Our History

In 1986, two special education teachers, Albina Miller and Leslie Thorne, opened The Parkside School in a six-room rented space on West 100th Street with a single five-year-old student. Forty years later, Parkside is home to approximately 80 students and more than 50 dedicated educators and support professionals, and it's still guided by the same belief: every child, whatever their learning profile, deserves a rigorous, individualized, and joyful education.

Scroll through the milestones, people, and moments that shaped our first forty years.

Click any panel to enlarge it and read the details.

Timeline: 1986 to Present

1986–1991A Vision Takes Root

Parkside opened its doors to a single five-year-old student in a rented six-room space on West 100th Street. The innovative model resonated deeply with families, and enrollment climbed steadily from there.

1986: The Parkside School is incorporated under New York State Education Law and receives a Provisional Charter from the NYS Board of Regents.; The school opens in September in a six-room rented space on West 100th Street, with one student and two teachers.
1987: A second student enrolls in the spring, and twelve children attend Parkside’s first summer session.; In the fall, Parkside welcomes its first full class for the 1987–88 school year.
1988: Parkside receives 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service.; The preschool program is established.
1991: Enrollment grows to 48 students, and staff expands to 20 teachers and support professionals.

1992–1993A New Home

With enrollment growing, Parkside needed a permanent home. With the generous support of friends, families, and foundations — including the Isenberg family — the school purchased two adjacent turn-of-the-century townhouses on West 74th Street. After an eight-week renovation transformed a religious residence into a specialized school, Parkside welcomed 72 students through its new doors that September.

1992: Parkside is approved as a funded school by New York City and New York State.; In July, the school purchases two townhouses on West 74th Street.; Enrollment reaches 72 students, and staff grows to 28 teachers and support professionals.
1993: The first issue of the Parkside News is published (briefly called The Parksider).; The Mainstream Arts Program launches, with 19 second-grade students from PS 191 joining Parkside students each week for music and art.

1994–1999Building Foundations

As Parkside’s reputation grew, the school continued to invest in its future — expanding its space, embracing technology, and establishing the endowment that secures its foundation to this day.

1996: The basement and fifth floor are renovated to meet the school’s growing space needs.
1997: Parkside hires its first computer teacher, Maggie Flanagan, funded by a Federal Grant and the John A. Hartford Foundation.
1998: In response to the growing need for specialized elementary education in New York City, the preschool program is discontinued to make room for more school-aged children.
1999: The First Capital Campaign raises $500,000 from parents, alumni families, and friends, matched by a transformative $750,000 gift from Eugene and Ronnie Isenberg. Together, these gifts create Parkside’s endowment. The West 74th Street buildings bear the Isenbergs’ name to this day.; Parkside becomes an Associate Member of NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools).

2000–2009A Thriving Community

The new millennium brought artistic vitality, a renovated building, and formal recognition of Parkside’s standing as a school of exceptional quality.

2000: The Parkside Chorus is established, later renamed the Parkside Singers.
2002: Enrollment reaches 82 students, with a staff of 46 teachers and support professionals.
2003–2004: The Parkside Art Festival, coordinated by Art Teacher Lisa Brunner and Music & Drama Teacher Robert Kennedy, transforms multiple floors of the school into a gallery of student work.
2004: Parkside begins the NYSAIS Evaluation and Accreditation process.; Enrollment reaches 84 students, and staff grows to 48 teachers and support professionals.
2005: Parkside receives an Absolute Charter from the NYS Board of Regents and earns full NYSAIS Accreditation.
2006: The Second Capital Campaign concludes, funding major renovations to the library, entryway, art and occupational therapy rooms, yoga studio, and playground, along with gym air conditioning and facade repair.

2010–2019Decades of Excellence

The 2010s deepened Parkside’s programs, strengthened its physical home, and cemented its standing as a leader in special education.

2010: NYSAIS Accreditation is renewed following the five-year review.; Ceramics joins the arts curriculum, made possible by the gift of a kiln.
2011: Parkside celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
2015: Parkside earns NYSAIS Accreditation following its Decennial Evaluation.
2017: Parkside celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
2018: The Woodin Math Program is introduced.
2019: A new third-floor rooftop play space is completed.

2020–2022Resilience

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Parkside quickly adapted, maintaining the individualized, therapeutic support its students depend on every day, and returned to in-person learning as soon as it safely could.

Spring 2020: Parkside transitions to remote learning in response to COVID-19.; NYSAIS Accreditation is renewed following the five-year review.
Fall 2020–Spring 2021: Parkside reopens its doors with a full, five-day-a-week in-person program, while providing synchronous remote learning for families who choose to stay home.
Summer 2021: Fully in-person summer programming resumes.
2021–2022: Parkside completes its first fully in-person academic year since the pandemic began.

2022–2025New Horizons

Emerging from the pandemic with renewed energy, Parkside embraced a period of program growth and community joy, reflecting its lasting commitment to meeting the whole child — academically, therapeutically, and joyfully.

Summer 2023: A Summer STEM curriculum launches, offering students hands-on exploration during the summer program.
Fall 2023: The After-School program expands, with offerings including Tae Kwon Do, Dance Club, Art Club, and Homework Helpers.
2024–2025: Parkside hosts its first-ever Field Day.; Therapy dog Ruby joins the Parkside community.; Dance is added to the Arts and Movement Curriculum.

2025–2026Forty Years Strong

In its 40th year, Parkside celebrated four decades of fulfilling its founders’ vision: that every child, whatever their learning profile, deserves a rigorous, individualized, and joyful education.

Fall 2025: Parkside hosts its first-ever All-Alumni Reunion, drawing more than 160 alumni and parents from across all four decades.
Spring 2026: Parkside completes its third NYSAIS Decennial Review and receives renewed accreditation, with the visiting committee affirming that Parkside is a school of exceptional quality, guided by exceptional people, in service of exceptional children.
April 22, 2026: The Parkside School’s 40th Anniversary Gala raises important funds for the endowed Fund for Teacher Excellence.

Here’s to the next forty years.