Our School

GORDON PARKS, a non-profit public charter school, was established to educate urban-core children. Gordon Parks, the famed African-American photographer, writer, poet, composer, painter and filmmaker gave his name to the school because he believed in its mission.

Its co-founders were inspired by St. Vincent's Family Center/Operation Breakthrough, at 31st & Troost, and planned the school to be its sister institution. Most of the students come by bus from there and return to Operation Breakthrough at the close of school. However, any child living within the boundaries of the Kansas City Missouri School District is eligible to apply.

We have unlimited expectations and the conviction that every child can learn. Therefore, we've created an environment with classes no larger than 17 students, urban-experienced teachers, an all-school no blame discipline plan, and the Balanced Literacy instructional philosophy, all of which maximize those convictions.

Children's literature is the teaching tool, instead of textbooks. We honor a child's individual learning pace, and when the child's future is best served, he/she is welcomed to remain seven years, an extra year, in our school.

Our 1st through 4th grade teachers loop, remaining with a class for two years. Looping provides continuity and adds to instruction time. Every student spends the equivalent of one school day each week in the studies of art, music, physical education, dance, and library science, because we understand their value within academic curriculum.

Our small classes, the enriched academic program and individualized instruction combine to make ours a school where every child can thrive.

Visitors regularly remark about our calm, clean building, the walls alive with student work, and the students' focus, politeness, and evident delight in learning.

GORDON PARKS is held accountable by the federal government, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of the State of Missouri, Central Missouri State University (CMSU) as its sponsor, its parents and the high standards of its own Governing Board. Further, since it cannot charge tuition and taxes cannot support the rich program and small classes, we are also accountable to several hundred individuals, corporations, and foundations contributing about 19% of the budget.

All management, program and business, is done within the school. The governing board is legally and financially responsible for the school as well as for the hiring and performance evaluation of the principal. The principal has broad authority in matters of faculty and staff recruitment, evaluation and compensation. Entry level compensation is competitive. Increases are performance based. Only urban-experienced teachers, who are willing to learn, and instruct in, the Balanced Literacy philosophy qualify for placement. Racial harmony and diversity, within staff and boards, are promoted.

Community partnerships are maintained with the Volker Neighborhood Association, Pembroke Hill School, United Parcel Services, the Greater Kansas City Urban League, Benedictine College, William Jewell College, UMKC, Alvin Ailey, the Traditional Music Society, Harriman Fine Arts and the Nelson Gallery. Daily we collaborate with St. Vincent's/Operation Breakthrough.

Every aspect of our program is predicated on identifying the way each child learns and giving individualized instruction to maximize academic progress. As a charter school we are able to identify, assemble and implement proven systems we believe best serve our goals. We sought experienced counsel and hand assembled the following:

• Urban-experienced teachers
• No more than 17 students in a classroom
• A school-wide no-blame discipline policy (BIST)
• Balanced Literacy as our instructional philosophy. There are no basal texts in the school. All curriculum goals are reached using children's literature from the 1500-2000 book libraries in each classroom.
• Art, music, physical education, dance and library science are given at least twice the time as in other schools and are integral to the academic program
• A Summer Program, extending the regular school year by six weeks
• Transportation available
• Extended day available

Our staff is comprised of 27 full time and 1 part time employees. Besides classroom teachers, we have a full time counselor/therapist, a behavior intervention specialist, two special education teachers, a speech and language pathologist, librarian, art, music, and physical education instructors on the staff. The bookkeeper and dance instructor are contracted.

Key Points About Gordon Parks Elementary

Purpose—To academically prepare urban-core Kansas City children to enter middle school.

Location—The beautiful 1914 former Volker building at 3715 Wyoming. Its 32,000 square feet houses 12 classrooms, art and music rooms, library, gymnasium, and cafeteria. The building is filled with light pouring in through ten foot high windows, and there are generous grounds surrounding with playground and beds for student gardens.

Students—Anyone living within the Kansas City, Missouri school district may apply for kindergarten through fifth grade.

Uniforms—Primary-colored tee shirts and sweatshirts with the school logo with black, navy, or khaki pants. Shirts are available, at cost, at the school.

Transportation—Students are provided transportation to and from our sister organization, Operation Breakthrough at 31st and Troost, or families may provide their own.

Cost—There is no tuition. Our school does spend more than $10,000 each year for every student. The cost, above tax support, is provided by contributors.

Staff—All teachers are certified and urban-experienced.

Class Size—Sixteen students in each class

Academic Program—Instruction is individualized, made possible by small class size. There are no texts. Children's literature is the teaching tool for every discipline. The program, called Balanced Literacy, builds attentive listeners, articulate speakers, devoted readers, eager writers and strategic thinkers. Teachers, including art, music, physical education, dance and library facilitate. Students feel responsibility for their learning. Curricular goals are dictated by state and national standards.

Discipline—A school-wide no-blame policy through which children learn responsibility for their own actions.

How We Operate—As a public charter school we, like our sponsor, Central Missouri State University, are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Elementary Education of the state of Missouri. All management, program and business, is done within the school. The governing board has legal and financial responsibility and maintains adherence to our Mission.

Community Partners—Volker Neighborhood Association, Pembroke Hill School, United Parcel Services, the Urban League of GKC, Benedictine College, William Jewell College, Alvin Ailey, The Traditional Music Society, the Nelson Gallery, Harriman Fine Arts Series, our hundreds of funders, and especially Operation Breakthrough since we serve many of the same families.