Parkside Celebrates 40 Years at Milestone Anniversary Gala
On Wednesday, April 22, 360 members of the Parkside community gathered at Capitale in New York City to celebrate one of the most significant milestones in the school's history: 40 years of The Parkside School.
It was an evening forty years in the making — and it lived up to every expectation. Please click here to view our PHOTO GALLERY and be sure to watch our 40TH ANNIVERSARY VIDEO.
Guests filled the historic ballroom for an evening of cocktails, dinner, alumni performances, and heartfelt tribute. Current parents, alumni, alumni parents, teachers, therapists, staff, board members, and dear friends came together across generations of the Parkside community — many seeing each other for the first time in years, some meeting for the first time, all united by a shared belief in what our school represents.
Alumni Nick Goutman ‘07 reflects on the impact Parkside has on his life
An Unforgettable Program
The program opened with a grand entrance from co-founders Albina Miller and Leslie Thorne, who descended from Capitale's mezzanine to a standing ovation. The evening was emceed with warmth and grace by Parkside parent and longtime community member Kelly Spitzley P'13, who guided guests through the program from start to finish. Following her welcome, former Board member and alumni parent Ray Spitzley P'13 offered a heartfelt toast in honor of Albina and Leslie, joined in the room by New York City Council Member Gale Brewer.
Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on Parkside's extraordinary journey — from a single rented classroom on West 100th Street to its permanent home on West 74th Street; from one student to eighty; from a provisional charter to three NYSAIS accreditations. NYS Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal presented a proclamation from the State of New York honoring The Parkside School's 40 years of service to children and families.
Tributes came from Parkside board president, Nischal Pai P’19, alumnus Nick Goutman '07, founding board member and longtime facilities manager Tom Casey, Stefan Freeman representing the Isenberg family, current parent Linwood Brown P'28, longtime parent and friend Paula Resnick P'12, and Parkside’s longest-tenured teacher, Jackie Ament. Each shared a different piece of Parkside's story — a school built, sustained, and shaped by the people who have loved it.
40th Anniversary Video
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the premiere of Parkside's official 40th Anniversary Video — a beautiful tribute weaving together alumni reflections, family voices, faculty insights, and footage of Parkside today. Our deepest gratitude goes to current Parkside parents Julia Cassidy P'30 and Vanita Shastry P'26, who directed, filmed, and edited the film as a gift to the school. The result is a stunning portrait of a community four decades in the making.
Albina and Leslie give closing remarks
Words from Our Founders
In her remarks, Albina reflected on what 40 years of building Parkside has meant to her:
"Founding a school is an act of faith. It demands courage, resilience, and the willingness to move forward even when the path is unclear. In those early days, there were no guarantees — only an idea, a need, and a deep belief that we could make a difference. We held tightly to a vision: that Parkside would be a place where every child feels seen, challenged, and inspired. And together, that's exactly what we built."
Leslie echoed that spirit, reminding the room that Parkside's true legacy lives in its people:
"Parkside has never been about a building or a program. It has always been about people. It is about the students who have taught us — every single day — what courage looks like. Children who arrived unsure of themselves and left knowing they were capable, intelligent, and worthy."
Alumni Performers
Alumni Performances Bring the House Down
A highlight of the evening was a remarkable showcase of 18 alumni performers, spanning the Classes of 2008 through 2024, directed by former Parkside Music and Drama Teachers Melissa Ferraro and MingYi Lin, with critical late-stage support from current music teacher Abby Huskisson, who stepped in at the eleventh hour to help bring the performances to life. Their performances were met with thunderous applause — a powerful reminder of the talent, joy, and confidence that Parkside helps cultivate in every student who walks through its doors.
A Community-Made Celebration
Even the smallest details of the evening reflected Parkside's spirit. The painted vases at the tables — each unique, each beautiful — were created by current Parkside students in Mr. James Lonsdale's art classes, with each class drawing inspiration from a different artist or technique. At the end of the evening, guests were invited to take their vases home as a small token from the students themselves — a meaningful reminder that this celebration belonged to the children of Parkside as much as to anyone in the room.
A Record-Breaking Night
Through ticket sales, sponsorships, the silent and live auctions, and the paddle raise, the evening grossed more than $530,000 in support of The Parkside School and the Fund for Teacher Excellence — an extraordinary milestone, and a powerful vote of confidence in Parkside's mission, faculty, and future.
To every member of the Parkside community — those who joined us at Capitale and those who celebrated with us in spirit — thank you. Your generosity, your love for this school, and your belief in what we do together are what make Parkside extraordinary.
Forty years ago, two visionary educators opened a door. Today, it stands wide open — and the next forty years are just beginning.
Thank you to Heidi Green Photography for capturing the evening so beautifully. Follow the link below for the full photo gallery, where you can download images you would like to keep.
Browse the Photo Gallery
Thank you to Heidi Green Photography for capturing the evening so beautifully. Follow the link below for the full photo gallery, where you can download images you would like to keep.
Support Our Next 40…
There's still time to make a difference. Strengthen the next 40 years of Parkside with a gift to our Annual Fund, supporting the teachers, students, and programs at the heart of our school.