fifth), Middle School (Sixth through Eighth), and Upper School (Ninth through Twelfth).

The school was founded in 1901 by Colonel Francis W. Parker and Mrs. Anita McCormick Blaine. Reflecting the ideas and ideals of Parker and John Dewey, the school creates an environment where students learn not by being told but through firsthand experience. In an embryonic democracy, they grow as individuals and as members of a community.

Guided by an exceptional faculty, students are involved in challenging, purposeful experiences––searching and inquiring, cooperating with others as they work, and sharing with others as they know and learn. Students develop their imaginations, their self-confidence, their willingness to take risks, and their ability to think for themselves. As a direct result, they gain the skills they need to become lifelong learners.

The student body represents a broad spectrum of economic, social, and cultural backgrounds. All voices are valued and the school seeks to build relationships of trust through shared activities and continual searches for common ground and connections. All students are involved in age-appropriate services activities. The vast resources of Chicago and its suburbs are used to augment classroom experiences as students and faculty take their learning into the larger community.

The school is contained within one building on 5.2 acres of land on the near north side, adjacent to Lincoln Park. In addition to classrooms, the school includes three gymnasiums, a large auditorium, a conference center, a well-equipped outdoor playground, and an athletic field. Recent building renovations have resulted in new classrooms throughout the school, a modern science center, another full-sized gymnasium, a conference center, and a new library.

Application deadlines:
Lower School (JK-5): December 15
Middle and Upper Schools (6-12): December 1; rolling admission after that date.

Financial aid:
Because of its commitment to economic diversity, the Francis W. Parker School provides more than $2 million annually for financial aid.

After-school programs:
“Parker PM,” an extended day program for kindergarten through fifth grade.

Summer program available.
Information and registrations re available on the school's web site www.fwparker.org

Summer camp:
For children 4-18 years old.

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francis parker

Address:
330 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

Contact:
Admission Office

Phone:
773-797-5107 (for grades JK-5)
773-797-5110 (for grades 6-12)

Fax:
(773) 549-0587

Web:
www.fwparker.org