Our Founder

Cheryl Thomas Parchia, Ed. D.

Educator, curriculum writer, counselor, consultant, researcher, and administrator, Dr. Cheryl Parchia has spent her career working with diverse children of all ages and grade levels and their families in myriad settings. Committed to equity, and decreasing both the academic achievement gap and dropout rate between urban and majority children, she is dedicated to school reform. Her philosophy of education is simply this - if educators have the will to educate children - the children will learn.

For more than two decades she has implemented effective interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts, including a schools-university partnership, and designed curricula that have met the needs of diverse families, schools, and communities. A proponent of multicultural education and a proficient speaker of Spanish she was named Outstanding Teacher in 1990. A lifelong learner, she holds baccalaureate degrees in Spanish and English as a Second language from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well as a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology. Earning a second Master's and Doctor of Education degree from Harvard University, Dr. Parchia received the Edmonds-Cheng Award for her research on issues of diversity, and supervised graduate students in internships throughout Massachusetts.

A highly sought conference speaker, Dr. Parchia was invited and participated in a prestigious Round Table discussion regarding charter schools at Oxford University in Oxford, England.

Dr. Parchia's experience, concern for all children, and passion for education is reflected in the vision, mission, and goals of ScholARTS Public Community Schools.

Our Mission
The mission of ScholARTS Public Community Schools is to increase literacy and high school graduation rates of urban children.

Our Vision
Our community schools create learning adventures through arts and academics that will motivate diverse children to achieve their maximum potential, graduate from high school, become lifelong learners, and productive members of their communities. The schools empower scholars and teachers to make their own choices, discipline themselves, and create positive experiences for themselves, their families, and their communities. The schools foster community partnerships and will share best practices with a broad scope of institutions and agencies. This sharing of information may change educational practices and thereby serve to increase the number of urban children who graduate from high school.

Our Guiding Principle:
All children can learn. If teachers have the will to educate children-the children will learn.

Our Core Values
Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Fairness, and Compassion

Our Star Principles
Respect for All, Creativity, Excellence, Perserverance, and Integrity