IDEA Parmer Park
Proudly serving the parents, families and students of Austin, Texas.
WHO WE ARE
IDEA Parmer Park sets high expectations for every student and goes the extra mile to make sure every student realizes their own potential. Personalized learning, critical thinking skills, mastery of core subjects is our recipe for success.
2019
Year Founded
468
Students Currently Enrolled
K-3 & 5-7
Grade Levels
OUR CAMPUS
IDEA Parmer Park is located at
1438 East Yager Lane
Austin, Texas 78753
(512) 822-4850
Campus Leaders
Katie Mackey
Founding Principal, IDEA Parmer Park Academy
Katie Mackey is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned her B.S. in Math and Reading Education. She moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2015 as a Teach for America corps member where she taught in special education. Ms. Mackey also worked as an instructional coach to prepare new teachers for their first teaching experiences.
At Achievement First in Hartford, Connecticut, Ms. Mackey served as the Dean of Special Education and STEM Dean. There she lead the math team to double-digit increases in state test scores. In 2018, Ms. Mackey came to Austin to join IDEA Public Schools as a Principal in Residence at Montopolis Academy where she would continue to grow as a leader and develop the skills necessary to launch a successful campus. Katie is thrilled to be the Founding Principal of Parmer Park Academy in 2019 and cannot wait to welcome her first class of panthers!
Katherine Christon
Founding Principal, IDEA Parmer Park College Prep
Katie Christon graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Psychology. While there, she had the opportunity to teach abroad in Brazil where she developed her passion for education.
Upon graduation, Ms. Christon joined Teach For America in the Rio Grande Valley where she taught at IDEA College Preparatory Alamo. Katie then came to IDEA Montopolis College Prep and served as a 7th grade English teacher, high school Math teacher, and an Assistant Principal of Instruction. In July 2017, Katie graduated with her master’s in Education Leadership from Columbia Teachers College. Most recently, Ms. Christon joined the founding team at IDEA Kyle as a Principal in Residence. Katie is excited to open IDEA Parmer Park and see her first class of Panthers enter college in 2026.
Will hardaway
Assistant Principal of Operations, IDEA Parmer Park
Will Hardaway graduated from Trinity University with a B.A. in English. After teaching for two years in Mississippi with Teach for America, he earned his Masters of Business Administration from Emory University. Mr. Hardaway began his career in school leadership with Achievement First in Brooklyn, NY where he served as Director of School Operations. Originally from Austin, Mr. Hardaway is excited to be a part of the founding Team and Family at Parmer Park!
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