Schools
GUG I Middle School
About GUG I Middle School
Growing Up Green Middle School I, located in Long Island City, is a 6-8 grade school dedicated to preparing our students for success in high-performing high schools.
As a grade 6-8 school, we build on the strong foundation established in grades K-5, guiding students through the transition to young adulthood and preparing them for the next phase of their educational journey. Students engage in inquiry-based and project-based learning through our rigorous curriculum.
We believe in nurturing the whole child through our restorative practices and a school structure that fosters both in and out-of-classroom experiences such as field trips and community-based projects.
School Leader Welcome
It is an honor to serve the students, families, and community here in Long Island City. Whether you are joining us for the first time or continuing your journey at GUGMS, we are thrilled to partner with you in supporting your middle schooler.
At Growing Up Green, our mission shapes everything we do daily. Throughout the year, we ground our work in several shared principles:
- Listening and Learning Together: Our school thrives on strong relationships. We are dedicated to listening to the voices, ideas, and experiences that make our LIC community buzz, thrive, and succeed. Your partnership and perspective are essential to our collective success.
- Cultivating Curious and Thoughtful Citizens: We aim to foster a genuine, lifelong love of learning. We guide our students to think critically, remain curious about the world, and care deeply for the people and environment around them.
- Driving Positive Change: We empower our scholars to develop both the compassionate heart and the innovative mindset needed to bring about the meaningful change our local and global communities need.
Realizing this vision requires a collective effort, and we invite every family to engage with us along the way. In turn, our promise to you remains constant throughout the year—we commit to showing up with hands, mind, and heart:
- Hands to do the steady, intentional work of supporting our school community each day.
- Mind to innovate, problem-solve, and ensure high standards for every student’s growth.
- Heart to lead with empathy, warmth, and unwavering dedication to our children’s well-being.
Thank you for your trust and collaboration. We look forward to working alongside you to make this a fulfilling and impactful year for our students.
Robyn Milliner
School Leader
GUG I MS by the Numbers
6-8
Grades Served
270+
Students
20-24
Students Per Class
90%
of students receive an offer to their top 3 High School choices
School Programs
Regents Classes Offered in 8th Grade
Our students have the opportunity to earn high school Regents credits in Algebra I and Living Environment, equipping them with a strong academic foundation for future success.
High School Readiness and Application Support
We have a dedicated High School counselor who begins working with students and their families in seventh grade. We support students in building a strong NYC public school application including screened high school programs, portfolios, and through taking specialized high school exams, catholic high school exams, or arts auditions.
Sustainability & Science
In addition to the NYS Science Learning Standards, GUG offers students the chance to engage in sustainability and science in our weekly science lab. Teachers use both class and lab time to focus on learning standards and green themes in context. Students gain a deeper understanding of scientific principles and how those translate into wider topics important to their communities.
Rigorous, Hands-on Academics
We are committed to empowering our students through challenging and exploratory learning opportunities that expose them to real-world content. To foster this, we provide ample opportunities to engage with academic material through field trips and multi-disciplinary projects.
Robust Academic Support for All Learners
Our comprehensive special education program includes one or two Integrated Co-Teaching Classroom (ICT) classes per subject area (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies). Our robust special education staffing model includes a Director of Support Services and Intervention in each of our buildings, learning specialists (certified special education teachers), and on-site speech and language therapists. They are supported by a knowledgeable team including counselors, Deans of Students and High School Placement Counselors.
After School Sports & Clubs
Home of the GUG Goats!
We offer a robust selection of after school programs staffed by our teachers, such as Sustainability, Creative Writing, Newspaper & Media club, Step Club, Musical Theatre Appreciation, and Documentary filmmaking.
Seasonal Sports Teams and Academic Clubs:
Volleyball, Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer
Lego Robotics Team
School Uniforms
At Growing Up Green, we give our students the opportunity for expression, but within school guidelines. With that in mind, please see below for proper uniform requirements and where to purchase them. Click below to purchase school uniforms.
School Handbook
Access all the essential school policies and guidelines in our comprehensive handbook. Click the button below to download your copy and stay informed.
