Park Place School has a rich, 20-year history of serving children in our community with a free, equitable school choice for quality education. From our start, we have been dedicated to strengthening children spiritually, academically and relationally.  Our methods have changed through the years, but never our mission. We aim to make our city more Christ-centered by equipping young men and young women to make a difference here.  

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Park Place School was birthed through the dream of several people to create a school that specifically aimed at learning issues that were present in the Park Place Community. People like Kathy Hopkins and Mike Farris teamed to recruit the first teachers and students, and to create a school in an old church building. 

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It was amazing to watch God move as the school took roots and grew. Volunteers participated in everything from fund-raising to school maintenance, to volunteering in the classroom.  This truly is a school birthed from the love of many. 

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We are thankful for all who faithfully supported us through the years.  This school was built on the foundation of the vision and the love of those who started it.    

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God has miraculously provided for the school's needs and we stand in awe.  Many children have benefitted, many families have been blessed.  We are grateful.  

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Park Place School is a Christian School for those who wouldn't normally have the opportunity.  Some things have changed through the years, but one thing has remained a constant: we have made disciples, Jesus-lovers and followers.  Most of our families would not have been able to get into a local Christian school.  Park Place School has been there for them. 

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A Steady Vision, Evolving Methods.   In the beginning, our efforts focused on learning disabilities, and there were exceptional results.  We've experimented along the way, matching the available resources against the challenges we observed.  Our current efforts remain focused on students who have under-performed against grade-level, but our methods have changed to match resourcing and emerging educational best-practice.  Today, we maintain small class sizes and using the NWEA Map Test protocols, closely monitor and respond to student progress.  We provide intervention quickly when it is needed.  We offer a wide range of experiential learning activities, and our students participate in music lessons, learning to play instruments like the violin. 

 

Our latest NWEA test results have been incredibly encouraging in the subject-area of reading.   We celebrate our students' advances, and continue to monitor progress in science and math, as well.  We have created an ethos of systematic assessment and prompt response, and we will continue.  Our latest results in reading have shown dramatic advances across the school.       

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And the story continues...

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This summer, Lord willing, we will move to a new facility at 107 Seekel St. in Norfolk, about three miles from our current home.  We are excited about the possibilities!  

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But, there are also challenges.   We estimate that we will need about $175,000 over our normal annual operating expenses to complete required modifications to the new spaces and to provide furnishings.   We don't want to lose any of our families, and so transportation is a challenge, as well.  As is our practice, we will be ultimately frugal, but we would so welcome your company on our journey!  This is a great year to come alongside our school financially and in prayer.   

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We are looking forward to the next 20 years of service to the families of Norfolk!

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...because Jesus is great.   

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