Parker School (Kamuela, Hawaii)

Parker School is an accredited small, independent, co-educational day school for students in grades K-12 located in Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii. The school offers a complete K-12 college-preparatory program in separate facilities for lower, middle and upper school students.

The school's mission is, "At Parker School, every student is known, valued and nurtured. Our small-school setting and dynamic program foster confident, compassionate individuals who are thoroughly prepared for college, who enthusiastically engage in life and who positively contribute to an ever-changing global community." Excellence, integrity and compassion are the cornerstones of the school's mission. Small class sizes, 'ohana (family-like) atmosphere, and a diverse, caring and talented faculty combine to produce a well-rounded educational environment and experience for more than 320 students. The school's unique environment cultivates the qualities necessary for students to succeed in today's interconnected world: creativity, curiosity, resilience, constructive risk-taking and teamwork.

Student interests are stimulated, building skills and knowledge in all areas of life, including: the physical, intellectual, musical, artistic and altruistic. In addition, students enjoy a rigorous academic program; hands-on experiential learning; an excellent arts program; leadership opportunities; exciting extra-curricular activities such as debate, athletics, drama and dance; opportunities for hands-on community service; a nurturing atmosphere; and a true sense of ‘ohana, extended family.

Fully accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Parker School was established in 1976 by community leaders and has been an important community resource for nearly four decades.

Sports

Parker School is part of the BIIF (Big Island Interscholastic Federation), which is the Hawaiʻi island league, and the HHSAA (Hawaii High School Athletic Association), which hosts the Hawaii State Tournaments. Parker competes against all high schools on the island regardless of size. Parker offers boys and girls cross country, soccer, volleyball, paddling, and tennis.

Academics

Parker school has produced two Presidential Scholars, eight National Merit Semifinalists and numerous AP scholars.

Presidential Scholars

2013 Paul Gregg[1]
2014 Lysha Matsunobu[2]

National Merit Semifinalists

2008 Erica Warkus[3]
2011 Edward Hon, Mary Kamitaki, Elliot Warkus[4]
2012 Kieran Najita[5]
2013 Paul Gregg, Aidan Wharton[6]
2014 Lysha Matsunobu[7]

The Parker Debate Team competes in the Hawaii Speech League and earned National Forensics League "100 Club" recognition in 2009.[8] Parker won the State Championship in 2013[9] and has qualified several students to compete in the national championship.[10][11]

National Debate Tournament Qualifiers

2012 Jesse Tarnas, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
2012 Tyler McCullough, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
2013 Paul Gregg, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
2014 Jaren Ashcraft and Luke Potter, Public Forum
2014 Carrie Hiller, Lincoln-Douglas Debate

History of Parker School

Established in 1976 by several North Hawai'i community leaders, Parker School became an independent day school to serve the area's high school students. Initially, the school was opened to serve grades 9 through 12.

Middle school grades were added in 1977 and, in 2005, Parker School became a full curriculum school with the addition of kindergarten through 5th grade. They continue to grow as our community, and its needs, grows. In 2007, a new Lower School campus opened to house the newly expanded kindergarten thru 5th grades.

Parker School emphasizes continuity of education and encourages students to attend for their entire lower and high school education. Small class sizes (fewer than 30 students per grade) let teachers cater their instruction to individuals.

Parker School is fully accredited in grades K-12 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS). It is located at 65-1224 Lindsey Road, in Waimea (post office Kamuela), 20°1′17″N 155°40′9″W / 20.02139°N 155.66917°W / 20.02139; -155.66917Coordinates: 20°1′17″N 155°40′9″W / 20.02139°N 155.66917°W / 20.02139; -155.66917.

Timeline

1976 Parker School founded
1977 Middle school grades added
1978 Richard Smart, owner of Parker Ranch endows school
1995 Parker School purchases campus
2005 Parker School begins Lower School program
2007 New Lower School campus opens

References

  1. ↑ http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/2013/scholars.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/2014/scholars.pdf
  3. ↑ http://parkerschool.info/news%20archive.html
  4. ↑ http://www.hawaii247.com/2010/09/17/parker-school-announces-national-merit-scholarship-program-semifinalists/
  5. ↑ http://www.hawaii247.com/2011/09/22/parkers-najita-a-national-merit-scholarship-semi-finalist/
  6. ↑ http://www.parkerschool.net/index.php/student-life/news-a-publications/47-two-parker-school-seniors-national-merit-scholarship-semi-finalists
  7. ↑ http://www.hawaii247.com/2013/10/10/matsunobu-named-national-merit-scholarship-semifinalist/
  8. ↑ http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/parker-school-debate-team-makes-national-forensic-leagues-prestigious-100-club.html
  9. ↑ http://westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/parker-school-debate-team-delivers-state-championship.html
  10. ↑ http://westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-features/parker-students-compete-debate-nationals.html
  11. ↑ http://bigislandnow.com/2014/04/22/three-parker-school-debaters-qualify-for-national-tournament/

External links

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