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Make Parchment Your Schools of Choice District

At the June 2010 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 during two designated open window periods - fall and the beginning of the 2nd Trimester.

Both open window periods for Section 105 or 105c enrollment for the 2012/2013 school year have now closed. Parents/guardians must obtain a release letter from their resident school district to begin inquiries about enrollment in Parchment for the remainder of the 2012/2013 school year.

Applications for 105/105c enrollment for the 2013/2014 school year can be turned in at any time to district school offices, but students will not be able to attend as 105/105c until September 3, 2013. The start of school year 105/105c open window period for 2013/2014 will close on Wednesday, September 4, 2013. The second open window for attendance at the 2nd Trimester will close on Tuesday, November 26, 2013.

2013/2014 Schools of Choice Applications

Download the 105 application (within Kalamazoo County) (PDF)

Download the 105c application (for non Kalamazoo County residents) (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

Two three-year-olds jumping in class activity

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.

Now Offering Full-Day Kindergarten

The Parchment School District is excited to offer a full-day experience for all incoming Kindergarteners for the 2012-2013 school year.

Renovated High School

A total of 142,353 square feet, our 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

We offer 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! See it at parchmentalumni.com.

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

Parchment School District is the First in Kalamazoo County to receive District Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, recognizing Parchment as a quality school system. The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) conferred their accreditation seal on the Parchment district in December 2011.

The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and the
MEEMIC Insurance Company have recognized Parchment High School and our school improvement team with the 2010-2011 Ready, Set, Success Award.

Parchment High School & Middle School Libraries Received a Library of Michigan Endorsement for Meeting Qualified Status of School Library 21 Program.

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