Genesee Community Charter Schools
Locations
Genesee Community Charter School, Grades K-6
657 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14607
585-697-1690
Genesee Community Charter School at the RMSC, Grades K-4
(expanding to K-6 by 2025)
1100 S. Goodman St
Strong Hall
Rochester, NY 14620
585-417-7020
General Information
Genesee Community Charter School (GCCS) at RMSC is among the highest-performing EL Education schools in the nation and is located on the campus of the Rochester Museum & Science Center.
GCCS at RMSC enrolls approximately 220 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. GCCS – Flour City Campus is in its second year and will enroll approximately 150 students in kindergarten through fourth grade for the 2024-25 school year adding one grade each year until it reaches sixth grade.
GCCS provides a rich educational experience that values intellectual rigor, respect for diversity, and community responsibility. The organization uses local history, the arts, and our student’s own cultural backgrounds to explore the Rochester community as our “home.” Learn more about our school communities by watching the video.
Services
Transportation
Students receive transportation within 15 miles through their district of residence. Students who reside within the Rochester City School District and live more than a mile and a half away from the school will receive school bus transportation to and from school.
Uniforms
GCCS does not require uniforms. Students should come to school dressed to safely engage in an interactive nature-based educational experience.
School Services
Breakfast and lunch are available for families who pay or qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Meals are currently provided by Julia K Caters and are usually served in classrooms as there is no traditional cafeteria.
Instructional Models
GCCS is an EL Education School with a focus on project-based learning. English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, the Arts, and Math are integrated into 12-week units of study called “Learning Expeditions.” Character development is equally important to academic instruction and empowers students to be leaders of their own learning while discovering their place in our diverse community.
Academic Offerings
The curriculum focuses on Rochester’s rich history and inspires students to become active and committed citizens in their community. GCCS has a strong arts-integrated program providing all students with music, visual art, and creative movement classes that focus on classroom content and concepts.
Field studies are an important part of the academic program. Students experience science and social studies instead of just 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.
School Hours
Student hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. and Wednesday from 7:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Before & After School Program
GCCS does not offer a daily before-school program. The schools partner with organizations such as Neighborhood Nature, Soapbox Derby, and Rochester Chess Club to provide after-school programming on Wednesdays from 1 – 3 pm.
Student Support
- All classrooms have 2 full-time teachers and 1 full-time teaching assistant
- Social Worker and Student Culture Coordinators provide Social Emotional Learning Support
- Reading and Math Intervention Specialists
- English as a New Language Services
- Special Education Services (through district of residence)
Clubs and Activities
In addition to after school clubs on Wednesdays, the Family Association supports many social events throughout the school year including annual dance parties, picnics, ice skating, and a school-wide celebration at SeaBreeze. Each class has their own private facebook page as a way to set up group playdates.
Community Partnership Programs
- Rochester Museum and Science Center
- EL Education
- St. John Fisher College
- EarthWorks
- URMC
Family Engagement
Families are encouraged to actively participate in the school community via a number of opportunities:
- Classroom Helpers
- Classroom Volunteers
- Field Study Chaperones (Day or Overnight)
- Committee Members (Community Engagement Committee; Diversity and Racial Equity Committee; Safety Committee)
- Board of Trustees Family Representatives
- Family Association
School Performance
