Click Here! for School Improvement Plan Statement of Philosophy and Goals The purpose of Parkdale High School is to educate all students to higher levels of academic performance, while promoting positive growth in social/emotional behaviors and attitudes. We accept the responsibility of teaching all students so that they can attain their maximum educational potential. The staff believes that all students can learn and improve skills regardless of their previous academic performance, family background, socio-economic status, race, gender, or handicapping conditions. We further believe in the inherent worth of each individual, and that the critical components of human dignity are to be economically self-sufficient; to have marketable skills; to be useful in the community; and to be of service to our fellow man. While we recognize the need to reinforce established community values, we must remain committed to maintaining the flexibility necessary to adjust to change as well as develop this trait in our students. We emphasize our belief that all concepts of our philosophy are best protected and preserved within the context of a democratic society. We also believe that the success of a democratic society depends upon an enlightened citizenry aware of its cultural heritage and of the need for responsible participation in the governing process. It is our further belief that the enactment of this philosophy can best be accomplished through the effective school process. This is a process that seeks to implement those essential components necessary for the successful operation of an educational institution. We maintain that the effective school process is most effective when it is applied through the governance of school based management, the concept that those professionals working most directly with students can best determine the needs of students and how the school should be managed to meet those needs. Our belief in this concept has resulted in the establishment of a School Improvement Team, consisting of faculty and staff, representing all varying components of the school, and acting as a board of directors. Policy decisions regarding the philosophy and focus of the school and its operation are made by the Team. In support of this philosophy, our goals are based on establishing an essential curricular and extracurricular program that will include four categories of essential competencies: Lifelong Learning Skills Humanities Natural Sciences/Mathematics Personal and Career Development Further, we intend to accomplish this in a positive atmosphere of order, where students feel they are respected as persons of worth, while hopefully developing a respect for their fellow human beings.