About Parham Elementary
The floors at Parham's Elementary School gleam-
reflecting the high standards, strong expectations, and dramatic progress of an inner city school in Cincinnati. Having revised its curriculum and developed a close, effective working relationship with Families-FORWARD, a community agency, Parham has become, in the words of the U.S. Secretary of Education,
"A model for the entire nation-a place from which all of us can, and should, learn."
Key Educational Features.
Parham houses grades pre-K through 8 and serves about 435 students. Ninety-eight percent of its students are African American and 89 percent come from low-income families. Several years ago the school had the lowest test scores and among the worst attendance of any Cincinnati Public School. In the last several years, however, Parham has gone from a school that the district targeted for intensive remediation to a school that the district praises for the dramatic improvements in student achievement it has produced.
Walking around the school, one sees pride expressed everywhere- from the kindergarten, where five-year olds proudly
demonstrate their ability to count by twos, threes, and fives, to a seventh- grade class where youngsters recite key parts of vital documents in American history.
The school provides space to Families FORWARD, a more than 125 year-old social service agency. Families-FORWARD provides several staff who work with families and students on many issues. It offers an extensive after school program for students in areas such as ballet, African dance, violin, homework clubs, test taking clubs, social skills, social skills, choir, and black history. Families FORWARD also provides staff who work with students during the school day, in collaboration with the school's faculty. After parents identify priorities, Families FORWARD provides classes and counseling on these topics. Classes take place at school and in homes.
District administrators praise the school's faculty, principal, families, and Families FORWARD. They agree that the collaboration is a model for the city, state, and nation. Families FORWARD has started working with other Cincinnati public schools, which are also recording improved student achievement and attendance.
Key Architectural Features.
Parham was built in 1970. The two-story brick structure has the traditional features of buildings from that era-hallways with classrooms on each side.
Impact on Students.
A few examples help illustrate the progress Parham students have made in the last few years. On Ohio's fourth grade writing test, the percentage of students passing more than doubled. The percentage of students passing more than doubled in writing, reading, mathematics, and science. On Ohio's sixth grade tests, the percentage of students passing the reading, math, science, and citizenship tests also more than doubled. The percentage of students passing the sixth grade citizenship test went from 22 to 84 percent.
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