The Paideia School
Parent Involvement

The Importance of Parent Involvement

Paideia is more than a school for children; it is a community for families. Ever since its founding, by a small group of motivated parents in 1971, Paideia has encouraged and supported the active involvement of all parents in the life of the school.

Parent involvement is truly a hallmark of Paideia.

What motivates Paideia parents to volunteer?

We often hear that parents volunteer not just to help out at school, but also to nurture their relationships with their children, develop friendships with other families, and learn more about Paideia as a school and a community. New families find that getting involved helps smooth the transition to a new school. And all parents experience the power of being present on campus: children of every age (yes, even high schoolers!) enjoy knowing that their parents are involved with their school.

There are three main levels of volunteering at Paideia:

Tom and Inga Willis '94
Community Share

Pitching in to help maintain the health and success of the school.

Alumni gathering
Membership

Joining or chairing a committee to plan events and gatherings.

Alumni gathering
Leadership

Contributing your particular talents or responding to a call for service.

However much time you have to give—whether it’s once a week, once a month, or once a year—there is a way for you to contribute to Paideia and enrich our school community. 

Parent Spotlight: AshleyDaniel
Parent Spotlight: Ashley Daniel

As a school founded by a group of parents, Paideia has always recognized the essential role parents play in shaping our school’s community. Paideia continues to encourage and support the active involvement of all parents in the life of the school. When Ashley Daniel’s daughter Zoe ’25 started at Paideia in ninth grade, she looked to parent involvement as a way to build connections and community.

Read Her Interview about Parent Spotlight: Ashley Daniel

Ways to get involved

Parent volunteers make things happen at Paideia! In a typical year, there are more than 3,000 volunteer spots to be filled. Here is a snapshot of the various ways you can get involved:

Paul and Thrower
Volunteer in your child’s classroom

Volunteer in your child’s classroom or at their activities
 

From occasional visits to help out in your child’s class, at a sports event, or at a performance to regular support of teachers and students as a classroom or grade-level class parent, there are abundant opportunities to participate in your student’s daily life at school.

Learn More about Volunteer in your child’s classroom
Tom and Inga Willis '94
School-wide support

Provide school-wide support
 

Parents hand out lunches, contribute dishes for monthly faculty appreciation meals, help out with administrative tasks, sell spirit wear at events, and reshelve books in the elementary library. The options for pitching in around campus are endless!

Learn More about School-wide support

On any given day, you will find parents on Paideia’s campus helping out in a variety of ways. No volunteer task is too small. We can’t wait for you to join us!

Parenting

“My parenting has been enhanced by my role at Paideia. Let’s be honest: parenting is hard work. But being an involved parent in this wonderful, vibrant community has made it easier. And I’ve made memories that I’ll carry with me forever.”

See me at school

“I love that my kids always register joy when they see me at school, but never surprise; I belong there. It's so wonderful that Paideia is a school where my presence is welcomed, and that to my children, it's a given. Paideia is an extension of home.”

Community

“My child's education at Paideia has provided me as much a community as it has her. I'm a better parent for knowing her teachers and her friends, and this has only been possible by the gift of parent involvement.”

Our Team

Kellie Bruce

Kellie Bruce

Director of Parent Involvement
Caroline Cook

Caroline Cook

Assistant Director of Parent Involvement

Questions?

We are happy to answer any questions you have for us.

Please contact us at:

Email: cook.caroline@paideiaschool.org

Phone: 404-270-2338