An independent Chicago Day School serving studes from JK to 12th grade.

The mission of the Francis W. Parker School is to cultivate in its students qualities of character and citizenship that can guide them through life as resourceful, thoughtful and active participants in a democratic society.

Parker aims to be a school where students and teachers thrive on their involvement with ideas and with each other. Through inquiry in the academic subjects, experience in the visual and performing arts, and participation in physical activity and community service, our school intends to inspire each student to strive for excellence and creativity in order to know the pleasures of learning and the value of contributing to the progress and improvement of society. We believe that engagement in each of these areas shapes the intellectual development, emotional maturity and moral life of the growing student.

Our vision is to create a culture in which students and teachers work together to build a humane and joyful school where trust and respect engenders in each person a disposition to question, to reflect, to sustain effort, and to act with empathy, confidence and integrity. Deliberately composed of a diverse group of people, Parker respects the individuality of each student and believes that responsibility, collaboration and intellectual curiosity develop when students are known and feel appreciated by their teachers and classmates, and are encouraged to do their best by stretching themselves beyond their own current achievements and points of view.