Upper School

Overnight grade-level Building Community Retreats (BCRs) are intentionally offered at the beginning of each school year to strengthen peer-to-peer relationships.

The Honor Code and GDS Community Cornerstones of Respect, Kindness, Integrity, and Responsibility guide our character and citizenship expectations and are embedded in our daily classes and culture. Each school year, the Upper School holds an Honor Code Signing and Community Cornerstone signing ceremony for all students.

The entire upper school student body gathers every Monday in Sloan Theatre for our weekly assembly, which features special programs, student-led activities, and cultural heritage month celebrations. 

A wide range of student clubs and activities allow students to pursue their passions and make friends with others who share their interests. Any student may join any club or academic team.

Our class sizes follow best practices for student-to-teacher ratios, ensuring a nurturing and responsive learning environment. Smaller class sizes allow our teachers to provide more individualized attention, build strong relationships with each child, and tailor instruction to support each learner’s growth and development. The average class size in the Upper School is 16 students. The maximum class size is 20 students for core classes, while physical education and performing arts classes have a maximum capacity of 26 students.