Type Public school Principal Megan Pardue Students 2,100 Mascot Braves Motto "Be Brave, Dream Big." | Established 1955 Administrative staff 134 Phone +1 904-720-1650 Founded 1955 | |
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Location Jacksonville, Florida, USA Address 7301 Parker School Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32211, USA Similar Bishop Kenny High Sch, Providence School, Bolles School, Ridgeview High School, Bishop John J Snyder Hi | ||
Terry parker high school kids rapping in class
Terry Parker High School is a public high school in the Duval County Public School district, located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
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Namesake
In 1955, philanthropist H. Terry Parker and his family deeded 30 acres (120,000 m2) of property in Arlington for the erection of a public school in the Duval County area. The Arlington Parent-Teachers Association nominated Parker to be the school's namesake and it was approved by the school board.
In 1958, Parker made a gift of one half the cost of seating and lighting installations at Parker Athletic Field. Sixty red and black wool uniforms were given to Terry Parker Band by Mrs. Parker.
Band
The band program at Parker has a successful tradition. Joe Lippo was director of the band when it marched in the 1965 Inaugural Parade for President Lyndon Johnson. Ward Green was a Senior at Parker who played the clarinet at the time, but 36 years later, he was the Terry Parker band director when they marched in the 2001 Inaugural Parade for President George W. Bush. The Terry Parker Marching Braves were one of the top marching and concert bands in Florida and the only band from Florida invited to perform. Mr. Green retired in 2004 after 29 years at Parker and Green's former intern, Jim Beck replaced him. The band has continued their tradition of excellence.
Jim Beck resigned as director at the end of the 2007-2008 school year to teach at a school in a neighboring county. Yannick Innis replaced Jim Beck beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and brought a fresh new outlook to the band program. After only one year Yannick Innis resigned, and Ryan Bricknell replaced him, with his mind set on continuing the proud history of the Terry Parker High School band program. Mr. Bricknell left Terry Parker at the end of the 2012-13 school year and was replaced by Bill McClendon. One of the first noticeable things Mr. McClendon did was to reach out to the band alumni in an effort to gain support in restoring the band program to its glory days.
Improvement
Terry Parker was one of 11 schools nationwide selected by the College Board for inclusion in the EXCELerator School Improvement Model program beginning the 2006-2007 school year. The project was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Swimming pool
The school has an outdoor pool which is used by the athletic teams and physical education classes during the academic year; then it becomes a free public pool operated by the City of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department during the summer months.
Hall of Fame
Thirty Terry Parker High School graduates, former teachers and former staff members were inducted into the school's inaugural Hall of Fame as part of the school's 50th anniversary festivities April 1, 2005. A reunion celebration was held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium with entertainment, food, dancing and the Hall of Fame inductions. Inductees were selected on the basis of their exemplary achievements in athletics, health and medicine, arts and entertainment, public service, business and industry, volunteerism, philanthropy or education.