Robert C Parker School

4254 New York 43

Wynantskill, NY 12198

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 27, 2023

The Robert C Parker school has exceeded my expectations in nearly every way! Our daughter has blossomed there, and we credit the Parker teaching method, teachers and culture for helping to bring the best out in her!I admit that I was skeptical of the Montessori system, and private schools in general. We visited several Montessori schools before choosing Parker, and the decision wasn't easy. But I am so happy that we went through with it and I can't imagine our daughter going anywhere else at this point.Reg H.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2022

Parker is a special place. My daughter is excited to go to school everyday, the teachers are top notch, and campus is beautiful! So glad we made the switch. Worth every penny.
Submitted by student on April 01, 2021

I'm an 8th grader at Robert C. Parker School and I truly love it. At Parker, students are heard and teachers are open to new ideas from students. For example, my classmates and I were in music class learning how to play the guitar and we thought of how cool it would be to start a band. The teacher was so supportive and helped start it. Each of my classmates plays a different instrument in the band and we have learned so many songs. We also have a lot of fun. I also love the small classes because everyone gets really close. The teachers also make learning fun and we start to develop a good relationship with them. I'm 100% sure that I will stay in contact with all the friends I made and all the great teachers I have met in the past 3 years.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2021

My children cannot wait to school every morning! My one daughter wrote a story about pitching a tent near the pond and staying at the school over the weekend. My children's access to nature is vital to our family and our children get to not only play on playgrounds, but romp in streams, build outdoor classrooms and play games in the forest. My children are emerging as curious and confident learners who embrace challenge and community. I cannot recommend the Parker School enough.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2021

Our son started at Parker school in 2020. In the past 7 months he has come alive academically. His reading and writing have progressed beyond our wildest dreams. He wakes up excited for school every day and comes home chattering about all he learned during the day. The campus is beautiful and an incredible resource for both education and recess. His teachers are master educators. In short, Parker school is EXACTLY what school should be-- rigorous, self-directed, individualized, and broken up with plenty of outdoor time for young kids. We highly recommend the school to everyone and plan on sending our other children as well.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2021

From the moment we stepped foot on the grounds and met the wonderful teachers and staff, we knew Parker was the place for our family. An amazing school with an amazing, supportive community!
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2021

Two years ago, our daughter started at Parker as a 7th grader. She quickly felt accepted by peers and teachers even though she was a late arrival to the school. We were incredibly impressed by how warm and welcoming the Parker teachers and staff were.Parker’s educational approach was a great fit for our daughter. The teachers and curricula truly foster students’ creativity and individual interests. It was clear from our interactions with the teachers how much they care about their students and appreciate them as individuals. Our daughter received an excellent education at Parker and she greatly enjoyed the learning process because of the open and encouraging approach.During her 7th and 8th grade years, she was involved with a variety of clubs and activities, including soccer, basketball, Dungeons & Dragons, robotics, and skiing. She made some close friendships which she continues to maintain even though she and her Parker friends are all in different schools now.Our son also joined Parker this year as a 7th grader. Like his older sister, he loves the school. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, he also felt quickly accepted by peers and teachers. He has also found the Parker teachers to be excellent at teaching and at making the learning process fun. He has already established close friendships. Our son has repeatedly stated how nice everyone is at Parker. He is excited to complete his middle-school education at Parker like his sister before him.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2021

Parker is truly a special place. The expansive outdoor spaces for kids to play, the pond, stream, and acres of forests are magical. But what is truly outstanding is the learning going on inside the school. On my first visit to Parker years ago, I observed kids who were joyful, happy, and engaging with their peers and teachers in a way I had never seen. Meeting the classroom teachers further solidified my impressions of Parker. They spoke with passion and excitement for their curriculum and grade levels, and it was clear they loved teaching, particularly at this school! We immediately transferred our first-grade son out of his current school and enrolled him at Parker. From that point on, he never came home complaining about school or being “bored.” Fast forward a few years, and our two children are thriving - one as a current Parker middle schooler and the other as a confident 9th grader. Their Parker educations prepared them to be independent thinkers, risk-takers, creators, considerate and open-minded citizens, caring friends, and engaged learners. I can’t imagine a more nurturing or thoughtful environment for kids to thrive. I can’t recommend Parker enough!!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2020

Our son attended Parker from K through 8th grade, and we have been grateful at every stage. The curriculum is largely project focused, and challenges each student where they are. The teachers are wonderful. They get to know each student and encourage them to challenge themselves academically. Last year we were excited for all of the 8th grade milestones that he'd watched the prior 8th grade classes enjoy - leading Friday assembly, planning and fundraising for the class trip, performing their play at Shakespeare night, thesis and graduation speeches. But when school buildings had to close in March, even though some of those milestones were going to be altered, we were more grateful than ever to be part of the Parker community. On very short notice Parker teachers transitioned their programs online, and their commitment to engaging their students in meaningful work never wavered. We were so glad for the structure, continuity and connection for our son. The thesis is the culminating project for the 8th grade - writing and revision continued online with the support of their advisors and each other, and they presented them online. Other grades found creative ways to share and celebrate their culminating projects as well, and it was heart warming to see how both teachers and students had grown and adapted through this experience.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2015

We couldn't be happier... Parker offers such a unique learning experience for children, from Spanish immersion starting in PreK, to ecosystem investigations at the science pond, to LEGO robotics... Just to name a few. The students rarely miss a day on the 70+ acre campus studying the environment. Such a great educational experience that breaks away from sitting at a desk all day long, Parker is the way education education should be!
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2014

Amazing school! great teachers, programs, campus, etc. Definitely worth the tuition- your child's education is not a place where one should skimp!
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2014

We're grateful beyond words for the education and personal growth our child has experienced while at Parker. Because of the smaller size, he wasn't able to blend into the background as he had been doing while in public school. He's become a confident young man, able to speak in front of others and is actively involved in his education (determines topics for papers and has opportunities throughout the year to self-assess in order to develop the understanding of himself as a learner). Now in 8th grade, he's preparing to present his thesis paper to the school community and is getting ready to take the 9th grade science and math regents. The middle school teachers are amazing! Always searching for new ways to engage the students in the educational process as well as supporting the social/emotional growth. If you want your middle schooler to thrive during what is typically known as challenging years, Parker is your school!
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2014

Robert C Parker School is one of a kind. Growing up in the public education system, I didn't realize there was a different way to teach students. RCP has really been a real eye opener. My favorite thing about the school (if it's possible to pick just one) is the integrated approach they use. For example, last year when my kindergartener was studying Africa her math lessons included a unit on African weaving (now she loves to weave), her classroom was transformed into an African village, she got to pick an African animal to study in depth (which was highly motivating to get to choose her own thing to study), she sang African songs in Music, and did thematic projects with her buddy in 6th grade, etc. The depth of her knowledge on Africa after a 6 week unit of study was incredible for a Kindergarten student. There is truly so much to love about Parker and above everything is the secure knowledge that my children are learning to be independent and highly motivated thinkers, secure in themselves and ready to take on the world. I couldn't ask for more.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2014

From the small class sizes, individualized attention, and inspiring curriculum, Parker is a gem in the Capital District. My child has thrived in this environment of curiosity, exploration and kindness. Far from the stresses of filling in bubble sheets and sitting quietly in rows for the day, children at Parker are taught to embrace their natural curiosity and talents. They are encouraged to explore, create, and learn. Teachers, parents, and administrators all collaborate to effectively make this learning environment a positive one for every member of the community. My only wish is that it went through high school and didn't end at 8th grade
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2012

The Robert C Parker school is an amazing place. My children love the school - when I drop them off in the morning they run for their classrooms. The programs, the teachers and the administration are top notch!
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2012

Parker School is an absolute gem. From Pre-K to middle school, the teachers invest so much of themselves for the benefit of the students. It is truly remarkable to see. The campus is also fantastic. Not only is it beautiful, expansive, and natural, it is integrated into the curriculum at every grade level and in every content area. The administration also does a wonderful job of creating a learning environment that is engaging, challenging, safe, and fun. Parker graduates enter their high school years ready to take on whatever challenges life throws at them... and to seek them out. They have a strong desire to effect change in the social world in which they live, and to remain curious, passionate, and confident for years to come.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2012

My children absolutely love the Parker School. The academic programs are hands-on and involve much creative and collaborative work. The teachers are very supportive and encourage the children to stretch beyond the "ordinary", which allows the children to take academic risks is a safe environment. I have seen my children grow into inquisitive and eager learners. I highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2010

From the moment my husband and I drove onto Parker's campus, we realized we'd found a very special place. Wherever we went, we saw smiling faces and children truly enjoying learning. Outside, the students enjoy acre after acre of wooded trails and learning in a spectacular natural environment. Our oldest daughter is in her fifth year at Parker (in 2nd grade), having started in PreK3. Our younger daughter is in PreK3. Both girls love school so much, they're sad when there is a snow day. We are constantly amazed by the quality of Parker's teachers, and by the extra lengths to which the teachers go for individual students.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2010

When searching for a preschool in 2006, we visited Parker and were so impressed by the caliber of student work and the happy and confident students. I now have two children at Parker who are excelling in their studies while learning how to treat each other with respect and care for their community. They are excited about learning new things and are anxious to fully explore new topics. They are bummed out when school is closed for a holiday or a snow day. I could never have imagined a school with such a dedicated, vibrant faculty who all know and respect each child and truly relish in their accomplishments.