The Parkside School

Congratulations to Parkside's Class of 2026! 🎓 Yesterday, we celebrated this remarkable group of graduates as they marked the end of their Parkside journey — and what a journey it's been. From their very first days to walking out our red doors as confident, capable young people, these students have grown in every way imaginable. They've worked hard, supported one another, and shown us again and again just how much they're capable of. As they head off to their next schools and new adventures, they take a piece of Parkside with them — and they'll always be part of our community. We are so proud of you, and we can't wait to see all the incredible things ahead. Once a Parkside student, always a Parkside student! 🌟

Look how far they've come! 🌟 Our fourth-floor classes closed out the year with their Achievement Ceremonies on Friday, each student stepping up to give a speech about what they learned, the memories they'll treasure, and the growth they're most proud of. What struck us most was the confidence — for some of these students, simply stepping onto the stage took real courage. Seeing them stand up in front of family, friends, and teachers and speak is a powerful reminder of how much they've grown. Bravo to every single one of our fourth-floor students — we are so incredibly proud of you! 👏💛

Our Class of 2026 graduates next week — and we couldn’t imagine a better send-off.

In the season finale of In Conversation, the first season of our podcast, six of our soon-to-be graduates sit down with Andie Levinger to talk about their years at Parkside, in their own words. And what they have to say will stay with you.

They talk about Parkside Singers and starring in Matilda. About teaching themselves animation on YouTube and piano scales by ear. About the deep breaths that calm them down, the reading that finally clicked, and knowing just how to tell a new teacher what they need. They talk about friendship and forgiveness in a way that will melt your heart.

As Jessica Scovel listened back on the season, she wrote down the words that kept coming to mind: positive, confident, creative, humorous, courageous, forgiving, self-aware, hopeful. That’s our Class of 2026. That’s a Parkside kid.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.parksideschool.org/podcast

Congratulations, graduates. The world really is a better place with you in it. 💙

Yesterday, our third-floor classes celebrated their end-of-year Achievement Ceremonies, where each student took the stage to share a speech about everything they learned, the memories they made, and the moments that meant the most this year.

Getting up in front of family, friends, and teachers to give a speech is a meaningful milestone in a Parkside education — a real testament to the confidence, growth, and courage our students build all year long. We could not be prouder of this wonderful group, and we can't wait to see all the amazing things they do next!

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Forty years young — and this celebration was all the students' idea! 🎉 The whole school came together in the gym for a 40th Birthday party for Parkside, complete with cupcakes, pizza, party hats, and so much joy. The best part? The idea came straight from one of our students, who felt the whole school should get to celebrate Parkside's 40th — not just the grown-ups at the gala this spring. So we threw the school a birthday party, and our students went all out, even making their own "Happy Birthday, Parkside" posters filled with heartfelt messages about what they love most about being here. From "everyone is kind" to "Parkside is home," it was a beautiful reminder of exactly what makes this place so special. Here's to 40 years — and to the students who make Parkside, Parkside!

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🎭 Classes 5-2 and 5-4 took on the school's annual spring play this year with a production of Matilda, and it was nothing short of fantastic. After weeks of rehearsing lines, songs, and choreography, our students brought the whole story to life with incredible energy, character, and heart (and some truly fabulous costumes!). A huge bravo to the entire cast, and a special thank-you to Mr. A for directing and bringing it all together. We could not be prouder of these performers!

Step into the art room and you'll find a wall of watchful eyes! Our young artists shaped and painted these wonderfully detailed reptile and creature eyes — each one bursting with color and personality. From fiery oranges to deep purples and electric greens, no two are alike. We love seeing where their imaginations take them.

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Class 4-2 took their bug knowledge on the road! 🐛🦋 We've been deep into mealworms and their life cycles in the classroom, so a field trip to the American Museum of Natural History's Insectarium and Butterfly Vivarium was the perfect next step. Students marveled at larger-than-life insects, explored hands-on exhibits, met a golden-eyed stick insect up close, and lit up when butterflies landed right on their fingertips. Seeing a life cycle come to life — from the mealworms back home to the fluttering wings at the vivarium — is learning our 4-2 friends won't soon forget!

Curiosity doesn't slow down as the year winds down — it takes flight. In one class, students raised butterflies from chrysalis to full transformation, then set them free in Central Park, cheering as they fluttered up into the trees. Elsewhere across the school, classes explored Mexican alebrijes and the murals of Diego Rivera, and students dug into NYC landmarks and the lives of Civil Rights trailblazers. So much wonder packed into these final weeks.

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Friday's All-School Picnic was everything. ☀️ Students, families, and staff took over Riverside Park for a day filled with giant bubbles, pool noodle games, face painting, balloons, and so much joy. A huge thank you to our Specialty Department for planning an incredible day — you made the magic happen! 🫧🎨