The Benefits of an Expanded and More Dynamic GSL School
The campaign will accomplish so much to strengthen the GSL experience.
- Campus improvements will reinforce GSL’s competitive edge as the school of choice for those seeking a superior educational experience, including the families of Midtown’s adjacent bio-tech and medical communities.
- An increased school enrollment on all grade levels will allow for the development of expanded academic and co-curricular programming, which, in turn, will help attract and retain students.
- An additional gymnasium will accommodate more PE and athletic opportunities.
- A new library will support GSL’s investment in new technologies and the cultivation of 21st century skills.
- Improved art, science and music facilities will generate a progressive and creative synergy of ideas between faculty and students.
- A new, larger and full-service cafeteria will support more flexible lunch schedules and healthier food service.
- A dedicated space for After School Care programs will better accommodate the needs of working parents.
Improvements to GSL School:
- Expand Miss Lee’s
- Construct new building
- Renovate existing spaces
- Attract and retain new families
- Grow enrollment from 500 to 630
- Expand academic and extra-curricular programs
- Strengthen image and competitive position as academically superior
- Increase endowment for financial aid, technology, faculty education, and plant replacement
- Add two new classrooms in PK and JK
- Redesign driveway separating Miss Lee’s from new building
- Accommodate new students to create a “moving bubble” of 15 additional students per grade level.
- Increase enrollment one grade at a time from current 500 to 630 students, while maintaining optimal student-teacher ratios: 4 sections of 15: PK-3, 3 sections of 20: 4-8
- Expansion will enable GSL to admit more students, helping to meet high demand. (There is an average "wait list" of 60 pre- school students each year.)
- Expanded enrollment will broaden and enhance academic and extra-curricular programs for all grade levels.
- Gymnasium
- Library
- Cafeteria
- Music, Art and Science classrooms/labs
- After School Care space
- “Green” energy & environmental design
- Additional parking & improved carpool traffic flow
Lemaster Elevation - west side
Peabody Elevation - south side
Linden Avenue - north side
- Two practice courts with bleachers on one side
- Additional space for expanded sports programs and other athletic and recreational activities
- New locker rooms and other support spaces
- Public space that is attractive to visitors
- More physical education offerings help support a stronger sports program, attracting and retaining students.
- Accommodates all class levels in warm and technologically-equipped environment
- Provides ample space for individual and collective study, research and testing
- Expands research and resource capabilities
- Better accommodates library reading programs plus individual study and study groups
- Computer labs introduce 21st century students to information for academic competitive edge
- Includes additional space for Middle School students in After School Program
- Full-service kitchen (replacing "warming kitchen")
- Three times larger than current cafeteria and kitchen
- Porch available for outdoor dining
- Will improve lunchtime scheduling options for students and faculty
- Will enable provision of fresh, healthy meal program
Additional Features/New Building
- New music, art and science classrooms/labs
- Classroom spaces 25-50% larger and configured to reinforce the curriculum more effectively
- Improved science program will be attractive to Midtown bio-tech and medical communities
- Larger space for After School Care program. Enhanced After School Care program can accommodate more students, provide larger variety of programming options, and help more families
- Additional parking along a widened LeMaster and alongside the reconfigured drive west of Miss Lee’s
Modifications to Existing Spaces
- Existing Lower School spaces to be reconfigured, providing additional classrooms to accommodate the “moving bubble.”
- Half of the current cafeteria space will be converted to a SK classroom.
- Current LS music room will be refitted as a 1st grade classroom.
- Current LS art room will be redesigned to serve as a 2nd grade classroom.
- Current LS lab/science room will be renovated and upgraded.
- Growth in student population will provide: additional revenues, greater options for academic, athletic and extra-curricular programming and activities
- Current library will be renovated for the growing drama program to include rehearsal space, set and costume production space, and storage