Our Beliefs and Approach

We Nurture the Whole Student

Responsive Classroom & Developmental Designs principles are fundamental and centralizing forces within the school community. Our students and staff are immersed in its tenets during all aspects of the school day. At the core of Responsive Classroom and Developmental Designs are the beliefs that children learn at their best when attention is paid to building their social and emotional competencies.

Daily “Morning Meeting” in our Elementary Schools and “Advisory” in our Middle Schools: community-building tools that are aligned with the Responsive Classroom and Development Design Principles. These practices result in a safe and inclusive environment with engaged students where teaching and learning are strengthened.

Cultivate a “Green” School Culture and Mindset

Promoting an eco-friendly culture and a strong understanding of sustainability are key elements of our school’s mission. Above all, being “green” is a mindset—an adoption of sustainable practices in everyday life where community members are conscious of their consumption and waste. It involves an awareness of the origins of goods and products, considering their impact on our community, and making responsible, sustainable choices.

Intentionally Build a Diverse and Inclusive Community

Our school serves all types of learners. Our comprehensive special education program includes at least one Integrated Co-Teaching Classroom (ICT) on each Elementary grade, 12:1:1 Bridge Classes, and one or two ICT classes per subject area (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) in the middle schools. Our robust special education staffing model which includes a Director of Support Services and Intervention in each of our buildings, learning specialists (certified special education teachers), on-site speech and language therapists, who are supported by counseling staff, including the Deans of Students in the elementary and middle schools.

Engage Our Students Through Experiential Project-based Learning: “Explore & Discover”

Multidisciplinary, hands-on projects that incorporate skills from all subjects, while meeting NYS Social Studies standards use technology, field trips, and project-based curricula to bring learning to life for our students.

Create a Connected Family Community

GUG warmly welcomes families into our schools and encourages active involvement in your child’s education. Whether it’s attending family conferences, volunteering in the classroom, chaperoning field trips, joining publishing parties and performances, cheering our middle school sports teams, or contributing to our engaged PTOs, there are many ways for families to be a part of the GUG community.