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“It seemed to me one of the most satisfying discoveries to myself of my life was when I felt that there was only one study in the world, and that was the study of life, and all studies center on that—the study of life.”
— Colonel Francis Wayland Parker
School Publications
Founded in 1901, Parker is one of the earliest progressive schools to practice a distinctive and thoughtful educational philosophy, which continues today. From the start, Parker has had a strong and clear commitment to education as articulated by its founders, practiced by its teachers and students and upheld by its parents and trustees.
Through its publications and public events, Parker furthers its mission by expanding learning beyond the classroom. The school remains an educational resource for Chicago and beyond as well as a place where people can actively explore new ideas and conversation thrives.
The Live Creature
An Invitation from Dan Frank
We know what a school should be. A school should be full of life. And Francis W. Parker School is full of life.
A school should pulsate with the energies of fully dedicated adults and students who trust in one another and in the humanitarian ideals that inspired the school’s founding.
At Parker, we reach for intimacy and expansiveness at the same time. Our students find confidence through our approach to developing skills, honing crafts and engaging in deep, soulful and sometimes surprising conversations. Our desire to nurture growth through learning in a diverse community enlivens connections among students, teachers and parents, as well as alumni. Our spirit drives us to broaden our understanding through relationships with people, ideas and history. This is how we know ourselves and fully engage as citizens and leaders in society and the world. This is how we build meaningful lives.
We know what a school should be. A school should be full of life. And Francis W. Parker School is full of life.
A school should pulsate with the energies of fully dedicated adults and students who trust in one another and in the humanitarian ideals that inspired the school’s founding.
At Parker, we reach for intimacy and expansiveness at the same time. Our students find confidence through our approach to developing skills, honing crafts and engaging in deep, soulful and sometimes surprising conversations. Our desire to nurture growth through learning in a diverse community enlivens connections among students, teachers and parents, as well as alumni. Our spirit drives us to broaden our understanding through relationships with people, ideas and history. This is how we know ourselves and fully engage as citizens and leaders in society and the world. This is how we build meaningful lives.
- Click here for the Spring 2024 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Fall 2023 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2023 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Spring 2022 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Fall 2021 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Spring 2021 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Summer 2020 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2020 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Spring 2019 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2019 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Summer 2018 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2018 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Spring 2017 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2017 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Summer 2016 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Fall 2015 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Spring 2015 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Fall 2014 issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2014 Issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Summer 2013 Issue of The Live Creature
- Click here for the Winter 2013 Issue of The Live Creature
Schools Journal
Since 2004, Parker has edited an international education journal now published by the University of Chicago Press. In Schools, writers explore the subjective experience of school life through compelling narratives, detailed descriptions and thoughtful commentary about the emotional life of teaching and learning in schools, JK–12. Andy Kaplan serves as editor and Dan Frank as executive editor. More information about the Schools Journal is available here via the University of Chicago Press.
From 1912 to 1932, the Francis W. Parker School faculty published its own journal, Studies in Education. Electronic versions of archived copies of Studies in Education are available here via the University of Chicago Press.
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.