Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Francis W. Parker School
type = Private
established = 1901
city = Chicago
state = Illinois
country = USA
grades = Junior kindergarten–twelfth
mascot = Colonel Parker
newspaper = "The Weekly"
website = [http://www.fwparker.org fwparker.org]

Francis W. Parker School is an independent day school serving students from junior kindergarten through grade twelve of high school. Located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the school is based on the progressive educational philosophies of John Dewey and Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, emphasizing community and citizenship.

Founded in 1901, Parker boasts the first official parents' association as well as the oldest student-run newspaper, the "Weekly", in a North American secondary school [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZaMWAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA103&lpg=PA103&dq=%22the+weekly%22+francis+w+parker&source=web&ots=sCKmxhGRyw&sig=u7M4KlQtNioE1JnNKaxgdxpzOmw&hl=en#PPA99,M1] .

Parker has approximately 900 students, and has, over the last decade, undergone tremendous physical renovation. During the 2007-08 school year, the Auditorium will be completely renovated, complete with new classrooms, office space and balcony [http://www.fwparker.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=1169&srcid=1169] .

Parker recently announced that the University of Chicago will take over publishing responsibilities for the day school's publication of "Schools: Studies in Education", a national education journal featuring the narrative and analytic reflections of educators and students nationwide. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-5984(192009)21%3A1%3C76%3AFWPSSI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C]

The Principal is Dr. Dan Frank. The current student body president is Stephen Mrowiec.

The Francis W. Parker School is a member of the Chicago Independent School League.

Notable alumni

* Paul Adelstein, actor
* Brendan Kelly, musician
* Jonathan Alter, journalist
* Jennifer Beals, actress
* Justin Hall, pioneer blogger
* Jaime Hammer, Model
* William W. Freehling, historian and writer
* Edward Gorey, writer and illustrator
* Daryl Hannah, actress
* Peter Jacobson, actor
* Anne Heche, actress
* David Mamet, playwright
* Alec Michod, novelist
* Bobby Florsheim, screenwriter
* Barney Rossett, editor
* Jeremy Sisto, actor
* Ping Tom, civic leader
* Jon Morris, entrepreneur
* Jacob Weisberg, journalist, editor of "Slate"
* Joseph Weisberg, author
* Jordan Weisman, founder of FASA & WizKids
* Billy Zane, actor
* Lisa Zane, actress, vocalist
* Megan O'Connor, soccer star
* Alex Sharrin, professional drummer
* Jonny Levin, 3 time olympic runner and silver medalist
* Joan Mitchell, abstract expressionist painter
* Celeste Holm, actress
* Katharine Holabird, author
* Edith Pattou, author
* Elise Paschen, poet
* Dave Specter, blues guitarist
* Brad Thor, author
* Hillary Wolf, actress & two time U.S Olympian

References

Joseph Flynn - Author

External links

* [http://www.fwparker.org/ Francis W. Parker School's Official Site]