Save Parkview High School: A Parent’s Perspective
Save Parkview High School: A Parent’s Perspective
As a parent of two students who attend Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, I am deeply concerned about the recent news that the Little Rock School District is studying the possibility of closing some campuses, including Parkview, as a result of the construction of new schools and the decline in enrollment1. I believe that closing Parkview would be a huge mistake and a great loss for the district and the community.
Parkview is not just a school, it is a community of diverse and talented students, teachers, and staff who share a passion for learning and excellence. Parkview offers a unique and rigorous curriculum that integrates the arts and sciences and prepares students for college and career success. Parkview has a long history of achievements and recognition, both academically and athletically. It has been voted the number one high school in Pulaski County by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette2; rated in the top one percent of national magnet programs and named Magnet School of Distinction by the Magnet Schools of Merit Committee3; received the National Magnet School of Merit Award as conferred by the Magnet Schools of America3; nominated as one of America’s Best Schools in a program sponsored by Redbook3; named as one of the Best High School in the state by the readers of the Arkansas Times3; and selected as a Blue Ribbon School for excellence and equity in education for all students4.
Parkview also has a positive impact on the neighborhoods and communities surrounding it. Parkview attracts students from all three school districts in the county and serves as a model of interdistrict collaboration and integration. Parkview also provides expanded and specialized studies in the fine arts and sciences, which are not available in other schools. Parkview has a strong tradition of producing outstanding graduates who go on to pursue higher education and careers in various fields, such as medicine, engineering, law, education, journalism, music, theater, and more. Parkview alumni include notable people such as former U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, former NBA player Keith Lee, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tori Kelly, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Suzi Parker, among others3.
Closing Parkview would not only disrupt the education and well-being of hundreds of students but also diminish the diversity and quality of the district’s offerings. Parkview is a valuable asset to the district and the community and deserves to be preserved and supported. I urge the district leaders and the school board to reconsider their plans and keep Parkview open as a high school. Parkview is more than a school, it is a family. And families stick together.
Sincerely,
Walter Washington, Jr.
Parkview Patriots Parent
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