Wellness at Parker Academy
At Parker Academy, wellness is not a separate program — it is the foundation that makes learning possible. We believe students learn best when they feel regulated, supported, and connected. Our approach to wellness is intentionally woven into every student’s day and supports academic growth, mental health, and overall well-being.
Movement and Physical Activity
Movement is a critical part of how students learn and regulate at Parker. Most students participate in a physical education class each semester, and physical activity — often outdoors — is built into everyone’s program. Whether students are hiking, skiing, walking, gardening, or participating in seasonal activities, movement helps regulate the nervous system, improve focus, and support emotional well-being.
Our adaptive PE program ensures that physical activity is accessible to all students. Activities are thoughtfully modified so that every student can participate at their own level and experience success, regardless of ability, confidence, or prior experience. The goal is not performance — it is engagement, regulation, and building a positive relationship with movement.
We intentionally prioritize outdoor activity whenever possible, even in the winter months. As we shared with families in our January newsletter, movement and time outside during the colder months are especially important for mental health, regulation, and learning. Winter activities provide structure, novelty, and physical input that help students stay engaged, reduce stress, and return to the classroom ready to learn.
Regulation & Emotional Awareness
Students at Parker learn to understand and manage their own levels of regulation using a shared 5-point scale. This common language helps students recognize how they are feeling, communicate their needs, and choose strategies that help them return to a place where they are ready to learn. Throughout the day, students practice using tools that support regulation, including movement, mindfulness, sensory strategies, time outdoors, and supportive check-ins with trusted adults. Over time, this builds independence, self-awareness, and confidence.
Counseling & Co-Regulation
Parker Academy has a full-time school counselor who is available to meet with students individually and in small groups throughout the day. Counseling support at Parker is intentionally integrated into the school environment rather than separated from it. Our counselor frequently pushes into classrooms and school activities, supporting students in real time as they navigate learning, social interactions, and emotional challenges.
All Parker Academy faculty and staff are trained in trauma-informed approaches and continue to engage in ongoing professional development to strengthen this work. Because of this shared framework, staff are able to support students in the moment, respond thoughtfully to dysregulation, and recognize when a student’s needs extend beyond what can be supported within the classroom. When that happens, staff collaborate with counseling and administrative teams to ensure students receive the support they need while maintaining safety and connection.
This approach helps create an environment of co-regulation, where students are supported by trusted adults as they learn to manage emotions, build coping strategies, and remain engaged in learning. By embedding counseling into daily life at Parker, students are able to practice skills where they are most needed — in the moment, in the classroom, and in relationships.
Relationships & Support
Every student at Parker is supported by a team of caring adults. Students have two advisors, along with access to additional support staff who are trained in trauma-informed care and relationship-based practices. This ensures that at any given time, students have multiple trusted adults they can turn to for support, guidance, or simply to be heard. Our goal is for every student to feel seen, known, and supported — not just by one person, but by the community as a whole.
A Positive, Strength-Based Environment
At Parker, we intentionally create an atmosphere of positivity and support. We focus on student strengths, growth, and successes, while providing compassionate support for challenges as they arise. Students are encouraged to take risks, try again, and see themselves as capable learners. Our school environment also includes Jasper, our school dog, along with other classroom animals who provide comfort, connection, and emotional support when students need it most.
Wellness as a Pathway to Learning
When students feel safe, regulated, and supported, they are ready to learn. By integrating movement, emotional awareness, counseling, relationships, and strength-based practices into daily life at Parker, we help students build the skills they need to succeed academically, socially, and personally — both in school and beyond.
I would (and have) recommend Parker Academy to any parent who has a special needs child, who cannot succeed in the public school system. Parker's approach with my child has made a huge difference, and in the past year we have seen so much personal growth.
Questions? Contact us today to schedule a tour or meeting with one of our team members.
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