The Francis W. Parker School is a private school in Chicago, Illinois, serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the school is based on the progressive education philosophies of John Dewey and Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, emphasizing community and citizenship. Tuition and fees range from $45,570 to $49,900.
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History
In 1899, Anita McCormick Blaine, interested in the unconventional education philosophy of Francis Wayland Parker, convinced him to establish an independent school in Chicago's North Side with her financial backing.
Founded in 1901, Parker boasts the first official parents' association as well as one of the first school newspapers to be written, typeset, and printed by students: The Parker Weekly, which began publishing in 1911.
Parker has 946 students, and has undergone considerable physical renovation between 2000 and 2009. Parker added an AstroTurf field which started construction in June 2012, and it was finished in September 2012. During the 2008–09 school year, the Auditorium was completely renovated, with new classrooms, more seating, office space and a balcony. In the 2016–17 school year, renovation began for the new Kovler family library. The new library includes a balcony, reading nooks, a Lego table, and movable bookshelves.
Parker school formerly published Schools: Studies in Education, a national education journal featuring the narrative and analytic reflections of educators and students nationwide.
Student activities
Athletics
Parker is part of the Independent School League (ISL) athletic conference, and its team name is the Colonel named after the school's founder, Colonel Francis Wayland Parker. In addition to Parker's colonel mascot, a new eagle mascot nicknamed "the Eagle" was introduced as an additional mascot as a way to better connect with younger students.
Notable alumni
Robert McCormick Adams Jr. – anthropologist
Paul Adelstein – actor (Prison Break, Private Practice, Intolerable Cruelty)
Jonathan Alter – journalist, author, and editor for Newsweek
Jennifer Beals – actress (Flashdance, Devil in a Blue Dress, The L Word)
Natalie Bergman – singer-songwriter
Margaret Bonds – composer, pianist, and activist
Leslie Buchbinder – documentary filmmaker
Seth Caplan – film producer
Sir Henry Channon – member of parliament (U.K.) and diarist
Gordon Davis – lawyer and civic leader
Carl Diehl – college football player
Bobby Florsheim – screenwriter
Eric Forsberg – filmmaker
Matt Friend – comedian
Chuck Gelatka – professional football player
Edward Gorey – writer and illustrator
Virginia Graham – talk show host
Justin Hall – pioneer blogger
Daryl Hannah – actress (Blade Runner, Splash, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Kill Bill: Volume 2)
Controversies
Project Veritas video
In 2022, the school drew national attention after Project Veritas released a secretly recorded video of a dean discussing optional sex-education programming that included LGBTQ+ health topics. The video prompted criticism from conservative groups and protests outside the school. Administrators stated that the footage was deceptively edited and that the programming was optional and age-appropriate, and reported increased security following the incident.
Athletic field lighting dispute
The school has been involved in a dispute with nearby residents over lighting at its athletic field in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Opponents cited concerns about noise, traffic, and light pollution, while the school argued the lights were necessary for athletics and student safety. The disagreement led to zoning and legal challenges.