Established in 2006 with the merge of Bethesda Christian and Zoe Christian Schools, Parkway Christian is a private, Christian school serving approximately 500 preschools through twelfth-grade students from across the metro Detroit area. Located at Metropolitan Parkway and Schoenherr, Parkway boasts a convenient location for its growing population.
In recent months, Parkway, along with all other private and public schools in Michigan, faced the tremendous challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures. After only three days of professional development and preparation, Parkway’s staff transformed their instructional methods in order to provide continuity of education for their students. Adjusting as needed when the days became weeks and the weeks became months, Parkway’s staff worked out a system to address the needs of a wide variety of students.
Elementary students were supplied with packaged content in three-week batches along with supplemental online resources, instructional videos created by their teachers, and zoom meetings to ensure social and emotional well-being. Middle school and high school students were able to seamlessly transition into online learning as they were already using iPads, Google Classroom, and the Google Suite. Teachers created instructional videos and had multiple opportunities for students to interact and ask questions via zoom.
A team was created to ensure that students were not falling through the cracks and that support was being provided, as needed. Staff collaborated with one another to ensure that students were not overwhelmed in the online classroom. Ideas were shared and creative solutions were implemented. And through it all, the staff used their determination and creativity to find ways to ensure that Parkway’s vision to Challenge Minds, Capture Hearts, and Cultivate Gifts continued.
COVID-19 changed how education takes place. Parkway Christian is prepared to offer in-person learning during Michigan’s Safe Start phases 4-6. In addition, Parkway Christian is prepared to offer online learning during Michigan’s Safe Start phases 1-3 and/or to those families that prefer the online environment. We have been working on how to implement each aspect of Michigan’s Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap, and are confident in our ability to implement the plan.
In a world of uncertainty, Parkway is ready to support our community and provide Christ-centered education in whatever manner is required based on the phase, so that our students walk away from Parkway fully grounded in the truth and knowledge of the Lord and ready for whatever post-graduate endeavors they are pursuing.
For more information, visit parkwaychristian.org.