Parish Episcopal School and Level Up Village Form First-of-Its-Kind Educational Partnership

DALLAS, Dec. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parish Episcopal School and Level Up Village announced today the formation of a multifaceted educational partnership. Parish Episcopal is the first school in the U.S. to formally partner with global educator Level Up Village, offering STEM-based courses which link U.S. elementary students with students in developing countries.

American students are falling behind their global peers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, America ranks 26th in math and 19th in science compared to other countries. The Parish Episcopal School (Parish) and Level Up Village (LUV) partnership will encourage U.S. student participation in STEM while sharing those same learning opportunities with students across the globe who wouldn't otherwise have access to them.

Level Up Village is among the first to connect elementary-aged students worldwide through their unique "Take a Class – Give a Class – Collaborate" model. When students in the U.S. take a LUV class, that same class is given to students in countries such as Peru, India, Rwanda and China. This model also allows students worldwide to connect and collaborate with one another during the class. LUV's STEM-based classes inspire innovation, curiosity, global citizenship, collaboration and love of learning. Courses cover topics such biology, chemistry, math, animation and global philanthropy.

Parish is the first and currently the only school in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area with a LUV program. "We are extremely proud to be Level Up Village's Founding Partner School in Dallas, and we are fortunate to have them as part of ParishEXTEND's rich array of offerings," said Dave Monaco, Allen Meyer Family Head of School, Parish. "Our first class is 'Doctors in Training,' which has 3rd through 5th graders learning about anatomical systems from a doctor instructor. Each lesson features hands-on investigation, such as the dissection of a sheep heart. Parish students have peer learning partners in Haiti, who are video-cast in for at least part of each class."

The partnership between Parish and LUV is a natural given their common values: a STEM orientation, a global perspective, a strong commitment to community service, a belief that kids learn best by doing and a desire to create a paradigm shift in how children are educated.

Parish will operate as a year-round LUV program site, a model that LUV hopes to extend throughout the U.S. so that it can expand its reach throughout the world. Parish will also serve as the beta testing site for LUV's new courses. Parish students will participate in course evaluation and develop entrepreneurial skills at a young age, dovetailing with the School's ParishProfile and ParishLeads programs. LUV will use this feedback to design courses to be used in schools worldwide. Curriculum tested at Parish will carry a seal indicating the class was tested and verified at Parish.

Parish will also act as a LUV Model Site for the Dallas area, inviting area schools to observe classes in action. LUV will have access to Parish faculty and their expertise for assistance in developing new curriculum. In addition, LUV will provide Parish's Academy of Global Studies' students with the opportunity to connect with global nonprofit leaders working at the grassroots level.

"As someone with deep roots in both education and Texas, I am excited to pilot our classes at a Texas school, especially one as innovative and tech-forward as Parish," said Level Up Village Co-Founder Amy Foote McCooe. Her LUV co-founder Neesha Rahim concurred: "We are looking forward to working with Parish teachers and students who place such an emphasis on creativity and collaboration. We are also grateful to Parish for opening their doors to Dallas-area schools to see firsthand the impact of our programs."

Parish's relationship with LUV is yet another in a growing list of partnerships which includes the Bush Presidential Library and Dallas World Affairs Council. "Like our other notable partnerships, this one with Level Up aligns perfectly with our signature programs. I am thrilled at how well Level Up's global focus and quality, STEM-based programming enhances ParishSTEM, ParishLeads, ParishProfile and our Academy of Global Studies," said Monaco.

About Parish Episcopal School:
Parish Episcopal School is a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade co- ed, college-preparatory, independent school in Dallas, Texas. Parish offers vigorous yet balanced academics in a joyful, authentic community that allows students to discover their passions. Integrating leadership and service throughout the total school experience, Parish develops life-ready young people of impact.

About Level Up Village:
Level Up Village is an educational services company striving to inspire young global citizenship through shared STEM learning. When a child takes one of Level Up's innovative, cutting-edge classes, that class is given to students at a partner school in the developing world.

Media Contacts:
Heather Mills, Director of Communication, Parish Episcopal School at [email protected] or 972-852-8783
Neesha N. Rahim, Co-Founder, Level Up Village at [email protected] or 646-242-6529

SOURCE Parish Episcopal School