Lower School Philosophy (Pre-K-4th grade)
Discovery and challenge are the hallmarks of the Pre-School and Lower School program at Gaston Day. The students and teachers work together to discover new concepts, master skills, learn important facts, and weave them all together into an exciting "tapestry of knowledge." The children are encouraged to become effective communicators and critical thinkers. Every task is designed to help the children take intellectual risks and become confident, knowledgeable, reflective, and open-minded. Our language arts and mathematics programs provide the basic structure for the academic day. Blocks of uninterrupted time are scheduled for instruction in these areas. This time is used for a myriad of activities allowing for individual, small group, or whole class instruction. Because children love to explore and embrace the world using all their senses, instruction extends beyond the classroom walls. Frequent field trips, special guest speakers, and virtual tours give students firsthand experiences that bring classroom lessons to life. Our multisensory approach to education extends to the world of fine arts, where lessons in music, art and drama are coordinated with units of study in the classroom. Through a deliberate program of character education we encourage our students to become caring and empathetic toward their peers, the community in which they live, and their global neighbors.
Middle School Philosophy (5th-8th grade)
Middle school is a time of growth, change, and discovery. Our goal is to foster the development of healthy, happy, responsible, and productive adolescents. Students in grades 5 and 6 have the opportunity to change classes and choose electives while students in grades 7 and 8 continue to see their options grow. They have a new freedom and independence that is accompanied by lots of support and guidance from teachers. Organizational, communication, and social skills are honed through classroom and homework assignments, grade level projects, and social and athletic opportunities. Academic abilities and interests are challenged through rigorous course work. During these years, our children become adolescents. They have the opportunity to take risks, discover talents, and stretch themselves in the comfort of a wholesome, nurturing environment.
Upper School Philosophy (9th-12th grade)
Upper school is a time of focus, self-exploration, and achievement. Our goal is to challenge students to discover who they are and who they want to be – and then to partner with them and develop a plan that enables them to get there. Strong faculty advisors, honors, AP, elective courses, independent studies, and a plethora of opportunities in athletics, clubs, leadership, and the arts provide a framework for student success. Individualized college placement counseling complements the process, helping students to select and prepare for institutions of higher learning that fit their individual interests, abilities, and goals.
The Learning Academy at Gaston Day School The focus of The Learning Academy is to provide bright students with language based learning differences the educational opportunity to overcome their differences and to achieve their maximum potential in school and life.
- Coordinate Program is designed as a way for students at Gaston Day School with diagnosed learning disabilities to receive instruction in Language Arts and Math in small group setting, remediating and strengthening skills for a transition back to the mainstream of Gaston Day School. Academy teachers work closely with the classroom teacher, family, and student to provide the support needed.
- Early Reading Intervention Program provides an individualized, multidisciplinary, diagnostic, prescriptive program designed to meet the specific needs of each child with a diagnosis of a learning disability or an attention disorder.
- Early Math Intervention
- Academic Coaching is designed to meet the needs of students who have difficulty keeping track of assignments and organizing school materials. It can also provide short-term tutorials to reinforce concepts presented in the classroom. The Academic Coach serves as an advocate and lends help with studying, reviewing, note-taking, test preparation, and other academic needs.
- Fine Motor Development is designed to address significant fine motor delays in our younger students. Working in a small group these children will develop the underlying gross and fine motor skills needed for handwriting.
- Occupational and Speech Therapy