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About
Our Location Makes Us Special

Nestled at the corner of the James River and Forest Hill Park, GSES capitalizes on learning in the community.

Where Inspiration Meets Community

Our curriculum maximizes the use of our community and inspires our students to serve our neighbors and learn typical subjects in compelling and thought-provoking new ways.
Admissions
Call for a Tour
The best way to learn if GSES is the right place for your family is to visit. Please call the school at 804-231-1452 to arrange a personal tour.

Visits
Throughout the school year, GSES will provide opportunities for prospective families to visit for group tours and information sessions. Our open houses and visit days are the perfect opportunities for prospective students to get a taste of life in a GSES classroom.
Academics
Small Classes Allow for Big Experiences

Our small size provides big opportunities for learning. With a student to teacher ratio of 8:1, students receive the personalized attention to grow at their own pace and learn about subjects that matter to them in addition to the core academic subjects.

Innovative Learning
Our supportive environment allows students to take risks in their learning. Building a catapult that doesn't work teaches far more than a catapult that does. Feeling safe to try new things, while being carefully guided through challenging subjects, encourages our students to thrive.
Programs
We LOVE the Outdoors
Our outdoor education program takes advantage of our location near the James River and Forest Hill Park. Lessons often take students on adventures such as searching for local quarry stone in the neighborhood, measuring the velocity of student-built boats as they float down the James River, or collecting native pawpaws to use in cooking.
Community
Community Cleanup
Our families show up for GSES. Each August, our students and their families help clean the school grounds in preparation for the new school year. This is just one of the many ways we work together to create a united and close community.
Support
Supporting GSES
As GSES approaches its 50th year, families, alumni, and friends loyally provide support for the school's academic programs, as well as capital improvements to school facilities. Over the past few years, funds from generous donors have provided for library and Parish Hall renovations, as well as classroom enhancements and special programming.

In This Section

Distance Learning

Our campus was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, but our learning and community continued to thrive. We are currently open and our students are on campus for in-person learning. If in the event our campus has to close, our distance learning plan is in place.

In the spring of 2020 due to the governor's orders, campus was closed and learning moved online. While this was sudden and unexpected, our community joined together to finish our spring semester creatively and with a passion for learning.

Students heard stories from outdoor education teacher Elizabeth Coleman, and she taught them how to dye Easter eggs with all-natural materials.
Performing arts teacher Monica Moehring kept students entertained with sing-alongs and dramatic readings, often including special guests.
Eighth graders were delighted by a stealthy visit from Ms. Coleman and eighth-grade homeroom teacher Melissa Brook, who delivered special yard signs celebrating eighth-grade graduation.

If circumstances dictate distance learning in the future, staff members are well-equipped to continue teaching remotely and continually delivering course content.

COVID-19 News & Resources