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the parker difference


PROFILE OF A PARKER GRADUATE

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A PARKER GRADUATE

Parker is committed to developing students who:

  • strive for academic excellence while maintaining a balance of social and emotional well-being
  • possess the necessary skills, aptitude, and imagination to participate in the fundamental human conversation on what is right, fair, and good
  • think critically, write persuasively, and communicate confidently
  • are familiar with the cultural, political, historical, scientific, ethical, and economic forces shaping the world
  • possess the tools necessary to realize their individual talents and potential in their academic and professional lives
  • embrace the larger world through meaningful, age-appropriate opportunities for experiential education

SENIOR ENGAGEMENT 

>14000

Number of community service hours completed by Upper School students every year. 

Upper School students engage in annual internships with organizations such as:

Local, state, and federal politicians
San Diego Blood Blank
Qualcomm
B.M.W.
Mayo Clinic

"I realized my life goal was to become a lawyer after participating in speech and mock trial at Parker, as well as throughout enjoying my government and history classes. Parker also provided me with outstanding internships to expand my interests in the field of law.

- Parker Graduate

Independent school graduates who participate in experiential learning are more likely to be engaged at work and have higher rates of well being later in life.¹

LIFE SKILLS

Approximately

95%

of recent graduates felt that Parker helped prepare them with skills including:
Public Speaking
Contributing to Class Discussions
Taking a Leadership Role
Working Collaboratively on a Team
Balancing a Full Work Load
Being Creative and Innovative
Empathizing with Others
Appreciating and/or Participating in the Arts
Maintaining an Active & Healthy Lifestyle

RESOURCES & SUPPORT

950:1

The ratio of students to college counselors at CA Public Schools 

35:1

The ratio of students to college counselors at Parker

4    Full-Time College Counselors

3  Grade-Level Deans

1  In-House Test Prep Center

... to Help Parker Students Maximize Their College Application Process.

TEST SCORES

In 2020, Parker students scored an average of 310 points higher than the National Average on the SAT Test, and 10.9 points higher on the ACT test. 
"Parker gave me the confidence to believe I could accomplish great things, and it sparked my passion for non-profit work and helping the less fortunate."
- Parker Graduate 

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

The Class of 2020 will attend
76
different colleges across
22
states, Washington D.C. and two international countries.*

*As of June 2020.

82%

of seniors were admitted to a "most competitive" of "highly competitive" college in 2019. ¹

SUCCESS IN COLLEGE

100%

of 2019 Graduates Felt that Parker Prepared Them to Succeed in College. 

95%

Of Recent Graduates Currently Have a B Average or Higher at Their College.
Parker Graduates are More Likely to Complete College on Time, and Receive a Degree from the First College They Attend.

MOST COMMON MAJORS OF RECENT PARKER GRADUATES

MOST COMMON CAREER INTERESTS OF RECENT PARKER GRADUATES

Business

Engineering

Technology

Biological, Environmental, or Physical Sciences

English/Literature

Economics

Chemistry

Health-Related Fields

International Relations

Business

Medicine/Dentistry 

Law

Education

Science

Technology

Arts

Community Service / Social Sector

Journalism / Communications

1. NAIS-Gallup Report on NAIS graduates, INC.  2. According to List Provided by Barron's profiles of American colleges. 

Francis Parker School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 from across San Diego County. Parker's mission is to inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.

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Non-Discrimination Statement

Francis Parker School values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds. All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, creed, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  

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