1951~1970
The history behind CPS and the role played by a group of dedicated parents and their families are interesting and meritorious. Back in 1951, several families relocated in Puerto Rico to work with the Economic Development Administration (Fomento). The main obstacle these parents had was the lack of English language schools for their children to attend. Faced with this situation, they began looking for physical facilities and to study the requirements needed to create an English academic school that would fulfill their necessities, their urgency, and their demand for excellence in education.
They rented a “Community Center” located in the Roosevelt Urbanization in Hato Rey, where Commonwealth Middle and High School are located today. This building consisted of an auditorium, which was divided into small classrooms to accommodate students from Kindergarten through sixth grade. The school began with 92 students, eight teachers, and eight classrooms. Every year a new grade was added until 1961, when Commonwealth School graduated its first twelfth grade class of 10 students.
Parallel to the history of the foundation of Commonwealth High School in 1952 is the history of the San Juan School by the Sea. These two schools instituted a new educational system in the history of education in Puerto Rico.
Seven parents started the San Juan by the Sea Elementary School. It consisted of a Kindergarten and the first elementary grades situated in a rented apartment in the Condado. Later, the school moved to a property in Punta Las Marias, which at the time was owned by the U.S. Army and had been used during World War II. San Juan School was able to extend from Kindergarten through sixth grade.
In 1964, Commonwealth was full to capacity and grades Kindergarten through twelfth needed more classrooms to accommodate all the students. It was then when Parkville School in Guaynabo was constructed to serve as the elementary campus. It provided space for an additional two hundred students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Commonwealth Elementary School students were moved to Parkville School.
The three schools, Commonwealth, San Juan by the Sea and Parkville, constituted the Caribbean Consolidated School system, incorporated in 1964, with an academic program of instruction from Kindergarten through twelfth grade.
1971~1989
Between 1972-74, the 7th and 8th grades were moved from the Commonwealth Campus to Parkville.
In 1979 the Board of Directors voted to sell the San Juan School, to transfer its assets to a corporation formed by the parents of children attending that school, and to improve facilities at both Parkville and Commonwealth Campuses.
During the 1980’s, Parkville School witnessed increasing enrollment. The library was expanded and an appropriate setup for the Horizons Program was established. A demographic change also occurred with a reduction of stateside students and an increase in Hispanic and international students.
1990~2000
In 1990, the name of the school was changed to Caribbean Preparatory School (CPS), an umbrella term signifying one unified school on two campuses, Parkville and Commonwealth.
From 1990 to the present, CPS has witnessed tremendous changes and growth. New administrative positions were instituted including deans of students, psychologist, educational technology coordinator, school nurse, academic dean, director of development, and director of alumni. Virtually every facet of the school community was reviewed and evaluated, with changes made based on strategic plans and available funds. Beginning with 1997, a new accreditation protocol (Accreditation for Growth or simply AFG) was adopted through the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (Philadelphia, PA) and has formed the basis of continuous planning and growth, peer review, inclusion of stakeholders, and focus on student outcomes.
Physical facilities at both campuses have been renovated and redesigned. For example, from 1997-99 at Parkville, a new cafetorium, library, and classroom complex was constructed along with the development of an ADA compliant elevator and fine arts center.
2001~Present
At Commonwealth, following the Board of Directors 2001 decision to move grades 7 and 8 from Parkville back to Commonwealth, major renovations were planned and executed, including adding ten new classrooms in middle school to accommodate grades 7 and 8, new science and computer laboratories, and administrative offices. An endowment fund for scholarships was established in 2002, permitting entrance of a limited number of talented students who otherwise could not afford to attend CPS. During the summer of 2003, a new chemistry laboratory was relocated to the science wing on the first floor, high school classrooms were remodeled, including new windows, and the library was expanded to accommodate the additional middle school collection for grades 7 and 8.
Since 2003, additional improvements to both campuses have taken place including, at Commonwealth, a new biology laboratory, a new kitchen and cafeteria serving area, a fitness center, and reconstruction of a multipurpose theater. At Parkville, new doors and windows have been installed along with the construction of an access ramp to the second floor.
CPS has been granted a non-profit 501(C)3 status stateside which provides opportunities for receiving grants. In 2007, The Edward E. Ford Foundation has granted CPS a $50,000 matching grant for the development of professional development training on digital eduational programs that enhance student-faculty connections in grades 9-12. This is geared to attract and retain excellent teachers, a reputation that CPS has enjoyed throughout its stellar history.
At the onset of the 21st Century, CPS is prepared with a renewed, strong academic reputation and has achieved significant recognition and success in creative programming, college acceptances, sports, forensics, Model United Nations, and space exploration with a visit of a NASA astronaut. Students from CPS graduate with high levels of ability and confidence. The enrollment of CPS has increased dramatically from 550 in 1996 to 669 in 2010, attesting to the faith and trust that parents, students, and faculty have in our school.
In 2006, the Board of Directors decided to clarify our name with the community-at-large by simply reffering to CPS as Commonwealth-Parkville School, names which are well known in the community.
The future of CPS is exceptionally positive with many current and new plans to promote instructional growth through the use of sophisticated technology including SmartBoards and imagers. The delivery of curriculum, therefore, becomes influenced by technology thereby capturing student interest and promoting individual teacher-student connections. With this growth, however, the traditional hallmarks of individualized instruction, small class sizes, close student-teacher relationships (8:1 student-teacher ratio), and commitment to academic excellence, sports, fine arts, and leadership, opportunities will continue unabated. CPS’ motto “where learning stretches imagination” commits us to continuously search for increased opportunities in all areas, both academic and co-curricular.
Commonwealth-Parkville School experience has been most worthwhile and rewarding. We welcome you to become part of the making of our history.
Commonwealth-Parkville School admits students of any race, color, national and ethic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered
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