Parker Performing Arts School - Parker, Colorado

Katie M.

I have a kindergartner and a third-grader at PPA right now. I love this school. For my son's kindergarten and first grade years, we drove 45 minutes from North Denver to attend, and then we moved out here in 2020.

Each classroom not only has a teacher but also has a teacher's assistant, so there's additional help in the classrooms, and a lot of schools do not have that. They also have the same teacher for two years, so the teacher knows your child, and your child has a great relationship with their teacher. I love that they get to do tumbling, music theater, art, and music, as well as math, literacy, science, and social studies.

The school's culture is unparalleled; we have great rates of diversity and a culture of acceptance. I love that I get emails from both the administration and my kid's teachers weekly with updates.

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, we had a bullying situation in first grade, but the way it was handled was beyond impressive. The administration immediately called me, the kids were spoken with, and it was taken. The admins then checked in with my son and me two days later and again two weeks later.

I adore the performances and how they make everything tie together both academically and with the arts. The school is K through eight, which is a huge deal because I had to move a lot as a child. Now I know that my kids will have the same community for basically the first nine years of their life. And even though the school goes K through eight, it still has about the same amount of students as a typical elementary school, and every single one of those teachers in that school knows my children and cares for them.

Beth R.

I love that my kids get a very well rounded education. My son's have thrived in the atmosphere that sees them as whole people not just numbers assigned to mandatory tests. They get all of the academic rigor while also being given experience in the arts which I have found have been severely cut back or out in so many schools. The teachers and staff actually care about all of the kids and seem to know them on a personal level even when they aren't their main teachers. I love the fusion of Ipad learning paired with pen to paper so the kids are comfortable in analog and digital worlds. There have been so many opportunities for participating in plays and school events that my kids are actually excited to go to school. I also appreciate that the school works with parents on all of their concerns and is always happy and willing to communicate openly, honestly, and without judgement on their and your concerns about your students and school policy.
Also the before/after care, Spotlight, is fantastic with caring and engaging staff. When I do need extra help my boys aren't upset they had to stay late/go early because they have fun and know the people there care about them.

Olivia P.

This school is not the best. The teachers here are nice, but there is a lot of toxic people. Also I feel like the school dose not do the best job at representing there students! I am an all state chior kid. I got in the Allstate choir out of like 30 kid who tried. It was a big thing. NOT EVEN THE PRINCIPAL CONGRATULATED ME! This school put the popular people first. This school is not very including. Over all not my favorite school. I also love this school because they have arts that’s about it.

Kenna E.

There are flaws in this school, but it is overall a good school if you are seeking a performing art experience. The best part of this school is the staff and facility. They all support each and every student in their educational needs. The only downside is that the stage makeup. They always reuse it each year, which is extremely unsanitary. The cleanliness of the school isn’t the best. But, the school opened in 2016, so I can’t criticize too much. The security is amazing; the security guard gets to know each and every student, which makes the students feel more safe. As a freshly graduated 8th grader, I personally think this school is a great school. Thank you for your time and service.

Flora D.

Their performances are amazing but so are the academics. The administration has helped my children through some difficult times. I love that all the teachers in the school know and care about the kids and they ALWAYS do what is in the best interest of the students.

Ana W.

This school has a very supportive range of middle school teachers. It is clean, and the dance teachers are incredible. The nurse has been an issue, not letting me take pain medications even with parents permission and when I was in visible pain. The classes range levels depending on the teacher, and the math and literature have groups and higher levels available, and are put into those groups depending on your STAR testing scores. The iPads are used in helpful ways and prevent students from losing their homework or "forgetting" it at home. It helps show responsibility because they have to charge it, and they are expensive, so you take good care of them. The office ladies are decently helpful, and provide a take to put things you drop off for your kid, such as a forgotten lunch or poster board. This school is perfect for middle school, for kids who have an interest in choir, ballet, modern/contemporary, some Latin dance, orchestra, band, and technology. They even provide a very fun movie making class, which is multimedia production. I suggest this school very much, just pack your own lunches.

Stephen F.

Great school. My daughter is thriving at the school and is happy to be there. She is in the gifted program and I was concerned if should be challenged and she is. They keep her engaged, giving her work that is at her level. She is physically getting lots of exercise with her dance class, lots of music with her orchestra class and is engaged with her musical theater class. I couldn't ask for a better school.

Amara F.

As an 8th grader at PPA, I can confidently say I love it. I wrote a review a few years back, but I wanted to add more and reiterate.

1. Uniforms are amazing. Some people dislike the idea of having to wear a specific thing each day. I get that. However, PPA does not have your classic uniform. Students are able to wear leggings, comfortable polos, a variety of spirit hoodies, and whatever shoes. Our clothing is pretty accommodating for those who don’t conform to the ideals of masculinity and femininity. Anyone can where pants no matter the gender.

2. The teachers are some of the best I’ve ever had. Every teacher I have right now makes me want to come to school. They are at PPA because they love teaching and helping students succeed. I can tell you that each and every one of them would help me in a heartbeat if I asked for it. They aren’t too strict, but I still feel like situations are handled if they need to be.

3. There’s a great selection of classes. Personally, I came to PPA so I could get an education in more than just academics. I know this school understands that so many skills have value. That’s why they offer orchestra, band, dance, theatre, musical theatre, choir, theatre design, visual arts, Shakespeare, Student Aide (class where 7-8th graders help in elementary classrooms), multimedia, debate, guitar, and piano. That’s only in middle school. Elementary takes tumbling, visual arts, dance, theatre and music. Every class was specially designed so us students can get the best education possible.

4. PPA is constantly becoming better. Personally, I have noticed such an uptick in student involvement over the past few years. Our school has started to offer Thespian Troupe, DnD club, chess club, Spanish club, after school plays, Student Council, and most recently an NJHS chapter. Some people might say that because we are an art school we do not value the academics. That’s not true at all. I personally believe I have learned more here than anywhere else. I have seen such a focus on making sure we are at or beyond state standards.

5. You will find some of your closest friends here. Personally, I have never found closer relationships than at this school. People are so dedicated because they made the effort to come here. They took the time to be a part of a group that cares. As an 8th grader, I feel so grateful whenever I look over and see what wonderful relationships I’ve created. We have the most passionate, kind, hardworking, energetic, and purely happy people.

I can’t say enough about how much I will miss this school. Over the past four years, PPA has felt like my family. No matter where I go in life, I will know this school was part of helping me get there. Thank you to all of my amazing teachers and faculty ❤️

P.S. Our tech guy told me if I write a review to say how awesome he (which is true) So shout out to Mr. Beta Fish 🐠