T h e Ca p i t a l Ca m p a i g n f o rP a r k s i d e Christian Academy

MAKING THE

EXTRAORDINARY,ORDINARY

Parkside Christian Academy is a supportive , urban, interdependent,educational community that unleashes students , parents andteachers to reach their high places - spiritually , academically andin service to others . Parks ide creates an environment whereExtraordinary achievement is seen as Ordinary .

maintain the original mission of its founders and to develop afinancial plan that would help ensure the school’s impact long

into the future.

In 2008, the Board of Trustees called Dr.Michael Dixon to become Head of School andCrystal Dixon to the role of Director ofAdministration. Since their arrival at Parksidea unique accelerated curriculum has beenintroduced and CrossFactor Academy,Parkside’s new high school program, waslaunched. The school has emerged from beingone of the best kept secrets in Boston, to a

vibrant school community where its students are increasinglyrecognized for their success both personally and academically.

Parkside grew out of the vision ofHendrickson through his work as the Director of UrbanMinistries, an inner city outreach to

the needy and at-risk in Boston. The schoolopened its doors in 1977 at the site of theformer Mt. Sinai Hospital and quickly becamean important part of Boston’s educationallandscape.  The school expanded in the1980’s, building a new wing that providedadditional classroom space accommodatingtheir growth as a PK-8 school.

Under the leadership of then principal, theRev. Dr. Jossie Owens and Rev. Hendrickson’s son, Paul,Parkside entered the 1990’s with a two-pronged strategy; to

Rev. George P.

EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY

What allows some urban students to do extraordinary things academically while others never live up to their potential? Is it

resources? Is it environment? Is it challenge and motivation? This question dogged Michael Dixon as a young man growing

up on the south side of Chicago and continued during his years studying at MIT. The burden to reach under-served and

underachieving students led him from the confines of an elite prep school to the Boston Public Schools. There he succeeded in preparing

disadvantaged students to take and pass the AP Physics exam. As a result, he was named the College Board AP Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Dixon’s experience in Boston led him to the conviction that students are far more capable of higher

learning than assumed. He believed that if his students could succeed on the AP exam with only a year

of preparation, what could be possible if he could spread this preparation over 10 or 11 years. It was

this thinking that spawned the development of the X-Factor Curriculum.

EXTRAORDINARY VISION

The X Factor Curriculum is built on 15 core principles, designed to make extraordinary academic

achievement of urban students seem ordinary. Parkside students are exposed to small portions

of difficult concepts spiraled over a long period of time. In this integrated curriculum, students

take (STEM) classes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, not separate science and math

subjects. They take Humanities instead of English and Social Studies.

At an early age, students prepare for the content and concepts found in Advanced Placement courses

including calculus and physics. Summations are introduced in first grade as

a part of their lessons on addition and subtraction. Third graders learn the

concepts of derivatives and integrals by understanding the relationship between a marathon runner’s position

and time.

The results are young people who develop a swaggering confidence of learning. They are immersed in

analytical and creative problem-solving, develop leadership and teamwork skills, effectively communicate orally

and in writing and understand how to integrate their faith with their academic learning.

EXTRAORDINARY CURRICULUM

EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS

● Named a Top School in Massachusetts by John Hopkins Center for Talented YouthProgram - a national organization that recognizes students who demonstrate exceptionalmath and verbal reasoning skills

● 8th grade class scored above average high school sophomores on the national PreliminaryScholastic Assessment Test (PSAT)

● Partnerships developed with MIT, Boston College and Lasell College● Science team ranked 13th in the state at the annual Science Olympiad● Family involvement over 50%

Innovation in education is only good if it produces results. At Parkside, we back up our

theories with objective standards. Through a combination of standardized tests and other

objective standards we are able to monitor the effectiveness of Parkside’s unique approach.

In a very short period of time, our students are already making their mark in the competitive world

of New England’s elite private and public schools. The principles of the X Factor curriculum

merged with the truth of the Christian faith have produced extraordinary results.

New Hyde Park Location

EXTRAORDINARYFUTURE

After 35 years in our Jamaica Plain location,

Parkside is moving to a larger school in

nearby Hyde Park. In spite of very difficult

economic conditions Parkside has experienced

remarkable growth over the last 4 years - increasing our

student body by 62%. This new facility will not only

accommodate our growth, it will help us meet the needs

of our new high school program, Cross Factor Academy.

● Expanded classroom space● Stage to enhance music and drama programs● Dedicated science labs● Cafeteria and multi-purpose room for functions● Large outdoor play area and sports fields

Images are conceptual only

EXTRAORDINARYOPPORTUNITY

Donors At this amount This amount

1 $400,000 = $400,000

1 $100,000 = $100,000

2 $20,000 = $40,000

2 $10,000 = $20,000

3 $5,000 = $15,000

6 $1,000 = $6,000

18 $500 = $9,000

20 $250 = $5,000

30 $100 = $3,000

40 $50 = $2,000

you have the opportunity to partner with us in making extraordinary

academic achievement of urban students seem ordinary.The evidence of a compelling vision can often be found

through the willingness of donors to invest. If the vision

is particularly compelling, they not only want to give,

they want others to share in their excitement. The trustees of the

Quincy and Estine Lee Charitable Trust Foundation are doing just

that by committing to a $400,000 2 for 1 challenge grant. For every

additional dollar we raise toward a goal of $200,000, they will

donate two dollars. Through this gift and your participation, we

have the opportunity to raise a total of $600,000 - propelling us to

a new level of financial stability and fundraising capacity.

Initiatives designed to impact urban students are plentiful. Finding

one that is as successful as Parkside is rare. Through this campaign

An Extraordinary Commitment

With capital needs of $200,000, Making the Extraordinary, Ordinary Campaign is a significant effort in the life ofParkside Christian Academy. It is both a challenge and a welcome goal that we believe is achievable and realisticwith God's help. The Board of Trustees, the Campaign members as well as the Faculty and Administration are

100% financially committed to the campaign and we ask for your participation as well.

Rarely does an opportunity present itself to be an agent of growth and change in such a significant way in the lives of ourchildren and future generations. Please join Parkside as we pursue this extraordinary vision for our school.

For more information, please contact Michael Dixon at mdixon@parksideca.org or Crystal Dixon at cdixon@parksideca.org.

Thank you.

P a r k s i d e C h r i s t i a n A c a d e m y

2 1 5 F o r e s t h i l l s s t r e e t

J a m a i c a p l a i n , M a s s a c h u s e t t s 0 2 1 3 0

w w w . p a r k s i d e c a . o r g

617.522.1841