Francis Parker School

95 students from Parker’s Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools competed in the San Diego County History Day Contest. The students worked for the last several months on projects related to the theme of Revolution, Reaction, and Reform. We would also like to extend a special thanks to all of the amazing faculty who have helped these students develop their reading, writing, critical thinking, and presentation skills!

Our Grade 8 students absolutely blew us away during their Theater Class Showcase. We are so proud of these rising stars!

“These kids blow me away each and every day. They actually give me hope for the future,” says longtime Parker Robotics mentor Tom Wetherald. A former Parker parent, Tom has volunteered with the program for an incredible 17 years—one of many Parker community members whose time, talent, and generosity help make programs like Robotics possible.

You can see that spirit in action when the San Diego FIRST Robotics Competition comes to the Francis Parker School Linda Vista Campus for the first time ever, March 20–22. The event will bring together 1,500+ participants and more than 40 125-pound robots—including one built by Parker’s own FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2485 Overclocked—to compete in this year’s game, Rebuilt. We hope our community will join us by volunteering or cheering on the teams.

Read more about Tom's work with Parker Robotics here: https://www.francisparker.org/community/news/post/~board/co-curriculars/post/donor-impact-securing-the-future-of-parker-robotics

Get ready to bring your Parker spirit and power student access to amazing education! Our 2026 Annual Gala, "Parker Pep Rally," is coming May 9, and tickets are on sale now! More info and tickets at https://www.francisparker.org/gala.

Thank you to our Class of 2026 student-athletes from the winter season for their hard work and dedication to the Lancer athletic program! From league titles to championship runs, we are so proud of the dedication of all our winter teams showcased this season.

JV Mock Trial Champions! Our JV Mock Trial team traveled to La Jolla Country Day for the inaugural JV Mock Trial Tournament—marking their final performance of the season and their very last time litigating the now-infamous poisonous mushroom murder case.

Parker students competed in two rigorous rounds against La Jolla Country Day, Canyon Crest Academy, and Eastlake High School. They walked away with invaluable feedback for next season and first place in the competition.

Congratulations to Parker’s Upper School robotics team, 2485 Overclocked, who competed at the FIRST Robotics Competition Port Hueneme District Event this past weekend and brought home the Gracious Professionalism Award, which recognizes high-quality work while emphasizing the value of others and respecting individuals as well as the community.

Next up: Our robotics team will be competing from Saturday, March 21, to Sunday, March 22, at the San Diego District event, hosted at Francis Parker School's Linda Vista Campus. This exciting, high-energy competition will bring 40 robotics teams from across Southern California to our campus for a weekend of innovation, competition, and engineering in action! The event is free and open to the public. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Parker community to see what Overclocked has been working on throughout their season. There are matches on both days, and we encourage you to stop by anytime and show your support! If you’d like to see the robots up close, we ask that you bring a pair of safety glasses and wear closed-toe shoes.

Students, families, and faculty came together for our Middle School International Potluck as part of Language, Culture, and Identity Week. Tables were filled with dishes representing traditions from around the world, creating an opportunity to share food, stories, and heritage.

The Middle School Chorus Concert put on a wonderful performance. Great job, everyone!

What is the history of History Day? A time-honored tradition at Parker for several decades, National History Day provides Lancers with an opportunity to hone their research and communication skills while diving into a topic that interests them. Since 1974, the National History Day competition has engaged more than half a million students each year. It includes local, state, and national divisions, with dozens of Parker students across the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools participating. This year's competition takes place on March 7, 2026, at the University of San Diego. We can't wait to see what our Lancers accomplish this year!

Check out the link in our bio to read five Lancer alums' favorite projects from their time in the History Day program.

Language, Culture, and Identity Week is a celebration of connection and community! Each unique story enriches our collective tapestry. Students on the Lower School Campus embraced the chance to honor their heritage and share the experiences that shape their identities. Thank you to our performers and parents who visited us throughout the week to share more about their cultures and backgrounds.