In recent years, Parker has experienced an uptick in disgruntled students, unhappy with the reality their school offers them. And rightfully so. We’ve witnessed dissatisfaction with administration response to serious sexual harassment allegations, student censorship in media touted as open forums, reduction of student and teacher influence on school proceedings, and more. These are serious failures and ones that ought to be rectified.

Now, as graduation draws ever nearer, I hear my peers celebrating their exit. Throughout the hallways, I hear a chorus of “I can’t wait to graduate”s and “I’m outta here”s harmonizing with each other. Many are simply happy to depart from high-school and reinvent themselves as semi-independent people, but many expect more from their graduation. They rejoice in their escape from these complicated conflicts, anticipating their newfound collegiate homes as freedom from such struggles. These are foolish expectations.  

These problems, though upsetting and in need of resolution, are not unique to Parker. If you paid a careful visit to New Trier, LPHS, or even my future (fingers crossed) alma mater, I believe you would find the exact same reality lurking below the surface. The issues this school currently faces are not rare but a common byproduct of our culture. In fact, these particular issues have always existed, but, at this particular moment in human history, they are being opened up to resolution. The whole world is beginning to notice these evils. The difference is, Parker is far better equipped to rectify them than any other community.

Parker is a small school, founded on principles of whole child education and free thought. We value outside thinking and collaboration. Students are taught to assert themselves and stand up for what they believe. Parker demands that all its members be educated, thoughtful, and independent citizens. Everyone wants to do and be better.

Our peer institutions do not hold our same values––they do not teach these same skills. Our mission statement gives us the tools to create a better future, and, slowly but surely, we will create it.

Be upset if Parker has failed you this year. You did not deserve to be hurt the way you were, so do not accept it. Use the skills it has taught you to help it succeed next time. Demand that Parker lives up to its principles, because it will. This advice isn’t just for its students. Parker can lead the way only if we pave the path.

It should be said that paving the path is hard work and, in a perfect world, not work than anyone should have to do. It is not your responsibility to remedy your own hurt. But, at the same time, it is your responsibility to build a better world, and you aren’t absolved of it simply because the world has hurt you. It is everyone’s responsibility.

Perhaps as my tenure at the Francis W. Parker School of Chicago expires, nostalgia clouds my vision. Perhaps Parker is tearing at the seams and the future is hopeless to stitch them back together again. But perhaps we are simply at the frontlines of a cultural battle, and we have all the tools we need to win.