The curriculum is comprehensive and is based on the assumption that students need skills as well as specific content. All courses teach the study skills that are necessary to master a subject. Technologies including computers, video, and distance learning are utilized, but not at the expense of traditional teaching methods. Tutorials are often a major aspect of a student's academic program. Meeting individually with the teacher for regular instruction and help sessions reinforces classroom instruction. Tutorial sessions are scheduled based upon need.
Parker Academy offers a
full range of curricula meeting NH Department of Education Standards for both middle and high schools and leading
to a regular high school diploma (or credits for transfer to other schools). In addition to courses required by the
State, there are a variety of electives comprising the curriculum, which is both rich and rigorous. These courses,
including such choices as AP French and AP Spanish, AP Calculus, Law, Film, Computer Graphics and Web Page Design
have been offered to meet students' needs and interests.
High school students must earn 21 credits for a Parker Academy diploma; these include the requirements issued by the NH State Department of Education and are outlined in detail in the Parker Academy Student Handbook. Students attending Parker Academy through a special education placement may be working towards a diploma from their sending school. The specific courses to be taken, other diploma requirements to be completed and how credits will be transferred is arranged out by the Individualized Education Plan team during the admissions process. Courses at Parker Academy meet daily for one hour for either a full year (one credit) or a half year (.5 credits). In some instances, quarter credit courses may be offered; these may be concentrated electives to fulfill a specific interest or need or, as in the case of Art, a program integrated into the core curriculum, with specific instruction distributed over a semester or year.
The Parker Academy student-to-faculty ratio is 3:1, with an average class size of five students. Students are grouped heterogeneously and by ability depending on the class. Students from a wider range of ages may be grouped together for all-school activities such as clubs or special interest classes. Students are also offered individual tutoring as indicated above based on a need for specific courses required to make progress towards a regular diploma or to meet individual instructional needs.