Mission, Philosophy, History
Mission Statement
Arendell Parrott Academy upholds a tradition of fostering each student's intellectual, creative, social, physical, and moral development in a positive and challenging educational community.
Philosophy
Arendell Parrott Academy is an independent, co-educational, nonsectarian, T-12 college preparatory day school providing an educational environment which nurtures the student – assisting each individual in reaching his or her full potential. Realizing the significant role of self-esteem, the Academy focuses primarily on the stimulation of maximum intellectual development in a positive learning environment. In acquiring a knowledge base, students are given the opportunity to apply critical and reflective thinking and to engage in learning activities which promote the development of their natural curiosity.
With well-qualified and compassionate faculty and staff working in partnership with parents, the students develop morally, emotionally, socially, and physically, enabling them to appreciate and accept the responsibilities of membership in the community and society. As preparation for accepting their individual responsibilities, students receive a liberal arts education with skills to become mature individuals who can make responsible decisions.
Arendell Parrott Academy believes the learning environment should offer the student an opportunity to excel in diverse ways; should allow the student to feel nurtured and supported; and should lead the student to uphold the values of honor, truth, and initiative. The Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
Sixty Years of Success
The sixty years of educational success that is the history of Arendell Parrott Academy was born when the vision of one man coalesced with the energy and generosity of many Kinston citizens. Marion A. Parrott, who had been a paratrooper and a P.O.W. during World War II, returned to his native Kinston and in the late 1940s began envisioning a quality private school in his hometown and the impact it could have in eastern North Carolina. Even though Marion Parrott was juggling a successful career as an attorney, representing Lenoir County as a state representative, and nurturing a growing family, he still dreamed of a private school focused on education. In the mid 1950's, he began sharing his dream with friends and colleagues. When the original concept of a private boys’ boarding school seemed prohibitively expensive, a second plan for a non-sectarian, non-profit day school developed.
The death of Mr. and Mrs. Parrott’s son, Arendell Parrott, in 1961 gave their dream new purpose as they sought to establish a school which would honor his memory by offering high quality education in an atmosphere that nurtured each individual student. In September 1964, the Parrotts joined with 33 other founding members from the Kinston community to form a private, non-stock corporation named The Arendell Parrott Academy. Its original president was Mr. Marion A. Parrott, with directors Lillian W. Parrott, W. Jack Rider, Robert S. Langley, and J.C. Rasberry. Classes began in 1965 in temporary sites, including the Parrotts' home.
In over the last half-century, we have grown to a 650+ student body that includes students in grades TK through 12. Our campus now encompasses 80 acres. We are unique in that we draw students from 10 counties, a region 7,000 square miles in size. We remain steadfast in our purpose of providing the best possible instruction and learning environment for our students. Our students receive acceptances from colleges and universities across the country and around the world.
The death of Mr. and Mrs. Parrott’s son, Arendell Parrott, in 1961 gave their dream new purpose as they sought to establish a school which would honor his memory by offering high quality education in an atmosphere that nurtured each individual student. In September 1964, the Parrotts joined with 33 other founding members from the Kinston community to form a private, non-stock corporation named The Arendell Parrott Academy. Its original president was Mr. Marion A. Parrott, with directors Lillian W. Parrott, W. Jack Rider, Robert S. Langley, and J.C. Rasberry. Classes began in 1965 in temporary sites, including the Parrotts' home.
In over the last half-century, we have grown to a 650+ student body that includes students in grades TK through 12. Our campus now encompasses 80 acres. We are unique in that we draw students from 10 counties, a region 7,000 square miles in size. We remain steadfast in our purpose of providing the best possible instruction and learning environment for our students. Our students receive acceptances from colleges and universities across the country and around the world.