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About
WHERE INSPIRATION MEETS COMMUNITY
Nestled at the corner of the James River and Forest Hill Park, GSES capitalizes on learning in the 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 learning opportunities. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1, students receive personalized attention to grow at their own pace and learn about subjects that matter to them in addition to the core academic subjects. 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 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 53rd 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

Programs

At Good Shepherd Episcopal School, we are committed to inspiring our students to live lives of purpose and unlock their potential to be great world citizens. While many opportunities exist in the classroom, our extracurricular programs allow for many other avenues for our students to grow outside of academic subjects.

Place-based education is the process of using the local community and environment as a starting point to teach concepts in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, technology, and other subjects across the curriculum. The Outdoor Education Program seeks to instill an understanding of and appreciation for the natural world through place-based education, outdoor exploration, and environmental stewardship. Additionally, co-curricular enrichment classes are an important hallmark of our school. These classes include computer science and technology, physical education, Spanish, and chapel.

We also offer an Extended Day Program in the mornings and afternoons. EDP creates a welcoming and safe environment for students to have a fun and enriching after-school experience. Our staff works closely with classroom teachers and administrators to ensure that Good Shepherd’s values are visible in the Extended Day Program.

Good Shepherd students may participate in team sports, which focus on character development, teamwork, commitment, hard work, and excellence. Participation in team sports teaches positive lessons of perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for one’s opponent, respect for the rules, and the ability to win and lose with grace. The most important measurements of the success of any team sport include students having a positive experience, developing skills and knowledge of the game, experiencing team unity, gaining a strong work ethic, and affirming a sense of pride.