Our Story

1996-1999

From 1996 through 1999 our pilot project – 'Project Rebound' targeted 10 students who improved their test scores in the core subjects for reading, math, and spelling an average of just over 20 percentage points. The students came from Norfolk Public School middle schools and were reading on the second grade level.

Because their IQ scores were borderline (mid-to-high '70's), they were ineligible for special education services through the public school system; yet they kept falling further and further behind their classmates in the critical areas of reading, math, and spelling. After completion of our three year pilot project our students were re-enrolled back into Norfolk Public Schools working at/or above grade level. All of the students which attended 'Project Rebound' graduated high school.

2000

Park Place United Methodist Church donated two floors of their educational building to the school. In six months, the Board of Directors raised over $300,000 to renovate the donated space. Construction began on classrooms, educational therapy rooms, resource rooms, administrative offices, library, and the entire facility was like new.

2001-2004

2001 was Park Place Schools first year of operation with two fourth grade classes, each with 12 students. When beginning the fourth grade our students were performing just above the second grade level in most areas with a 45% disparity. By the end of the first year students had closed the gap completely in math and kept their reading and spelling disparity from increasing. At completion of the three year program Park Place Schools first class of students had an average gain of 40% points in math, 28% points in reading, and 18% points in spelling. This was an extraordinary accomplishment when most students with learning deficits on average struggle to maintain their current level of performance and normally fall even further behind.

2004-2007

Our 2004-2007 student body began the third grade performing just above the first grade level in most areas. At the completion of the program students had an average gain of 31% points in math, 13% points in reading, and 21% points in spelling. These students realized increased IQ levels (6-23 points) from the time they entered Park Place School to the time they graduated. Something that most psychologists say is impossible.

2007-2010

Our 2007-2010 student body began in a combined second/third grade. This was the first time in the history of the school we had a combined two grades of students. These students realized increased IQ levels of on average of eight points from the time they entered Park Place School to the time they graduated. At the completion of the program students had an average gain of 14% points in math, 7% points in reading, and 11% points in spelling, and 26% points in written expression.