Francis W. Parker School

Francis W. Parker School is an independent day school serving students from junior kindergarten through grade twelve of high school. Located in Chicago's Lincoln Park, the school is based on the progressive educational philosophies of John Dewey and Francis Wayland Parker, emphasizing community and citizenship.

Related Topics:
Kindergarten - Chicago - Lincoln Park - John Dewey - Francis Wayland Parker

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Founded in 1901, Parker boasts the first official parents' association and the oldest student-run newspaper in North America, the Weekly.

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Parker's student government is unique in that it is supposedly the only school in the nation where meetings are attended by the entire student body as a regular class period. One of many traditions at Parker, full participation in student government is consistent with a motto by founder Colonel Parker: "A school should be a model home, a complete community, an embryonic democracy."

Related Topics:
Student government - Student body - Motto

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Similarly, the egalitarian spirit (often taken for granted by the students) extends to other sport and extra-curricular activities. Unlike most schools with a "cut" or other hierarchy system, participation is fluid and open to all students.

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