Just before the start of the school year, Parker juniors and seniors received emails from Upper School history teacher Andrew Bigelow inviting them to serve as election judges in the fall. Given the increased stakes around this year’s presidential election,...

The shuffle of feet in a polling location, the red or blue of each US state’s polling being flipped on national TV, and the scratching of pencils in room 486 occupy the senses this fall. Every four years, Parker’s Elections class engages in multiple...

It’s autumn in Chicago. The leaves are turning red and the temperature is comfortable, in the 60s and 70s. People are walking in t-shirts and sandals, relishing the last warm days before wintertime. However, in the Parker building, the cold is already...

Everyone in the Upper School has different schedules, which also means that many people have free periods. The opportunity of having a free period means getting to choose what you want to do during that time. Depending on their grade, a student’s free...

“Being a ‘Varsity’ runner has honestly been a pretty big confidence booster because having something you know you're good at feels really good, and it's amazing to feel all your hard work pay off,” freshman Addie Williams said.  In any school...

On August 12, the Parker golf team began their preseason practices, reserving times at Diversey Driving Range and various golf courses around the city. This pre-season preparation led to success throughout the season, with the team establishing school...

With each new school year comes changes. This year, that means a new schedule that takes place across eight days as opposed to the old five-day schedule. As a result, there is no designated finals week. Up until this year, the Upper School has had...

Fall sports seasons have officially wrapped up, and winter sports are quickly approaching. “I am so excited for the basketball season to start. I think our team has been working hard in the offseason, and I believe it will definitely pay off,” said...

Roughly 15.5 million students begin high school each year nationwide, and up to 30% struggle with the transition. Parker has programs in place to help assist with this transition. The Bridge, Retreat, and Orientation programs are ways for students to...

Every summer, locals and travelers await the exciting first weekend of August, otherwise known as Lollapalooza.  Lollapalooza began on July 18, 1991, in Phoenix, Arizona after musician Perry Farrell used it as a multi-city venue for his band, Jane’s...

As Upper School students fill the hallways during passing periods, breaks, and lunch, there’s one thing that they all have in common: they’re all holding cell phones. Whether it’s using one of many social media apps, texting someone, or merely checking...

Every year a group of 80-90 students joins Parker’s upper school and must learn everything from how to work the portal to where the biology classrooms are. This year 26 of the 89 incoming freshmen are new to Parker students who had never been in a room...