Parker Core Knowledge Charter School

My son was attacked on the playground by another student. He was stabbed in the temple with a pencil. The administration changed in 2021. The new administration would not change my son's reading group after the attack. My son was with his attacker and left alone with his attacker weekly in the reading group. Administration said. "It is not convenient for the adults in the building to change his group." Be careful students are put into reading groups even if they do not need it & parents are not notified the student is in a reading group. Had my son tested and District evaluators said to administration to get him out of the group & administration refused. The attacker bullied my son for 7 months during this group to the point my son had stomach aches & hated going to school. When my son started the group he was at the core level on their Dibels testing. When he finished the group in the Spring he had fallen to the Strategic level. I had to spend the summer catching him up on reading. Be very careful before enrolling at this school, my son is not the only child who was bullied and nothing done under the new administration!

We LOVE this school- it's like my children's second home, they feel that comfortable and happy there. It has to do with the overall atmosphere and climate, which is unlike any other school- it's so positive, warm, and welcoming. The staff is amazing from top down, every single one are positive and supportive and display an attitude daily that shows us in numerous ways that their hearts are truly in this for the kids. They work hard and always go the extra mile, and accept only the best of themselves. The teachers are first rate across the board, and the challenging curriculum prepares students even beyond our expectations for high school. There is a fair amount of homework (although less than some charter schools), but it is not excessive and definitely not just 'busy work' the homework given has a real purpose and makes a real difference in children's understanding and test scores. This school does NOT teach to the test at all, curricula is designed for the purpose of preparing students for the highest possible success at each next level. These students are easily standouts in area high schools because of not only their strong classroom and testing performance, but also due to character traits, self-discipline, and mastery of organization and study skills that they've been taught all along at Core. PCK families are also wonderful and form a real community- as a whole they're very involved, proud as can be of our school, and grateful to have this level of education and this quality of educators supporting our children- we're simply fortunate beyond words! I wish our administration could train other schools in how to operate at this level- unfortunately they don't have that kind of time. Maybe the district (and other districts) need to send people in to observe and ask questions of schools like this- if one can out-perform others consistently and still maintain the highest quality environment, it has to be possible for more schools to do the same, if only the formula could be shared. It takes districts asking for the help though, and admitting a small few do a far better job and obviously know what it takes to be at the top of their game. I sincerely wish all children had the opportunity to have this kind of school experience, it would make an enormous difference in their joy of learning, their self-confidence and self esteem, and their opportunity for growth and life success. We may be "PCK Proud", but we're not arrogant and we're not selfish, we'd gladly share the wealth if we knew how to do so!

Looks like admission process is dicey, anyone can manipulate the process to get an admission.

My two children have both been at PCK since Kindergarten and our family couldn't be happier about it. The administrative and teaching staff are deeply invested in the students and their success. The Love & Logic approach the staff uses consistently helps develop good citizens and well-behaved students. In addition, the students attend Core Virtue assemblies every month and focus on good character traits such at Deference, Creativity, Generosity, Humility, and Honesty. The entire school teaches a grade ahead of standard PROVING that all children can do anything they are challenged to do. The school encourages children to rise above and beyond the norm. When the PCK 8th graders move on to High School, they are consistently among the best prepared, most self-reliant, and most well-rounded students in attendance. The PCK wait list is quite long (so get on it now!) and there is a list just as long of very good reasons for that!

My children have been at Core for the last few years, and I could not be happier! The staff is supportive, the teachers are involved with the kids, not pushing material just to pass a test, and the parents are asked to stay actively involved with their kids learning and growth. Kids are encouraged to be the best they can be, constantly challenged and motivated. The schools goals are not focused on test scores but on finding the best ways to educate our children.

I had 2 children attend PCK and I have to say it was an awful school experience for BOTH my children. They loved school prior to attending this PCK. As a former teacher, this school was a NIGHTMARE! What attracted me to this school was Core Knowledge Curriculum and great CSAP scores. After attending this school for only 4 months before I pulled my children out, and numerous observations it was clear this is a school that teaches to the test! This school would not allow me to observe my children in the classroom....RED FLAG! I was able to observe recess and lunchroom.....it was horrific to see what my kiddos were experiencing everyday. The staff at recess is talking, kids are shoving, pushing clearly lots of bullying going on at PCK but no bullying program to address this issue! At lunch, it is like a herd of cattle....not warm and inviting...they blow whistle in the lunchroom! My kiddos did not like lunchtime and recess....RED FLAG!! This school's communication is unlike anything I have ever experienced! The only ongoing communications parents get is about MAP Testing and fundraising! The 2 teachers I dealt with seemed unexperienced and detached! Numerous packet were sent home with spelling errors or left out pieces! This school placed progress reports in a folder, no envelopes for all to see...no signatures required by parents to make sure they were reviewed. I asked specific questions on checkpoints for clarification....the director and 2 teachers could not answer my question?? I was embarrassed for them! So prospective parents....BEWARE! This school looks great on paper but the actual experience, professionalism and to give our kids a wonderful schooling experience does not exist at this school!