Teachers are the heart of the school. Without dedicated, competent teachers, the best educational practices will never come to fruition in the classroom. Parnassus Preparatory School teachers are expected to implement the school’s academic mission. In the classroom, the teacher is in charge. Outside of the classroom, teachers receive professional guidance with respect to specific goals and objectives.
At Parnassus, education is derived from the philosophies found in the left-hand column of the table below. By enrolling your child at Parnassus, you will witness firsthand the qualities and benefits of a classical education and specific character curriculum.
Role of the Teacher
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Students learn right from wrong from their studies, from adult guidance, and from extra-curricular activities
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Morality develops from the individual’s experience
- It is best learned when not taught directly
Curriculum
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Core subjects are taught separately;
- History and Geography are defined
- Explicit phonics instruction is used to teach reading
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Any subject can serve to develop problem-solving abilities and creativity;
- Social Studies combines History, Sociology, Geography and Anthropology
Work Habits
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Students are expected to work hard and to learn what is taught;
- Students are taught important skills to help them become good citizens and learners
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- The best learning comes when students are interested in what they learn;
- Teachers are to encourage students to follow their own interests in learning;
- Students are assumed to have good habits
Promotion
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Promotion is largely by achievement;
- Student may be remediated and retained if achievement is too low
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Social promotion is preferred;
- Student is promoted with age group even if achievement is too low
Teacher’s Background
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Education in subject matter being taught is preferred;
- Of course, excellent teaching methods are also required to help students learn the content
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Teacher’s mastery of subject matter is considered less important than an understanding of child and adolescent development