Parish Episcopal School
History
For three decades the school (formerly The Parish Day School) has offered an enriched academic environment which has become well known for its contributions toward the development of students’ confidence, spiritual anchoring, and inclusive outlook. Parish was founded in 1972 for students through the elementary grades. The school began its 9-12 program with the addition of 50 ninth graders in the Fall of 2003.
The school today
Parish graduated its first senior class of approximately 46 students in May 2007 and 75 students graduated in May 2008. In five years, the Upper School has grown tremendously from 50 students to 380, from 5 teachers to more than 45. Guiding the school program and environment is The Parish Episcopal School mission: to provide an enriching and challenging educational experience within a Christian community of service and worship. In its efforts to afford students an enriched academic experience, the Upper School curriculum progresses from strong basic college preparation in the humanities and sciences to the challenges of AP curriculum in math, English, history, sciences, world languages, fine arts and computer. Students are expected to take a course of study which meets the requirements of major colleges and universities. Yet each is also encouraged to take risks, explore avenues of special interest, and combine studies with a healthy menu of extracurricular activities.
Announced in May 2007, the school began conducting a nationwide search for a new head of school. Current head of school, Gloria Snyder plans to retire in June 2009, after twenty-nine memorable and special years. After initialing fielding 75 highly qualified candidates, Parish announced in November 2008 that the new Head of School effective July 1, 2009 will be David Monaco.
Campus life
The Parish Midway campus comprises a state-of-the-art facility centered around a 337,000-square-foot (31,300 m2) academic building designed by the world renowned architecture team of I.M. Pei & Henry N. Cobb. A former Exxon/Mobil office complex, the building and its 50 acres (200,000 m2) have undergone a dramatic transformation from research center to an independent elementary and secondary school. The building soaring atrium has become a lively, central dining hall. The corridors are spacious walkways filled with natural light. Many of the classrooms overlook Farmer’s Branch Creek that flows along the north side of the campus. A two-story library has been retrofitted from a research center for Exxon/Mobil to a center for younger researchers, Parish Episcopal middle, high school and upper elementary students. The new Upper School includes science labs, a teaching darkroom, classrooms with smart boards, a world languages lab, and a counseling center. Each faculty member enjoys an individual office space. Surrounding this central building are wonderful new athletic facilities complete with gymnasium and playing fields and stadium. The original Hillcrest Campus is located 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Midway on the grounds of The Church of the Transfiguration. The Hillcrest environment provides the instructional spaces for the school pre-k through grade 2.
School colors, uniforms and Panther Pride
The school colors are red, blue, and white. The lower school uniform consists of a red plaid jumper with a puffy, white dress shirt underneath and simple white and black Keds for girls, and a white dress shirt with navy blue pants or shorts complete with a belt and black tennis shoes for boys. The current school uniform for middle and upper school consists of saddle-oxfords complete with knee socks, white dress shirts or polo shirts, and a red and navy plaid skirt for girls. With the exception of seniors, who gain the privilege of wearing navy blue shirts and knee socks. This privilege is shown great honor and respect by younger students, who await their turn to wear blue. For boys, the uniform consists of the same that is worn at the Hillcrest campus. However, in sixth grade the choice to wear a polo shirt is available. For upper-schoolers part of the Eucharist dress uniform is wearing a navy blue blazer and traditional navy blue ties, yellow for the senior boys. The girls in grades kindergarten through six wear ties that form a bow. While girls in grades seven through twelve must wear traditional men’s ties. Students are referred to only as “Parish Panthers” and there is some great interaction between students of all ages in the school’s Legacy program.
Religious life
A Christian school firmly rooted in the Episcopal tradition, Parish is an inclusive community grounded in respect and honor for each of its members. The religious pluralism of the school community provides a magnificent opportunity to foster the spiritual formation of its students from a variety of faith traditions. The phrase a hristian community of service and worship is incorporated into every aspect of student life and community service is required of each student. There are daily enriching chapel services and a weekly formal Eucharist service. The chapel services at the Hillcrest campus take place in the beautifully crafted Church of Transfiguration. Complete with stained glass windows and high ceilings it is a wonderful place for young children to discover and grow. The weekly eucharist services at the Midway campus provide an opportunity for all students in grades 5-12 to join together in praising and worshiping God. This service is complete with dress uniform, choral offerings from the middle school choir and Parish singers, and student servers who help to provide the communion. It is a formal and enriching time that students can cherish each week as they grow together in wisdom, honor, and service. Beginning in 8th grade there is a world religions study which is required and lower grades take part in age-appropriate religion classes.
Visual and Performing arts
The Parish Fine Arts Department is the hub of culture at Parish Episcopal School. Its dedicated team of professionally trained teachers brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the department. From pre-kindergarten through high school, Parish students are encouraged to express themselves through a variety of visual and performing arts. Parish offers its lower school students a chance to explore music, colors, art materials and techniques, shapes, patterns, and textures. As students move into the upper elementary and middle school grades, they are introduced to art and music from different cultures, as well as theory concepts. Students also receive continued choral training and are encouraged to audition for school productions. Middle and Upper School students learn photography, ceramics, studio art and sculpture, as well as drama productions, such as Flowers for Algernon, Footloose and Steel Magnolias, the school’s first Student-directed play.
Achievements
In spite of its young years, the Upper School has realized significant achievement from its students. Seven of the 2007 seniors received recognition through the National Merit Scholarship competition. Student performance has been rewarded with successful achievement on 81% of AP exams. In athletics, teams won championships in golf, tennis & swimming/diving through TAPPS state competitions. Numerous district and regional championships have also been won continuing the school’s long history of successfully combining academics and athletics. Middle school students received an article in the Dallas Morning News for their performance of the play, The Diviners. Student leadership is a high priority at the school with Student Government, Honor Council, the Community Service Leadership Board, yearbook, the student newspaper, Multicultural Club, Parish Singers, and National Honor Society among the many formal offerings to students. Also, the 5th grade baseball team in 2007 won the DPL championship because of a no hitter thrown by the pitcher. In 2008, the same team won the DPL championship again defeating Mary Immaculate 15-0. The pitcher threw a one hit shutout.
References
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External links
Parish Episcopal School website
v d e
TAPPS 5A
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Categories: Educational institutions established in 1972 | Elementary schools in Texas | Middle schools in Texas | Independent Schools Association of the Southwest | Episcopal schools in the United States | Private schools in Dallas, Texas | Preparatory schools in Texas | Private high schools in Dallas, TexasHidden categories: Texas articles missing geocoordinate data | All articles needing coordinates
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