Independent School Entrance Exam

An Overview of Francis W. Parker School

Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Francis W. Parker School (also known as Parker) is a private school for students at every grade level: junior kindergarten to senior year of high school. It’s ranked the 5th best private high school in Illinois and has a student-teacher ratio of 9:1. The average SAT and ACT scores at Parker are 1420 and 31, respectively.

Parker offers a diverse and challenging curriculum which includes both general classes in math, science, reading, social studies, and more, as well as more specialized classes such as “Sociology of Sports,” “Literature and Censorship,” and “The Civil Rights Movement” among others. In addition to a rigorous course load, students are encouraged to explore the arts, as well as athletics in their “no-cut athletics program.” They also offer a Senior Seminar which “provides a safe space for seniors to reflect on their final year of high school and prepare for their next journey.”

Outside of the classroom, students also attend conferences and participate in a schoolwide Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. Students can also elect to participate in the Model UN program which competes locally, nationally, and internationally. Beginning in junior year, students also have the opportunity to utilize Parker’s College Counseling Office which provides a laundry list of meetings, advise, and thorough information to help guide students in their applications to the schools of their choices. To find out more about their College Counseling Office, curriculum, athletics, or more, visit their website at https://www.fwparker.org/.

Since Parker is a private school, students must take the ISEE to gain admission into the school as well as apply. In addition, Parker charges approximately $34,000 in yearly tuition to attend. Test Prep Chicago will offer both tutoring and courses for the ISEE beginning in the fall semester. Sign up for our newsletter on testprepchicago.com to be notified of new class offerings, including the ISEE course.

Lauren Lynch, Director of Tutoring and Communications
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266