Student Life

All components of the GNCS program weave together to create a "culture of achievement." Great expectations are held for all students in area of academics and citizenship. GNCS students are expected to be great achievers and great community members. At GNCS, we believe we must all work together to achieve our dreams!

We expect GNCS graduates to exemplify the GNCS 5 Pillars which are:

1. What is your dream? - Students will demonstrate the motivation to learn by actively participating in their learning process of exploring, interacting, and making sense of their environment.

2. Think deeply - Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills and habits of mind to develop purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed thinking in the development of being a life-long learner.

3. Be kind - Students will demonstrate life skills to promote self-responsibility, positive relationships, and respect for others in order to develop into a responsible citizen and human being.

4. Be organized - Students will demonstrate study skills and organization to achieve high performance in completing class objectives and expectations.

5. Be skillful (Mastery of skills) - Students will demonstrate a solid foundation of basic skill mastery.

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Learning & Teaching at GNCS

The GNCS core curriculum is designed to meet and exceed New Jersey State Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS). The rigorous curriculum includes the following:

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Assessment at GNCS

GNCS is committed to data driven instruction. GNCS continually analyzes data about student achievement from several sources. GNCS administers the TerraNova standardized assessment and NJ 8th grade GEPA annually. These two assessments provide important data about how GNCS students compare with other students in similar communities and schools. Since these assessments are given only once a year however, GNCS relays heavily on "low-stakes" benchmark assessments to get more "real-time" data about student achievement against specific standards. GNCS administer 4 benchmark assessments in literacy and math during each school year. Teachers analyze the data from these assessments to track student progress against specific standards. As a result, teachers are able to make necessary adjustments during the school year to meet the needs of all students. Along with these more traditional assessments, GNCS students are required to perform end-of-year exhibitions in each of their four core classes. The exhibition requires students to exhibit understanding about a concept from each subject area they learned during the school year; thereby deepening their understanding of the concept. The following comprise the GNCS assessment program.

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Results

GNCS is committed to demonstrated results and accountability. GNCS most recent results are include.

Staff

GNCS actively recruits highly qualified, talented, and passionate teachers and administrators.

Teachers at GNCS are active members of the school operation and culture; they are decision makers and leaders. GNCS teachers are not simply required to engage in collegial work, but are provided with the time and training necessary to work as teams to best serve every student.

Social Work Program

In order to prepare students to achieve their dreams, GNCS recognizes the importance of teaching students good mental health. Today, students are overloaded with information and exposed to many issues at a younger age than every before. The GNCS Social Work Program teaches students to develop healthy attitudes and gain a better understanding and acceptance of themselves, their emotions, behaviors and learning styles in relationship to this complex world. Children who understand their emotions are better able to control their behavior. Children who understand themselves and their unique qualities develop and mature personally, socially and emotionally. They are also capable of developing good coping mechanisms and responsible problem solving skills.

The GNCS Social Work Program aims to do the following:

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Special Needs & I.E.P.

GNCS is an inclusion model school. This model involves the education of special needs students in regular classroom settings while providing additional support for the teacher and student. One component of this support is the operation of a skill center. The skill center is a classroom where students receive increased levels of individualized instruction in specific areas. Additional support is also provided to the teacher by school administrators and other staff members (pull-out teachers). The goal of the program is to allow the student(s) to work toward as many of the regular classroom goals as possible, while adhering to the individualized educational plan outlined in the special education placement process or any other individual needs.

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Extended Day & Extended Year

GNCS operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00pm. Students are dismissed at 2:30 each Wednesday for staff members to attend weekly collaborative meetings. GNA operates through the month of July. The extended-day and extended-year programs are integral components of students learning experience. The summer session combines time for academics and service learning. The summer session is mandatory for all GNCS students.

Technology at GNCS GNCS makes technology available to all students. An integral part of this technology is our wireless Internet access. All students have access to two mobile lab units. Teachers in all content areas integrate technology into daily instruction and assessment.   Student Code of Conduct The GNCS Student Code of Conduct policy ensures all students are able to use each day to prepare for GREAT tomorrows! These procedures are devoted to foster fairness, equity, safety and respect for all students. We want students to initiate problem clarification and resolution, as well as accept responsibility for their own behavior. Our Student Code of Conduct is designed to maximize instructional time in which students are actively engaged in the learning community and working toward their dreams!

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