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

Expand Miss Lee’s

• 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.
  
  
  
  

Construct New Building

• Entry Pavilion
• Gymnasium
• Library
• Cafeteria with indoor and outdoor dining areas

• Music, Art and Science classrooms/labs
• After School Care space
• “Green” energy & environmental design
• Elevated & street-level walkways across LeMaster
• Additional parking & improved carpool traffic flow

• GSL’s new “front door” for the public, offering an impressive and attractive  welcome to families and visitors
• Attractive reception/lobby area - large enough for special events and receptions

• Monumental stair leads to second-level gymnasium plus additional classrooms and After School Care space.

• 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.

• Doubles size of current library
• 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
• Will improve lunchtime scheduling options for students and faculty
• Will enable provision of fresh, healthy meal program

• New space for student and faculty dining in fresh-air environment
• Ideal for special events
• Can be combined with cafeteria for larger special events
• Potential for community use and rental revenue
  
  

• 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
• LeMaster Crossing -  Elevated walkway for safety and convenience plus weather-protected transit at street level
• 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 for use as a 3rd grade classroom

• 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