Intermediate School - old

    • John Novick

Head of Intermediate and Middle Schools
773.797.5119

    • Tray White

Dean of Student Life for Intermediate and Middle Schools
773.797.5203

    • Tierra Moore

Intermediate and Middle Schools Coordinator
773.797.5351
On behalf of our Intermediate School faculty and staff, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Parker. We are looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth for our students and for all members of our community. Please contact me at 773.797.5119 or jnovick@fwparker.org if you have questions or would like to meet this summer. In addition, please be sure to click through the Intermediate School Family Event List and Information Timeline on this site for details about important events for your family in the months ahead.
 
As for the purpose of Intermediate School, late childhood, ages nine to eleven-years old, offers fertile ground for broadening perspectives, recognizing complexity and taking the first tentative steps toward abstract thinking, becoming self-aware, embracing new responsibilities, and beginning to shift focus from one’s self to one’s community. Intermediate School students are earnest, available for learning, eager to connect with teachers and classmates, and excited by complexity and opportunities to demonstrate independence. They enjoy learning through free exploration, yet benefit from limits on that freedom in order to begin to discriminate and evaluate their own thought processes. They are eager to take on greater responsibility for their own lives (perhaps even more eager than prepared). But with the thoughtful, consistent guidance of teachers who understand and appreciate the exciting potential of this age, students engage in activities in and out of the classroom that provide hands-on practice at self-organization, prioritization, and collaboration with others. Intermediate School teachers create situations, intentionally, where their students can engage safely in activities that challenge them to practice these skills, followed by reflection, feedback, and renewed efforts. At this stage, an integrated approach—with life beyond academics providing frequent opportunities to apply what has been learned intellectually—is crucial to promoting maturity and growth. In late childhood, the social-emotional and intellectual needs of students are equal in importance, and at times, even indistinguishable. To learn more about our shared work with you in honoring this beautiful and unique stage of human development for the learning and well-being of your child, click here.

Welcome to Intermediate School at Parker!

Learning More About Intermediate School...

So that you have more than enough information to prepare you and your family for the transition to Parker, please feel free to explore some information specific to the Intermediate School. 
Please note: As new information becomes available, we will continue to update this page. Please check back this summer for more information. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and potential restrictions related to this, all events, programming (including Summer and Extended Day Programs at Parker), athletics and other activities, may be cancelled, rescheduled or restructured as new policies and procedures arise. As always, we will structure all of our programs and schedules in accordance with safety recommendations. Parker is working on plans for this fall and hopes to communicate this plan to all families in early August.
330 West Webster Avenue | Chicago, Illinois 60614 | 773.353.3000
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.