The Park School of Buffalo

Infobox School3
name = The Park School of Buffalo


motto = Veritas et Gaudium, Truth and Joy
established = 1912
type = Private, Day
grades = Pre-K - 12
head_name = Headmaster
head = Christopher J. Lauricella
city = Snyder
state = New York
country = USA
free_label = campus
free = Suburban, 34 acres
students = 245
free_label2 = Student-teacher ratio
free2 = 8:1
school_colors = Orange, Brown
mascot = Pioneer
website = http://www.theparkschool.org/|www.theparkschool.org

The Park School of Buffalo is a private, college preparatory school located north of Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1912, the institution features lower, middle, and upper schools, serving roughly 245 students from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. [http://www.nysais.org/page.cfm?p=202] .

Faculty of the non-sectarian, co-educational school say they base their educational philosophy on that of John DeweyFact|date=March 2007, with an individualized approach to teaching. The school advertises "small classes, big results" as a demonstration of this goal. The school's mission statement consists of six goals: "to learn how to learn and enjoy learning, to engage creatively in the discipline of learning, to experience success and to risk failure, to practice freedom with responsibility, to transform challenge into opportunity, to be curious, to explore and to discover".Fact|date=March 2007

The school prides itself on its capacity to develop positive and meaningful student-teacher relationships built on respect, trust, and academic integrity. It is not uncommon for a master to leave his or her classroom during an exam. The school administration advertises that this sort of understanding negates any need for an official honor code.

The Buffalo Rapids of the ABA played home games at the school from November 2005 to February 2006.Fact|date=March 2007.

The current head of school is Christopher J. Lauricella.The current director of admission is Jennifer Brady

History

Originally located in downtown Buffalo, The Park School was founded in 1912 by a group of Buffalo parents seeking an alternative to already established institutions in the area. The group consulted with John Dewey, then observed one of his students, Mary Hammett Lewis, at Columbia University. Miss Lewis was invited to Buffalo to become the founding Headmistress. She later wrote a book, An Adventure with Children, describing her experiences at The Park School of Buffalo.

Campus

In 1920, Chauncey Hamlin, a prominent Buffalonian, President of the American Association of Museums and founder of the Buffalo Museum of Science, offered his estate to the Park School Board, which arranged for its purchase. The estate, in Snyder, featured a large mansion, farmhouse, barn, small forest, orchard and pond, and a stone house at the entrance. Two of the original buildings constructed in the late 19th century, and one historic building that was a part of the Underground Railroad in the early 1800s, are still used by the school.

The most notable of these buildings remains Hamlin Hall, where most of the Upper School classes are held. Additional buildings include Chapin Hall, Kimball Hall, Stone Hall, The Rich Activity Center, Helen Long Hall, the Clement Gymnasium, and a newly constructed Dining Hall, as well as a pool and tennis courts.

Traditions

Students at the Park School of Buffalo continue to engage in a variety of school traditions, many of them as old as the school itself. A Thanksgiving Feast is held annually, during which students from all three schools (Lower, Middle and Upper) assemble in the Dining Hall for a turkey dinner. The feast is traditionally prepared by the Upper School graduating class. Another notable though somewhat younger tradition is the Orange and Brown competition. Each newly admitted student is randomly assigned to a team representing one of the school's colors. The teams compete throughout the year, gaining points through a variety of athletic and academic events, with the annual winning color inscribed on a trophy.

School Hymn

The Park School Hymn, written in 1930, is traditionally sung at school gatherings and events. The lyrics are as follows: "Park School, we sing to thee, songs thou hast taught our eager youth. Hearts filled with love and loyalty, we give to follow in thy truth. We have striven at thy side, searched for heights at thy behest; there were no winds we did not ride, in seeking life in gallant quest. Park School, oh hear our song, born of joy and knowledge free. Fulfillment that we sought for so long, we ever attain-ed here in thee."

Park School Summer Camp

Each summer the school runs a summer day camp. Youths from throughout the Greater Buffalo region attend. Featured also are the Park School Soccer and Basketball Camps, held annually for boys and girls ages 8-14.

Clubs and Student Organizations

The Upper School is notable for the degree to which the student body is involved in administrative and decision-making processes. There is an active Student Government organization, which annually elects a voting representative to the school's Board of Trustees. The Ecology Club, Mock Trial organization, and Model UN Club are all popular among students.

See also

*Nichols School
*The Buffalo Seminary
*City Honors School
*Nardin Academy
*Canisius High School

External links

* [http://www.theparkschool.org/ Official web site]
* [http://www.nysais.org/page.cfm?p=202 New York State Association of Independent Schools Profile]