Academics

GEE Academies are committed to teaching and enforcing high-quality academic standards. It is the goal of GEE’s academic program to encourage each student to reach his/her maximum learning potential in all subject areas. GEE Academies will achieve this level of excellence by providing an instructional program that directly meets the needs of every student.

It is important for students to think critically and develop excellent communication skills. GEE Academies focuses on creating inquiry-based lessons and engaging in activities with a trans- disciplinary curriculum that involves an important element: guided inquiry. Through inquiry, the student learns to negotiate the world around them. Students’ imagination and creativity flourish as they question and think while learning how the world works. Through a fine-tuned balance of academics and creativity, students become equipped with 21st Century learning skills and prepared to conquer the challenges that lie ahead.

When it comes to our approach, we believe that:

• All students are entitled to reach their highest potential and must be encouraged to strive for excellence through a meaningful educational experience.
• Academic work must be challenging for all students, taking them above and beyond state standards and tapping into their diverse learning styles.
• GEE Academies provide an environment where students are comfortable with their unique heritage regardless of ethnicity, religion, race or background.
• Learning is enhanced by diversity and GEE Academies must promote multicultural awareness.
• To be effective, GEE Academies must provide a safe, orderly and positive learning environment.
• Parents are partners in the learning process and educational success is most achieved when parents seize opportunities for involvement and support.
• GEE Academies and community should be in a partnership that shares the responsibility of educating its citizens.
• Learning is a lifelong process.

Curriculum, instruction and assessment are continuously strengthened to enable students to be:

• intellectually, physically and emotionally healthy
• globally competitive
• engaged, responsible and informed citizens
• college and career ready
• able to demonstrate persistence and effort, a passion for lifelong learning

To accomplish these ends, the program is designed so learners seamlessly transition from one level to another and adapts to each child’s developmental phase and readiness.

Assessments are used to guide instruction for teachers, students and parents to plan learning throughout the school year. Each assessment provides teachers, students and parents with targets that prepare students for the challenges of college, work and life. The assessments are given at designated times throughout the school year and students receive regular feedback on academic progress. In addition, teachers meet biweekly in data teams to review students’ progress toward the mastery of standards and develop tiered instruction to meet the needs of both struggling students and students who need to be challenged. Finally, grade level lead teachers report progress of students on a monthly basis in building data teams to ensure adequate measures are taken to ensure students’ growth.