Parkside Community School

Our son just started his second year at Parkside, in the 1^st-​2^nd-​3^rd grace class (lower elementary). We came to Parkside after 2 previous schools had not worked out, 50% because our kiddo was lagging in social-​emotional development and 50% because the staff in both cases didn’t know how to deal with that (or let us know about it in a timely fashion). Nothing clinical, just a class clown and a mimic who finds the wildest kid to buddy up to, you know? And when your kid is that kid AND he’s bored by the actual school activities, it’s a recipe for chaos.
So we needed a calmer environment for him and a place where he’d be very engaged in his work and encouraged to be a helpful member of the community. Parkside has knocked it out of the park. When we did a classroom observation before enrolling, we were shocked that there were so many kids in the room. They were working in small groups and everything was so smooth, we’d have guessed about 20 and there were maybe 28, with 2 teachers rotating through the groups giving lessons and help. Great classroom management. There’s also a big focus on «grace and courtesy» that has worked well for our kiddo to settle down.
The new campus on Slaughter is huge and I expect as they work on it over the next few years, it’s going to get even better. Parent communication is top notch, with newsletters both from the school and from the child’s classroom teachers. When we had an issue with things going on at school, we asked for a conference, and his teachers scheduled it immediately.
Very happy!

Our son will begin his first year in upper elementary this Fall (4^th grade). He began at Parkside as a first year in lower elementary (first grade, age six) and my husband and I cannot imagine there would have been a better school for our son’s early education.
In a word, Parkside is Exceptional. The balance between academics and creativity is near perfect. Our son’s knowledge of math, science, geography, and history are excellent — he could transfer to any school in the city and be at the top of his class. At Parkside our son loves to learn and has become a voracious reader and seeker of knowledge. At Parkside he is encouraged and nurtured in his passions.
I also love how from the get-​go our son and his classmates are taught kindness and respect for others and this really shines. The children are taught to resolve conflict with care and communication between them. I also love the vertical mentoring where the older children assist the younger children in the classroom, and the younger kids get to learn from the elders. During the three-​year cycle in a multi-​age classroom like this the children really thrive in their community. Community being the operative word at Parkside — not just the children but the parents and siblings as well. My husband and I have grown and learned ourselves thanks to Parkside’s emphasis on community building and good citizenship!
And thanks to Parkside’s twice yearly Cultural Challenge our son is a confident speaker and performer in front of large crowds and this confidence carries over into his day to day interactions with others and in everything he does.
The best testament to Parkside’s success as an elementary school is when we pick our son up in the afternoons and ask him how his day was. Each time his answer is the same: «Awesome!»
I wish I had gone to a school like Parkside when I was his age!

Our older daughter is completing her 5^th year at Parkside and our younger daughter is in her 3^rd. Our girls are thriving emotionally and academically and are presented with challenging material on a daily basis. The environment is incredibly supportive, and the focus on social and emotional learning has given our children an incredible foundation for their future. I wish every child could have an early education of this caliber, and am encouraged to see public and other private schools opening up to the proven Montessori methods embraced by this school. In all of our years (and we will be back for next year) with this school, we have not had one disappointment. Highly recommend Parkside!

We have two daughters at Parkside. Our experience has been very positive. As parents, we have found that our daughters are inspired and challenged at this school. The teachers are caring and make learning fun, while also setting proper limits and expectations. We appreciate this balance, and our daughters love their school.

Have been at Parkside with our daughter for three years and to say that the loving and caring environment are good for her would be an understatement. She is thriving, challenged (intellectually, socially and emotionally) and HAPPY. Worth checking out if you are considering Montessori for your children.

This is the cream of the crop when it comes to building the foundation for your child’s future. Everyone here is always warm and welcoming. I love that they are advocates for education, community, and the well being of our children.