Parkdale School
| Parkdale School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
|
11648 - 85 Street Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 3E5, Canada | |
| Information | |
| School board | Edmonton Public Schools |
| School type | Public |
| Grades | K-9 |
| Mascot | Phoenix |
| Founded | 1912 |
Parkdale School is a city centre K-9 public school located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Built in 1912, it is one of Edmonton's oldest schools. Parkdale is currently one of seven schools belonging to the Edmonton Public Schools City Centre Education Project.
Parkdale is one of five Edmonton Public Schools that operates on a modified school calendar. Students attend classes the same number of days as other schools, but breaks are spread differently throughout the year. Instead of the customary two month summer holiday that is enjoyed by other Edmonton students, Parkdale’s summer is condensed to five weeks in July. The intent of the modified school year is to keep students engaged and able to retain knowledge easier after breaks. There are both supporters and critics of this system.
Roughly 60% of Parkdale students have an aboriginal heritage, and the school's programs and methods often reflect this. Aboriginal awareness and culture is integrated into classroom learning. Optional Cree language and Cree culture courses are offered to its grade 7-9 students.
Architecture
Parkdale was built in 1912 for $1,000,000. Its Collegiate Gothic style is considered an uninspired version of the Gothic Revival design and was common for educational buildings built in Canada from 1900 to 1925. The three-storey building constructed of brick and Bedford trim features a crenulated roof line, Tudor arches, buttressing, a crest inscribed with the construction date, and traditional separate entrances for boys and men.
In 1919, to ease overcrowding at other area schools, four classrooms were added to the third floor. In 1957 a $805,000 gymnasium was built on the east side of the building. The fourth floor gymnasium was converted into classrooms and a library.
History
1912 fire
Parkdale School was scheduled to open on April 13, 1913, but was delayed a month due to a fire which cost more than $20,000. The mythological Phoenix was chosen as the school mascot because it symbolizes their principle, rising from the ashes, and Parkdale School rose from ashes too.
Closing
Parkdale School was closed on June 19, 2010. The subject received much controversy from concerned parents and people that live close by. The School is now currently leased to and used as the main office for Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.
Students
- Edgar (Spike) Millen, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer who was killed in 1932 by Albert Johnson-- the Mad Trapper of Rat Creek—studied at Parkdale from 1913-1920.
- Seven members of the Edmonton Grads girls basketball team first played the game in Parkdale's third floor gymnasium before moving on to McDougall Commercial High School. At one point the Grads starting line-up was composed of all Parkdale girls. From 1915 to 1940, the Grads won 502 of 522 games, held 108 local, provincial, national, and international titles.
- Dr. Boris Boyko, joined the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic as a consultant in 1994. He has served as an Edmonton Oilers team doctor and is currently an Edmonton Eskimos medical staff member.
External links
Community partnerships
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada In-School Mentoring
- The Family Centre
- United Way's Partners for Kids