What the Parents and Alumni are saying:
I can personally say that I owe all of my successes to Paragon. Without Paragon I would not have been prepared for high school nor college. Paragon prepares students for more than they can imagine, the students will finally realize it once they are getting ready to apply for colleges and even while they are discussing their middle school memories with others.
Haneen Sakakini, Class of 2004
I snuck in the back of the parent presentation
yesterday and I was just thinking how much I appreciated the insight
into the world of 12 year old boys and how fortunate we were to have
Grant at Paragon under your leadership...
....and then I became even more appreciative when I picked up my
grinning son today who was totally covered in mud! This is the same
boy who stayed up late last night studying for a World Cultures test
and drafting ideas for his short story, and then insisted on getting
up early to study for a potential science pop quiz.... What a fabulous
school which inspires him to push himself intellectually and
academically, and to then totally relax and blow off steam and enjoy
being a crazy kid in the mud!!!!
Just had to say thanks again,
Cathy McHorse
Parent
of Grant McHorse (Class of 2010) and Allison McHorse (Class of 2012)
I had essentially taken freshman year at Paragon, so 9th grade was a breeze. I would have honestly sunk there. I cannot understate the value of education and opportunity Paragon provided for me.
Austin Tobin, Class of 2004
Academically, Paragon helped our seventh grader
score an 1150 on his first
SAT exam. But more importantly, Paragon helped him live the learning
best
expressed by Mark Twain: “I have never let my schooling interfere with
my
education."
Many, many thanks! Jessica Forrest,
Parent
Now in her fourth year at Paragon, Kate still
can't wait to get to school each morning. The rigorous college-prep
courses provide the educational challenges she seeks. But it's
the dedicated and caring faculty and staff who make
Paragon the special and unique place that it is.
Thank you,
Paragon! Rani Clasquin & Eric Harslem
Paragon Prep prepared me for high school because
the teachers at Paragon hold the students to very high standards.
These standards translate to the students having high standards for
themselves, which makes the transition to high school, where a lot is
expected of students, a lot easier.
Katie Fitzpatrick,
Class of 2002
Paragon creatively concocts the perfect recipe
for bright adolescents: begin with a classically driven curriculum
seasoned with open-minded innovation, high moral expectations with a
good dose of humor and a hilarious pinch of irreverence. Then add
competitive spirit on the field and in the classroom, blended with
genuine care so that each student and athlete feels a valued part of
the school. But their secret and unique ingredient: the total focus is
on the middle schoolers’ needs with the aim to provide the best
preparation possible for high school. We as ourselves how is it
possible that all this takes place in such a modest building with no
aggressive fundraising or fancy bells and whistles. How do they turn
out kids with a disciplined work ethic and a passion for learning?
Now we know. Our son, Caleb, comes home everyday with stories of
friendship, teamwork, and a mind brimming full of new thoughts.
Paragon Prep is one of the smartest decisions we have ever made.
Camille and Sandy Kress, Parents of Caleb
Kress (Class of 2008) and Molly Kress (Class of 2012)
Having had two children attend Paragon (one still there), we have been so impressed with the education and nurturing environment that Paragon offers. In addition to the excellence in academics, there has been a valued emphasis on the development of skills towards their future academic success that is often missed by teaching institutions. My wife joins me in congratulating Paragon in achieving these difficult and rewarding educational goals.
Adele and Victor C. Yi
My wife and I have been exceptionally pleased with Paragon Prep. It's amazing how much kids can learn when they are provided outstanding teachers armed with a strong curriculum and high expectations.
Mike
Brown
Honestly, I am at a loss for words to appropriately express how pleased we are with our experience, and most importantly, Alec's experience at Paragon. He finally feels like he fits in. He comes home everyday with only positive things to say and approaches each school day with enthusiasm. We, as parents, believe this is one of the best decisions we have ever made in the upbringing of our child.
Mary
Brown
We sent a fifth grader to Paragon Prep who, as he often said, would
"rather eat worms" than go to school. Paragon gave us back a child
who loves to learn and actually wants to go to school. Our son's
experiences at Paragon have changed his life in such positive,
constructive, and concrete ways that we can't say enough to express
our happiness and gratitude (and relief!) to the faculty and staff.
Julie and Lee Parsley, parents of Will Parsley (Class of
2007)
I knew Paragon Prep was a different type of middle school from the first time I walked in the front door. A student, on her way out, stepped back, opened the door for me, looked me in the eye, smiled and said, “Hello!” Whoever that girl was she forever imprinted on me the Paragon difference. Besides being smart, Paragon kids are happy to be a part of the Paragon family and that attitude spills over into everything they do. For Maria the past three years have been invaluable. Thanks to Paragon’s outstanding faculty and nurturing environment, she has developed tremendously on all levels—academics, self-confidence, maturity, character, critical thinking—you name it. She’s also had tons of fun, and has loved every minute of her middle school years. Paragon’s unique environment gave Maria a safe place to thrive and blossom, and taught her how to achieve and do her best.
Thank
you, Paragon Prep! Anne and David Sterrett
What if we could get rid of all the politicians, bureaucrats, and administrators and just let the teachers do what they love to do? Well, at Paragon Prep they did just that. At Paragon, it's all about the educational experience and it's great. Maren, our sixth grader couldn't be happier, we couldn't be happier, and these teachers are having so much fun we're almost envious.
Ben and Pamela Stone, parents of Maren Stone (Class of 2008) and Wes Stone (Class of 2010)
Paragon prepared me for the rigorous IB Program in High School and helped me juggle friends, clubs and school at the same time. My favorite memory of Paragon was traveling to Washington DC with my class! That trip helped to spark the love of Politics that made me choose going to school in downtown Washington.
John Sakakini, Class of 2001
Paragon has been for me not only a
school, but also a family, a challenge, an aspiration, and a
foundation. I have been prepared for a life of knowing myself fully
and loving myself wholly at Paragon, while learning how to become
confident and successful in whatever I do. I guess it is true what
they say; middle school does make a difference. It did for me.
Laura Benold, Class of 2000
The founders of Paragon understand
two things very well--how middle school aged children think and what
they need in order to prosper, and, that a very key ingredient in
education is hiring outstanding teachers who possess a passion for
their subject and a joy in sharing that knowledge with their students.
Paragon is a gem in middle school education.
Bob & Denise
Fletcher
Whenever anyone asks Niki how she
likes Paragon , she says, "I love it!!!".When they ask what she loves
about it, Niki says "The teachers are so nice; they make learning fun
and it feels like a big family".
Val
and Jeff Newberg
Paragon is a happy place.
The kids work hard and play hard.
Our son is working harder and doesn't even realize it.
He wants to succeed for himself and his teachers.
He is much happier and looks forward to going to school.
He thinks Paragon is much more relaxed than his previous school.
Mr. Cash is the best!
Keep up the good work!
Rich Lampert
If you could create a place where the teachers loved to teach, where they enthusiastically embraced the unruly, awkward, emotionally evolving age group of 10-14; and a place where the students clamored to go, loved to be day in and day out, and longed to find again once they had left, you would have created Paragon. If you could arm every child with the strength of purpose to follow their path, the resolve to do their best, and the compassion to embrace the talents and differences of others, you would have replicated the effect Paragon has on each and every one of its students. It is a remarkable place of extraordinary people.
Melissa and Scott Greenwell
Paragon was like an oasis to
Olivia after moving from California to Texas. She felt like she was
back in a dynamic, challenging and stimulating educational environment
after attending (serving?) one year in the AISD. She is thriving!
Paragon is not just a fantastic school with great teachers and
administration, yet it is a culture which embraces the middle school
emotional challenges facing parents today. It's reassuring getting the
support parents deserve as we develop
character, as well as a love for higher learning in our children.
Katherine Berkeley
Paragon completely changed Katy's academic performance and boosted her self confidence. She thrives in an atmosphere that challenges her to think and reason beyond standard textbook information. It's rare for her to miss a day of school because she looks forward to every day.
Kim & Jimmy Martens
The simplest way I can describe Paragon is they (the kids AND teachers) work really hard and play really hard. Somehow that dynamic is extremely motivating and nurturing to middle school students.
Diane and Leonard Dougal, parents of Evan Dougal (Class of 2007) and Ross Dougal (Class of 2010)
Brian and I had no doubts as to
whether we would send our son to Paragon after our daughter had
attended there all four years. We know our children are getting and
have gotten an extraordinary education at Paragon. We know they
are safe and that they ALWAYS have a good time. My son, who has been
there since 9/05, so eloquently put it "I have the best teachers and
go to the best school in the world!". I couldn't have said it better
myself.
Brian and Tracy Brown, parents of Samantha Brown (Class of 2004) and Will Brown (Class of 2009)