Strategic Plan

The Source

Nearly 125 years ago, Parker took a bold stand: education should joyfully connect students to the realities of life and grow character through work requiring courage, responsibility, and thoughtful engagement. This educational philosophy, coined more than a century ago as Progressive, calls for continuous reinvention. It builds intellectual agility, ethical leadership, and an enthusiasm for learning by inviting students to be active participants in their education—doing, creating, and collaborating rather than merely observing. The Parker Spark represents the conditions that fuel curiosity, cultivate community, and give rise to civic purpose—and the care required to sustain them over time. It is the flash inside the bulb of a bright idea and the flicker of possibility in a student’s eye. This Source illuminates Parker’s Strategic Vision for the years ahead. It is organized around four elements known as Sparks.

The Elements

List of 4 items.

  • Sparks

    The sparks represent four core areas of incandescent learning experience that radiates far beyond the classroom:

  • Catalysts

    Catalysts are high-leverage initiatives within each Spark designed to accelerate progress. This is not the only work Parker will undertake over the next three to five years, but they represent priorities the school will intentionally place at the center of our collective effort.

  • Why Light This Fire Now?

    These initiatives are urgent, timely, and essential to advancing Parker’s mission in this moment.

  • What’s Catching On?

    Each year, Parker administrators will report to the Board of Trustees and Educational Council on progress across the Sparks. These updates will include measures of success and a detailed action plan to track short-, mid-, and long-term progress.
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Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.