What Makes Parkside Unique

We strive to provide children with a supportive, caring environment that fosters the development of perseverance, positive self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, and a sense of responsibility. Building relationships with students is an important part of that process. We celebrate with our school-wide Bingo days, monthly character trait award assemblies and other activities during the school year.  

Students have a daily specialist rotation to provide learning opportunities in both Music and Physical Education that provide exciting pathways to learn and grow. Students also participate in Art class with our Art specialist in grades 4, 5 and Quest, and with their classroom teachers in K-3. All students also have the opportunity to visit our school media center for library time with their classrooms.

Small group instruction allows students to work at their own pace and ensures each child's learning needs are met. Teachers use flexible seating and workspace options to individualize learning and enhance engagement. Parkside is home to the district-wide Quest program, serving highly gifted students in grades 2-5. In addition, Title I and special education instruction supports qualifying students. 

Technology is integrated into classrooms through the use of iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, Smartboards and more. Robotics, makerspace activities and coding provide our students with extra enrichment opportunities and more hands-on learning experiences. 

Physical movement is built into our daily routine in the form of recess, Brain Breaks, and Morning Movers. Morning Movers is an optional before-school movements opportunity for interested students. It is facilitated by the PhyEd teacher and runs from 7:25-7:40, with various grade levels participating on specified days. Teachers use a variety of activities to teach students about the mind/body connection. Activities include calming strategies, stretching exercises, quick energy bursts and brain training. 

The Quest program services highly gifted students (top two to three percent in class) in Grades 2-9 and is a tuition-free school within a school program located at Parkside Elementary for Grades 2-5. Siblings of students in the elementary Quest program may choose to enroll at Parkside as well. You can find out more information about the Quest program, admission to the program and the curriculum here. Request to assess are usually due in January for admission to Quest the following school year.

We value parent support and involvement, recognizing that parental involvement is important in a child's education. Parent help us in many ways, from volunteering in the classroom to helping raise funds to organizing family events throughout the year. We have an active PTO group that supports our school by organizing the parent volunteers, planning fundraising activities, bringing in school-wide enrichment activities for our students, and much more! 

The Little Library sits in front of Parkside, and students and families are welcome to stop, browse and borrow a book to read!