Why simplicity and sincerity? That’s the motto of the Park School. The Park School is an independent day school. It welcomes boys and girls from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
The Park School’s story begins in 1888. Miss Caroline Pierce started a school on Walnut Street in Brookline. The school was known as Miss Park’s School by 1916. This was under the leadership of Julia Park. She was Miss Pierce’s successor. In 1923, it became officially The Park School.
The Park School found a new home in 1971. It moved to 171 Goddard Avenue. This was thanks to a gift of land. Dr. and Mrs. James M. Faulkner donated the land. They were former Park parents and grandparents. The new campus was near Jamaica Pond. It was also opposite Larz Anderson Park. In 1980, the Faulkners donated more land. This expanded the campus. Park School now sits on 34 acres.
The main building was built in 1971. Earl Flansburgh & Associates designed it. Robert S. Hurlbut Jr. was the Headmaster at the time. The design is modern. It features reinforced precast concrete. The building has modular classroom and office spaces. Wall-length windows provide natural light. The architecture reflects the brutalist style. Swiss architect Le Corbusier pioneered this style. Brick wall accents add a New England touch. Preserved oaks and Roxbury puddingstone are also incorporated.
Inside, you’ll find an inner courtyard. A stainless steel mobile sculpture stands there. It is called Space Churn. George Rickey created it. A Park parent donated it in 1971. In 1996, the West Building was added. Graham Gund and Associates designed it. It has two full-sized basketball courts. There are also three modern science labs and four classrooms.
Major renovations happened in 2008. All Pre-kindergarten through grade 5 classrooms were updated. A new wing was added. It houses Grade 4 and 5 classrooms. It also has after-school program space. A conference room and a renovated library are included.
In 2018, Early Childhood classrooms were updated. The Early Childhood/Discovery Playground was also renovated. A conference room became a state-of-the-art Makerspace.
In 2021, Upper Division classrooms were transformed. Eleven new classrooms and collaboration spaces were created. These changes deepened student engagement. They also gave teachers more flexibility.
The Park School divides into two divisions. The Lower Division includes PreK through Grade 4. The Upper Division includes Grades 5 through 8. The academic year runs from September to June. School starts at 8:15 a.m. Dismissal is at 3:05 p.m. PreK and kindergarten dismiss early on Fridays.
Many extracurricular activities are available. These include sports and drama. Clubs and study hall are also offered. Sports include flag football and soccer. Students can also play basketball or lacrosse. Theater choices vary. They include modern and classical plays.
Annual events bring the community together. Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day is a highlight. The Yule Festival celebrates different traditions. May Day welcomes spring. Graduation is held in June. Alumni often speak at the ceremony.
Many notable people have graduated from The Park School. These include film critic Ty Burr and reporter Bertha Coombs. Football player Michael Cox and musician Tucker Halpern also attended. Actors Jonathan Tucker and David Walton are alumni as well.
The Park School stands as a testament to its motto. It embraces simplicity and sincerity. The school provides an exceptional education. It fosters a love of learning in its students.