Progressive Education - Francis Parker School of Louisville

What is Progressive Education?

The Progressive school movement was founded by John Dewey and Francis Parker in the early 1900s as a response to the assembly line, “one-size-fits-all” education model. Progressive schools, on the other hand, believe that students achieve milestones at different rates and therefore their education should be customized for individual students as much as possible. Like Francis Parker, Progressive schools are student-centered, community service-minded, diverse, experiential, and participatory; they require students to be fully engaged participants in the learning process.

Development of the Individual Student

Francis Parker School of Louisville considers each student as an individual imbued with strengths and challenges. Emphasizing active, experiential learning, problem-solving, self-expression, critical thinking, collaboration, and healthy discussion in every classroom, Francis Parker strives to prepare young people effectively for the challenges of higher education, civic involvement, and a successful life as an adult.

Francis Parker Louisville Private School Progressive Education

Progressive Education Community

As a community composed of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and life experiences, we ask of all our members that the tolerance, respect, and imagination required for responsible citizenship and global understanding be elements of daily practice. Throughout our program, students learn the ethical dimensions of issues, which helps them to use their talent and knowledge with wisdom, compassion, creativity, and integrity. We teach our students how to think, not what to think.

Francis Parker School of Louisville by Division

Our Progressive education model is articulated distinctively within each Division of the School. Francis Parker serves the whole student, from early development to young adulthood, by encouraging students to achieve a broader understanding of themselves and our world.

HIGH SCHOOL

The downtown location allows students to interact on a regular basis with the urban community, and the open campus teaches students to balance freedom with responsibility. Coming to know and negotiate their environment, our students develop self-reliance and sophistication.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

At Francis Parker’s Middle School (grades 5 – 8), our goal is to inspire a true love of learning in our students. Our open classroom environment, coupled with our pastoral, rural setting, creates an idyllic educational experience that is positive and joyful.

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LOWER SCHOOL

In Francis Parker’s Lower School (grades JK – 4), our goal is to inspire a true love of learning in our students. Our open classroom environment, coupled with our pastoral, rural setting, creates a positive, joyful educational experience for children.

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PRESCHOOL

The Francis Parker Preschool is a joyful place that seeks to foster curiosity and wonder. We believe that allowing students to explore, investigate, and create is the perfect medium for motivating learning.

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You belong here.

Learn more about our innovative, student-first approach to education and be the first to know about admission events and application deadlines.

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Come and take a tour!

We would love to host you for a tour of our unique facilities where you can meet some of our exceptional staff of educators. Let’s see how we can partner together to prepare your student to thrive at Francis Parker.

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Ready to get started?

Start an application and schedule a placement test for your child today. We’ll be with you for every step. We look forward to stewarding your child through their educational journey at Francis Parker School of Louisville.

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