If you’re a student or alum, you’re familiar with the elements that combine to make Parkmont such a warm, interesting, and energetic school. We thought we’d try describing some of those elements to help fill in the picture for those who’ve never ridden in the Parkmont Van.
Adventure Trips
They aren’t optional. They’re almost always outdoors. They’re the backdrops of memories and catalysts for personal growth. Every Session, each division (Middle School and Upper School) spends a day on an Adventure Trip, group outings in which physical activity, trying something new, and having fun are the organizing goals. Students kayak the Potomac, hike Old Rag, navigate the ropes course at Calleva, bike along the C & O Canal, swim at Sandy Point State Park, try their hands at disc golf, and more.
Camping Trips
It’s a safe bet that you’ll go on a camping trip while you’re here. It might be a stargazing mission for Astronomy class, a Main Lesson’s weeklong dive into the ecology of the Great Smoky Mountains, or it might be an overnight in nearby Catoctin Mountain Park just for fun. Why do we camp? Probably because longtime Head of School Ron McClain loves it, as do at least some of Parkmont’s teachers at any given time. But also because being outdoors in nature teaches us about the world we inhabit and about ourselves. As Ron puts it, “You begin to see what you’re capable of.”
Main Lessons
These daily two-hour classes devoted to one topic are the hub of our academic calendar. The extended class time permits more time for field trips, labs, and other hands-on learning. Main Lesson offerings each Session range from the familiar canon — Chemistry, Geography, Ancient History — to multidisciplinary or closely focused approaches to traditional subjects, such as the Science of Science Fiction, Immigration, and D.C. History. Immersed in it for 10 hours a week, students tend to find a connection to the topic and feel invested in what they’re learning. Each Main Lesson runs for one seven-week Session, so even if the connection isn’t strong, a chance for a fresh start is always in sight.
Afternoon Classes
Three days a week, students take a 75-minute elective. Often arts or movement based, recent offerings include Painting 101, Ultimate Frisbee, Paper Arts, Trail Running, Dance, and Dungeons & Dragons. Incorporating these activities into the school day reflects how important we think it is for young people to develop the habit of being engaged. We want students to emerge from Parkmont with the knowledge and skills they learned here as well as interests and passions that will help them build fulfilling lives. For students who had negative experiences at more traditional schools, our Afternoon Classes can reframe the role of “school” in their lives. Afternoon Classes also give our teachers a chance to share the passions and interests that animate their own lives. Klara, who taught dance, is an avid Hungarian folk dancer. Florence, who co-taught ultimate frisbee, competes in ultimate tournaments all over the country. And you can find Sam running in Rock Creek Park almost every weekend. Planting a couple of seeds for next year: How about music production? Or fishing?
The Senior Petition
More than a few alums have told us that writing their petition was one of the best things they did here. Every senior petitions the faculty to graduate by writing a 16-20 page personal essay, an introspective self-study that examines their experiences, growth, and aspirations and plans for what’s next. The subject matter and the length may seem daunting, but we scaffold the project so that it’s manageable. A senior’s very first petition task is to ask three faculty members to serve as their Petition Committee, which will provide feedback and guidance throughout the process. In her graduation speech this spring, Sarah noted that the petition process taught her that “when the journey is difficult, perseverance pays off.”
Announcements
Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., almost never on the dot, the entire student body and faculty gathers in The Commons for Announcements. First item on the agenda is always in-school announcements — mostly reminders and other information about field trips, athletic events. Second is out-of-school announcements — who’s in the NBA playoffs, birthdays, news headlines, and fun facts. What’s next rotates by day: Music Mondays, School Meeting on Tuesdays, Animal/Geography Wednesdays, PPOP on Thursdays, and Science Fridays. For the themed days, like Music Monday, the format is a guessing game that begins with a very broad clue. Hands shoot up with guesses. Everyone, including teachers, can guess. If no one guesses correctly, another clue is revealed, and hands shoot up again. The rounds continue until someone figures it out. The winner gets to pick the song/animal/place for the next week’s game.
School Meeting
Every Tuesday, Announcements shifts to School Meeting, a student-run forum for discussing topics of concern or interest. Anyone may propose a topic, and the perspective of each student, from the quietest 6th grader to the brashest senior, may be shared and considered. Topics are usually school related, but they don’t have to be. Students elect a new meeting Leader and Scribe each Session, and we try to follow the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order. One recent topic, how to tell if a restroom is occupied, led to an elegantly simple solution: new door locks with built-in “occupied” and “vacant” indicators. Sometimes the topic is contentious, and not every issue gets resolved, but we learn a bit more about how to make those discussions productive, and the discussions themselves give all of us a greater understanding of the different ways we each experience the world.
PPOP
PPOP, the Parkmont Pupil of Prestige, beautifully captures the spirit of our school. At their Wednesday faculty meeting, the teachers nominate students for the weekly award. Criteria: Anything positive! Being especially kind to a nervous visiting student. Working really hard on a class project. Overcoming their jitters at a new internship. An excellent score on a math test. Making a great play on the soccer field. The next day at Announcements, Ethan reads the list of who was nominated, not including that week’s PPOP winner. For the winner, he withholds the name until the end, first giving the details of why the person was nominated. As he speaks, recognition of who it must be ripples through the Commons, and the moment Ethan reveals the name of that week’s Parkmont Pupil of Prestige, the room erupts in applause and cheers.
Shout Outs
On the last Thursday of each Session, we do Shout Outs instead of PPOP, and there are always far more Shout Outs than time. Anyone can give a Shout Out to anyone. Often, a Shout Out is a way to thank a classmate publicly for a kindness or a teacher for their help. Sometimes, it’s to highlight another person’s personal achievement, like a beautiful presentation or excellent report. At the last Shout Outs of the year, we keep going until everyone who wants to give a Shout Out has had a turn, even if it means missing Main Lesson entirely. Our hearts full of gratitude, it’s the best way to end the year!
Graduation
Positive relationships between students and their teachers underpin every part of Parkmont’s program. Our graduations always provide a moving glimpse into these important relationships. At the ceremony, a teacher who has worked closely with a particular graduate delivers a speech about them, sharing anecdotes and observations that reveal sincere care and deep knowledge. Every single graduate gets a tribute. We do the same for our 8th graders at their Moving Up ceremony, and sometimes, the same teacher will be able to give both speeches. Every graduate and 8th grader may also give a speech. That can make for a long ceremony, but it’s always worth it!
