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Parchment is Now a Schools of Choice District

At the June Parchment School Board meeting, the Board unanimously voted to become a Schools of Choice district. As a Section 105 and 105C district, Parchment is now open to any students within Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Allegan, Barry, Branch, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties. Parchment will no longer require a release from your home district within Kalamazoo County.

Read on to learn why your child's future begins at Parchment or apply now:

Download Admission Application for Kalamazoo County residents (PDF)

Download Admission Application for residents of Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, St. Joseph, or Van Buren Intermediate School District (PDF)

Challenging & Engaging Every Learner's Mind

The Parchment School District, a premier district in southwest Michigan, values and nurtures the talent and uniqueness of each student by challenging and engaging every learner's mind. In cooperation with families and the community, the district creates an environment for lifelong learning to prepare each student for future life challenges.

Quick Stats

94.87% High School graduation rate

K-12 Enrollment: 1,705

Average Class Sizes:

  • Grades K-5: 23
  • Middle School (6-8): 26
  • High School: 23
  • Barclay Hills: 20

7,715 Professional Development hours completed annually by teaching staff

70% of all teachers hold advanced degrees

Forward Thinking

Parchment School District's curriculum focuses on creating an environment that fosters competent, responsible and collaborative students to take forward-thinking attitudes into the community.

Newly Renovated High School

A total of 142,353 square feet, our newly renovated high school includes 38,927 square feet of newly constructed space. New features at the school include security enhancements, a gymnasium, cafeteria and administrative office space.

Innovative Technology Programs

Classrooms in the high school are equipped with data projectors, sound systems, document cameras and/or smart boards. There are also 125 netbooks for student use.

Students utilize MP3 players to read and record their own papers, enabling them to analyze and improve grammar and writing skills.

Parchment served as a pilot project for a tool called "I Am Online" in which students and teachers communicate online through a process of writing self-reflective essays.

Alternative Education Program

Barclay Hills offers a high school completion program, a GED program for students aged 16-19 and a middle school program for students in grades 6-8.

Alumni Program

Coming Soon: A web-based portal for all Parchment alumni to connect with the district.

Features include a searchable alumni directory, news feeds, electronic newsletters and more!

Preschool & Childcare

Located at Northwood Elementary, this is a non-profit, fee-based, state licensed program which is designed to meet the needs of working parents through preschool and childcare for preschool through school age children.

Special Education

District staff includes school social workers, speech pathologists, certified teachers and a teacher consultant, as well as a community mental health liaison.

Extras

  • AP classes & dual enrollment
  • Certified library media specialists (all schools)
  • Art, music & physical education classes
  • Guidance & after school mentoring
  • Award-winning band program
  • K-8 Gifted & Talented program

Well Rounded

At Parchment School District, we believe that unique programs and extracurricular activities provide a critical component to a well-rounded educational experience.

Sports

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ski Team
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

Extracurriculars

  • DECA Marketing Club
  • Destination Imagination
  • Grad Bash
  • National Honor Society
  • Science Olympiad
  • Student Council
  • Wood Shop
  • Yearbook

Awards & Accolades

All of Parchment School District's K-12 regular education programs are accredited by the North Central Association.

U.S. News & World Report Bronze Medal for America's Best High School 2008.
Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) Winners' Circle Award to Parchment Middle School in recognition of its Focus Program.

In 2010 the Parchment High School Band performed at Disney's Magic Kingdom and the Kennedy Space Center by auditioned invitation.

In 2010, the Parchment High School Symphonic Band was one of two Michigan high school band ensembles selected to perform at Western Michigan University's Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music with guest composer Dr. Robert Sheldon.

"Standard of Excellence" WebAward from the Web Marketing Association
for outstanding achievement in web development in the "Schools" category for www.parchmentschools.org.

Questions?

Contact Parchment School District Administration
520 N. Orient Street
Parchment, Michigan 49004
(269) 488-1050