| The
Garden City School District is modeled after the Princeton Plan of Education.
Kindergartner's and first graders attend Locust, Homestead or Hemlock Schools. The
kindergartner's day is shortened except for one day a week when small groups stay later in
preparation for first grade. Each of these schools is a safe and secure atmosphere
for our smallest children. There is a Septa Program and special help for
those who need it. A gifted program is available for those seeking extra challenges.
An After School Program is offered for the convenience of working parents.
Children continue on to attend either Stewart or Stratford Schools for grades 2 through
5. They are both Schools of Excellence and both provide the same
curriculum. The younger children frequently visit these schools to ease their
transition into the larger buildings. Each school has a library, resources room,
music room and an auditorium. They both have an early morning gym program the students may
participate in.
All
children then enter the Garden City Middle School for grades 6 through 8. Grade 6
has its own wing of the school making for another easy adjustment. the range of
activities is much larger and includes competitive sports, music, theatre and various
special interest clubs.
Garden
City High Schools for grades 9 through 12 is primarily a college preparatory institution
with a student teacher ratio of 15 to 1. 96% of students go on to some form of
higher education. With a large percentage of its graduates entering Ivy League
institutions, the High School has been cited as a School of Excellence by the
United States Department of Education. The school requires 22 units for graduation
with four course designations: AP =Advanced Placement, H =Honors, R
=Regents. In addition to courses in English, Math, Science and Foreign Language, it
also offers a comprehensive program in Art, Business Education, Home Economics,
Instrumental and Vocal Music, Photography, Technology and Theatre Arts. Special
Education for students with disabilities is also provided and the graduation rate for
these students matches that of the main stream population. The High School also
cooperates with the local BOCES programs. Athletics are also an important part of
the educational experience at this school with approximately 57% of the students
participating in inter-scholastic sports. We have 29 varsity teams and a large
number of students also participate in intra-mural programs. Students can choose
from an extensive selection of extra-curricular activities and clubs. They also
provide an effective Guidance Department staffed by a director, five counselors, a
psychologist, a social worker and three secretaries. Counselors are assigned to
students on a four-year continuum that culminates in a post high school planning.
Over 1000 college applications are processed every year. |
