Academic Offerings

GCCS has a unique and engaging curriculum focused on Rochester’s rich history that inspires students to become active and committed citizens in their community. At GCCS the arts are an essential part of our curriculum where music, visual arts, and creative movement classes are fully integrated into classroom content where learning comes alive. At GCCS, teaching and learning includes a strong language arts and math program that are integrated into our Learning Expeditions where learning and curiosity thrive.

Learning Expeditions, done three times a year, include:

• In-depth studies of topics related to Rochester that encourage thinking locally and globally
• Instruction that uses our community as our classroom and includes in-depth Field Studies
• Creation of Final Products that are displayed and celebrated at Exhibition Nights

It is important to know that Field Studies are an important part of the GCCS academic program. Students experience science and social studies instead of simply reading it out of a textbook. For example, while learning about river formation and geology, 4th and 5th graders might go on several day field studies to locations such as the RMSC or High Falls to learn about erosion or how waterfalls form. They also experience overnight field studies such as finding the source of the Genesee River in Gold, PA and following its path ending at the mouth in Charlotte. Over the course of 3 days, each class travels north making stops along the way to engage in hands-on learning experiments and exploring geology first-hand.

In grades 4th, 5th and 6th, each classroom travels on a overnight to explore the topics of study in places such as New York City, and other cities across the country with staff and families as chaperones.

In 6th grade learning culminates in students capstone project as their final product to improve and give back to the GCCS school community. Each year, 6th graders celebrate in a special 6th Grade Passage Ceremony.