Commonwealth-Parkville School (Puerto Rico)
Encyclopedia
Commonwealth–Parkville School (CPS), founded in 1952, and incorporated in Puerto Rico, is a private, college preparatory day school. It is a non-sectarian, non-profit, co-educational institution governed by a Board of Directors. CPS provides an integrated and ambitious PPK-12 curriculum in English with a strong program in Spanish.
It is located on two campuses: Parkville Campus in Guaynabo, PR (grades PPK-6), and Commonwealth Campus in Hato Rey, San Juan, PR (grades 7-12). The membership of the corporation consists of parents and guardians of children attending Commonwealth-Parkville School.
CPS’ history dates back to 1951 when several families relocated to Puerto Rico to work with the Economic Development Administration (Fomento). The main obstacle these parents faced was the lack of English language schools for their children. They began looking for physical facilities and studying the requirements to create an English school that would fulfill their need for excellence in education.
They rented a community center located in the Roosevelt neighborhood in Hato Rey, where Commonwealth Middle and High School are located today. The school began with 92 students, eight teachers, and eight classrooms. Every year a new grade was added until 1961, when Commonwealth School graduated it’s first twelfth grade class of 10 students.
Parallel to Commonwealth High School’s founding is the history of the San Juan School by the Sea. These two schools instituted a new educational system in the history of education in Puerto Rico. Seven parents started the San Juan by the Sea Elementary School. It consisted of a kindergarten through sixth grade and was located in a rented apartment in Condado. Later, the school moved to a property in Punta Las Marías.
In 1964, Commonwealth was full to capacity and grades kindergarten through twelfth needed more classrooms to accommodate all students. Parkville School in Guaynabo was then built to serve as the elementary campus. The three schools: Commonwealth, San Juan by the Sea, and Parkville, constituted the Caribbean Consolidated Schools system, which was incorporated in 1964.
In 1979, the Board of Directors voted to sell San Juan by the Sea and improve facilities at Parkville and Commonwealth Campuses. Since, both campuses have witnessed tremendous growth including increased enrollment, improved and major renovation of facilities (including setup for the Horizons Program), addition of administrative positions and the creation of an endowment fund to allow a limited number of talented students who otherwise could not afford to attend CPS to be admitted. As a non-profit 501(C) 3, CPS was recently granted a $50,000 matching grant for professional development training in digital educational programs that enhance student-faculty connections in grades 9-12.
Humanities:
Journalism,
Songs as Poetry,
Mythology,
Fairy Tales,
Creative Writing,
Sociology,
Psychology,
African-American Studies,
Cine,
Latin American Short Stories,
Science & Math:
Robotics,
Environmental Science,
Forensic Science,
Anatomy & Physiology,
Advanced Placement (A.P.) Biology,
Marine Biology,
College Prep. Math,
Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry,
Pre-Calculus,
Calculus,
Business Math,
Math in Science,
Fine & Performing Arts:
Art History,
Art Appreciation,
Art Workshop,
Drawing,
Painting,
Sculpture,
Jewelry,
Printmaking,
Mosaic,
Stained Glass,
Ceramic,
Music,
Music History,
Advanced Music Theory,
Monologues,
Band,
Drama,
Play Production,
Stagecraft,
History of the American Musical,
Dramatic Performance,
The ESL Program has been designed for those students who lack proficiency in the English language due to different factors. The main goals of this special group are to develop the student’s communicative and linguistic competencies in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Special attention will be focused on developing vocabulary through form and pronunciation, to promote a basic understanding of the English language. The teacher will use a variety of methods, techniques, and materials to achieve the objectives.
In addition, CHS is a member of the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Association (P.R.H.S.A.A.) and participates in volleyball, soccer, indoor soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, and cross-country.
It is located on two campuses: Parkville Campus in Guaynabo, PR (grades PPK-6), and Commonwealth Campus in Hato Rey, San Juan, PR (grades 7-12). The membership of the corporation consists of parents and guardians of children attending Commonwealth-Parkville School.
History
Commonwealth-Parkville School (formerly known as Caribbean Preparatory School) is a private, college preparatory day school founded in 1952 and incorporated in Puerto Rico. It is a non-sectarian, non-profit, co-educational institution governed by a Board of Directors. CPS provides an integrated and ambitious PPK-12 curriculum in English with a strong program in Spanish.CPS’ history dates back to 1951 when several families relocated to Puerto Rico to work with the Economic Development Administration (Fomento). The main obstacle these parents faced was the lack of English language schools for their children. They began looking for physical facilities and studying the requirements to create an English school that would fulfill their need for excellence in education.
They rented a community center located in the Roosevelt neighborhood in Hato Rey, where Commonwealth Middle and High School are located today. The school began with 92 students, eight teachers, and eight classrooms. Every year a new grade was added until 1961, when Commonwealth School graduated it’s first twelfth grade class of 10 students.
Parallel to Commonwealth High School’s founding is the history of the San Juan School by the Sea. These two schools instituted a new educational system in the history of education in Puerto Rico. Seven parents started the San Juan by the Sea Elementary School. It consisted of a kindergarten through sixth grade and was located in a rented apartment in Condado. Later, the school moved to a property in Punta Las Marías.
In 1964, Commonwealth was full to capacity and grades kindergarten through twelfth needed more classrooms to accommodate all students. Parkville School in Guaynabo was then built to serve as the elementary campus. The three schools: Commonwealth, San Juan by the Sea, and Parkville, constituted the Caribbean Consolidated Schools system, which was incorporated in 1964.
In 1979, the Board of Directors voted to sell San Juan by the Sea and improve facilities at Parkville and Commonwealth Campuses. Since, both campuses have witnessed tremendous growth including increased enrollment, improved and major renovation of facilities (including setup for the Horizons Program), addition of administrative positions and the creation of an endowment fund to allow a limited number of talented students who otherwise could not afford to attend CPS to be admitted. As a non-profit 501(C) 3, CPS was recently granted a $50,000 matching grant for professional development training in digital educational programs that enhance student-faculty connections in grades 9-12.
Parkville Curriculum
Lower & Upper Elementary, Horizons Program- English
- Math
- Science
- Dance
- Visual Arts
- Physical Education
- Character Education Program
- Spanish
- Social Studies
- Fine Arts
- Music
- Drama Educational
- Technology Program
- Early Childhood Program
Commonwealth Curriculum
Middle & High School, Horizons Program- English
- Math
- Science
- Dance
- Ethics
- Visual Arts
- Fine Arts
- Physical Education
- Community Service Program
- Spanish
- History
- Fine Arts
- Music
- Jr. Ethics
- Drama
- Music
- Health
- Computer Application
- Enrichment Courses
Elective Courses
Courses listed are subject to change from year to year.Humanities:
Journalism,
Songs as Poetry,
Mythology,
Fairy Tales,
Creative Writing,
Sociology,
Psychology,
African-American Studies,
Cine,
Latin American Short Stories,
Science & Math:
Robotics,
Environmental Science,
Forensic Science,
Anatomy & Physiology,
Advanced Placement (A.P.) Biology,
Marine Biology,
College Prep. Math,
Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry,
Pre-Calculus,
Calculus,
Business Math,
Math in Science,
Fine & Performing Arts:
Art History,
Art Appreciation,
Art Workshop,
Drawing,
Painting,
Sculpture,
Jewelry,
Printmaking,
Mosaic,
Stained Glass,
Ceramic,
Music,
Music History,
Advanced Music Theory,
Monologues,
Band,
Drama,
Play Production,
Stagecraft,
History of the American Musical,
Dramatic Performance,
Commonwealth Campus Clubs
- American Civics Program
- Art Club
- Band & Choir
- Drama Club
- EF Tours Spring Break Trip
- ForensicsForensicsForensic science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system. This may be in relation to a crime or a civil action...
- Interact Club (San Juan Rotary Club)
- Junior Science Club
- Liga Oratoria
- Photography
- Math Bowl
- Math Bowl, Jr.
- National Honor SocietyNational Honor SocietyThe National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
- National Junior Honor Society
- Network Program
- Recycling Club
- Student CouncilStudent councilStudent council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
- Model United NationsModel United NationsModel United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
- Varsity ClubVarsity ClubThe Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...
Parkville Campus Clubs
- Glee ClubGlee clubA glee club is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs—glees—by trios or quartets. In the late 19th Century it was very popular in most schools and was made a tradition...
- Jr. Student Council
- 5th and 6th grade Spring Break Trip
Upper Elementary (4th–6th)
- Basketball (Boys & Girls)
- Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
- Soccer (Boys & Girls)
- Track and Field (Boys & Girls)
- Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
- Baseball (Boys Only)
Middle School (7th-8th)
- Basketball (Boys & Girls)
- Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
- Soccer (Boys & Girls)
- Track & Field (Boys & Girls)
- Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
High School (9th–12th)
- Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
- Soccer (Boys & Girls)
- Basketball (Boys & Girls)
- Indoor Soccer (Boys & Girls)
- Track & Field (Boys & Girls)
- Baseball (Boys Only)
- Football (Boys Only)
- Softball (Girls Only)
Upper Elementary School (3rd - 6th)
The Upper Elementary school is composed of students in grades 3rd- 6th and ranging in ages from 8 –12 years old.The ESL Program has been designed for those students who lack proficiency in the English language due to different factors. The main goals of this special group are to develop the student’s communicative and linguistic competencies in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Special attention will be focused on developing vocabulary through form and pronunciation, to promote a basic understanding of the English language. The teacher will use a variety of methods, techniques, and materials to achieve the objectives.
Middle School (7th - 8th)
With the integration of seventh and eighth grades to Commonwealth Campus in academic year 2002-2003, the middle school curriculum along with the learning experiences has proven to be an asset towards the academic, social, and emotional development of these students.High School (9th - 12h)
The school has a college placement program that places alumni in universities in Puerto Rico, United States, and abroad.In addition, CHS is a member of the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Association (P.R.H.S.A.A.) and participates in volleyball, soccer, indoor soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, and cross-country.