Parker was one of the first charter schools created under the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993.

[6][7] CES founder Ted Sizer was involved in its founding, and he served as co-principal with his wife Nancy in the 1998–1999 school year.

In addition to Parker, NTC places teachers at Innovation Academy Charter School in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Because Massachusetts charter schools cannot receive state or local funding for facilities acquirement or improvement, Parker has had to find other solutions to its housing issues.

From its opening in 1995 to 2000, Parker was located in a former Army spy-training building leased from MassDevelopment, a semi-private base redevelopment authority.

Several times a year, students and teachers showcase their music and poetry skills at Café Wednesday.