Q. Does Park Street School offer Financial Aid?
A. Yes, financial aid is available, based on demonstrated need. For more
information, please see the section on Financial Aid on our Admissions page.
Q. Does Park Street School follow Boston’s Public School Calendar?
A. Yes, we are on the Boston Public School academic calendar. For more specific
information, please visit our Calendar page.
Q. How do I enroll my child in Park Street School?
A. You can learn more about our application process on our Admission page.
Q. Do you test students at Park Street School?
A. Yes, students in Grade 3-6 take the “Comprehensive Testing Program” (CTP4) –
a test created for high-achieving schools by the Educational Records Bureau
(ERB). This test measures performance in language skills, reading
comprehension, writing and math. This test is developed by the same company
who develop the SAT’s and the “Independence School Entrance Exam” (ISEE),
which our students will take as they apply to middle and high school.
Q. What does it mean to be a “Christian” school?
A. Sharing a great tradition with other local schools – such as Boston Latin, Boston
College, and Harvard University – Park Street School has been founded and established
by Christians seeking to provide an excellent education to Bostonians. Our faith in Jesus
Christ is our cornerstone. From that foundation, we seek to provide an environment of
acceptance, balance and fairness regarding faith and its questions.
In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, we nurture each child to achieve his or her full potential and develop an understanding of his or her worth as a unique being created by God. In addition, the formation of Christian character in all students is of utmost importance. Emphasis is placed on compassion, kindness, and respect towards others.
Weekly, Park Street School students engage in a Bible curriculum with a yearly motif. Teachers lead the students in voluntary prayer at morning meeting, and all Park Street School students attend chapel twice a month, a time that seeks to foster a love for God, the Bible, and one another. Chapel is led by pastors in the Boston area.
Q. How many students are in each class?
A. Our student to teacher ratio is low. There can be as many as 18 students in a
classroom, with one teacher and one assistant.
Q. What are the hours of school?
A. Park Street School classes begin at 8:15 a.m. Students arrive at school beginning
at 8:00 a.m. and the school day ends at 3:00 p.m.
Q. Do you offer after school care?
A. Yes, our after school program is from 3:15 – 5:30 p.m. Students enjoy a snack and
scheduled free time before transitioning into engaging lessons in athletics or arts
and crafts, or other topics taught by Park Street School and or Park Street Kids faculty.
Q. Where do children go for recess?
A. Weather permitting, our children play in the Boston Common and the Public Garden
and/or on the Esplanade. When weather conditions prevent us from going outside, we
utilize our gym or the classroom for recess.
Q. Do children take field trips?
A. Yes, in order to take advantage of the rich cultural, historical and educational
opportunities of Boston and the surrounding areas, several field trips will be scheduled
during the school year.
Q. Who will teach my child at Park Street School?
A. Park Street School hires qualified teachers who exhibit creativity, energy, and a
nurturing spirit. All of our teachers and assistant teachers have at least a
Bachelor’s degree.
Q. Do you have to attend church to go to Park Street School?
A. No, our students come from various religious backgrounds. Some of our families
attend church, representing many different denominations, while others
don’t attend church at all.
Q. As a Christian school, do you teach evolution in science class?
A. All views of the beginning of life – including various views of creation and evolution –
will be taught, offering a fair and balanced presentation of current research and evidence.
Q. Where do your students come from?
A. Seventy-five percent come from the downtown neighborhood, such as Beacon
Hill, South End, Back Bay, North End, Charlestown, West End, Chinatown,
Leather District, and others come from surrounding neighborhoods/communities.
Q. How do students get to Park Street School?
A. We encourage parents to either take public transportation or walk their children to school
when possible.
The school is located within walking distance from the MBTA Red and Green Lines. The Red line stations are located at Park Street and Charles/MGH. The Green line stations are located at Park Street and Arlington Street. The area is also served by the MBTA Bus Routes 43 and 55, both of which stop at the intersection of Beacon Street and Charles Street.
Parents dropping off or picking up their children by car are assigned a drop-off/pick-up location, either on Beacon Street or on Mugar Way. Staff will be at each designated location to meet families and escort children to school. Parents are not to park at either drop-off/pick-up locations.
MBTA Student Pass
Park Street School is participating in the MBTA student pass program for children, 12 years of age and over. The passes (that must be used in conjunction with MBTA student badges) will be valid on all MBTA services (except commuter rail zones 3-8) on days that school is in session, until 8:00 p.m. Students, 11 years of age and under, are free when accompanied by an adult.
Private School Busing for Boston Residents
According to the criteria established by the Boston School Department, transportation services are provided to private students who are Boston residents and living more than two miles from school. Transportation services are provided only on the days when Boston Public Schools are in session. Park Street School staff members will be at the designated bus stop to assist in transporting the children between the bus stop and their classrooms during the drop-off and pick-up each day.
Q. Is there parking at Park Street School?
A. No, Park Street School does not provide parking. Parents dropping off or picking up their
children by car must park at the Boston Common Garage, or at a metered spot on Beacon,
Charles, or Arlington streets. We encourage families to carpool, which the administration
will assist in coordinating.
Q. Can students buy lunch at school?
A. No, Park Street School does not provide daily meals. Parents are to send in two
(2) snacks and a lunch each day. Children staying for the after school program
will need three (3) snacks.
Q. Is there a dress code?
A. Yes, Park Street School has a standard school uniform for boys and girls. Students
will be expected to wear the school uniform each day, unless otherwise notified.
Q. Will students receive homework each night?
A. Yes, students will be assigned homework by their classroom teachers. Homework
will be given to reinforce the concepts being taught in class, and the amount given
each week will be appropriate for each grade level. Homework completion will be
factored into the students' grades. Parents will be notified if more than three (3)
assignments are missing within a period of a month.
Q. How do I find out about my child’s progress at school?
A. A newsletter will go home weekly to inform parents of classroom activities and instruction. Students are assessed throughout the year. Progress reports will go home three times per year, with parent-teacher conferences for the first and second trimester. As well, we are thrilled to initiate the implementation of an online system called Veracross. Beginning in the fall of 2009, we will begin to make more of our school information available to you online through a secure Parent Portal, accessed through our website. Eventually, you will be able to access your family contact information, receive school and class communications, and for those children who are in the higher grade classes, see your student’s homework assignments and grades.
Q. Is parental involvement encouraged at Park Street School?
A. Yes, the role of parents in a child’s development is both recognized and valued at
Park Street School. We encourage parents to become involved in their child’s
education. Parents are welcome to visit and participate in the classroom, to
chaperone field trips, help plan class parties, assist with Open Houses, participate
in parent-teacher conferences, serve on various committees, and help with special
events. Each class will have an appointed classroom parent who will assist with
coordinating various school events and activities. Parents are also encouraged to
attend scheduled Parent Breakfasts.
