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GCE Chicago High School

PASSPORT

gcechicago.com 312.643.0991

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Welcome from founder/director

Dear Family and Friends:

Welcome to GCE, to our community of learners, and to the process of becoming global citizens. Our students are both inspiration for GCE instructors and collaborators in the curriculum and school

design process. Together, with the support of our families and partners, we pave the way toward an education for the 21st Century and beyond.

We hope that you’ll share in the journey.

Thank you,

Eric Davis

“We want to thank you and your staff for inviting and embracing [our son] into your community. We are pleased with his progress and look forward to his continued involvement at school. A special thanks to you for creating this truly visionary school.” —GCE Parent

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Gce HiGH ScHool in cHicaGo

GCE HS pioneers a student-centered model of education that unites the classroom with the real world—and technology with collaborative learning—for students who want to think for themselves and make meaningful change in the world.

“I wouldn’t want to be attending any other school in Chicago. GCE is like a second home.”

—GCE Student

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miSSion

Inspire students to find their purpose; prepare them to think for themselves and care about others; and connect students with the world through their academic subjects.

ViSion

Cultivate a generation of global citizens: graduates who demonstrate autonomy, accountability, purpose, gratitude, and through each of these, achievement.

“I believe GCE is at the leading edge of education. It offers [our child] a global, interactive learning experience. He is in an environment where he can learn how to learn and learn to enjoy the pursuit of knowledge.” —GCE Parent

“Boy what a difference GCE has made. I cannot express how grateful I am that he has found a place that he loves. Thank you for giving my boy a safe place where he can grow. My words are not enough… but I just wanted you to know what a difference you have made in our lives.” —GCE Parent

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Gce VoiceS bloG

GCE Portfolios—created and curated by students and staff members—share thoughts, questions, and possibilities. We hope you’ll join in the learning!

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a neW model for learninG

GCE curriculum matters to our students and to the world. Our dynamic design is reflected in the image below and is explained throughout this Passport.

Integrated Curriculum

MDGs & Common Core Alignment

Developing Global Citizens and Global Class

room

s

Brid

ging t

he Gap Between School and the Real World

Not-for Profit Partners

Field ExperiencesGuest Workshops

Case Studies

Corporate PartnersField ExperiencesGuest WorkshopsCase Studies

City2Classroom

Blended Learning

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curriculum Scope and Sequence

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matH & Science conVerSionS

GCE’s curriculum guides students through courses that are designed to create a generation of intel-lectually inspired, knowledge producing, socially responsible graduates who solve the world’s problems, big and small. Below is a conversion chart for GCE’s thematic STEM courses with mainstream math and science courses:

Course Theme STEM Foundations

Global Resources Math: Algebra & Statistics

Science: Hydrology, Genetics, & Physics (intro)

Global Health Math: Advanced Algebra & Geometry

Science: Biology & Biochemistry

Global Design Math: Trigonometry & Pre-Calc

Science: Physics: Electromagnetism, Statics & Dynamics

Global Enterprise Math: Statistics, Economics, & Logic

Science: Psychology: Industrial & Organizational

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curriculum aliGnment

GCE curriculum builds competencies aligned with the Common Core State Standards to ensure that our stu-dents are performing competitively on a national level. Moreover, we align each course with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These provide the global perspective and values that ground us in our mission to shape engaged global citizens.

“I chose GCE because I wanted to be in a place that embraces diversity and different perspectives. Diversity is seen in the student body, but also in the ideas that are growing at the school. Students are encouraged to have confidence in their opinions so that they can have the voices to speak those opinions. Picasso draws his bulls from different perspectives, and classes at GCE use different perspectives to stimulate discussion and deepen knowledge.” —GCEStudent

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The eight MDGs were identified by over 140 heads of state at the Millennium Summit at the UN Headquarters in 2000. These goals serve as the blueprint for an international action plan that the world is collectively striving to achieve. The overarching goals are:

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality to empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Improve mental health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

The MDGs represent global challenges that will exist throughout this century and can only be tackled with the creation of a community of global citizens.

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creditS

GCE runs on a trimester schedule, with an additional 4-week term dedicated to Civic Engagement. GCE credits are awarded in the following manner:

Integrated Core Courses: Students earn 2 credits per year (0.68 credits per trimester) in STEM and Humanities courses.

Civic Engagement: Students complete Service Learning hours and earn 0.5 credits per year.

Arts: Each term, students focus on a different artistic medium. The content is informed by the curriculum in their other subjects. Students earn 0.51 credits per year (0.17 credits per trimester).

Electives: Students choose elective courses from a range of globally relevant offerings. Students earn 0.5 credits per elective. These are also integrated courses.

Grading: Students earn a numerical grade for each course (1-100%) and a cumulative GPA. Students must earn 70% or greater in order to pass a course. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale.

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Graduation requirementS

In order to graduate, students must fulfill the following credit requirements:

Core Subject Credits

English 4

History/Social Science 4

Math 4

Science 3

Global Language 2

Visual/Performing Arts 2

Civic Engagement 2

Health/Wellness 2

Elective 1

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“It was good to hear about the progress my daughter has made. I cannot thank you enough for your support in every way…In the GCE environment, she was able to both catch up and improve her academic performance.”

—GCE Parent

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Student profile

GCE looks for the following applicants:

Young people between the ages of 12 and 20 who seek a learning experience that values their opinions, respects their instincts, and empowers them to make meaningful change in the world.

Dual Enrollment: Students are encouraged to take advantage of dual-enrollment opportunities available through local colleges and universities.

“I’m thankful to finally be in a place where I’m allowed to be independent and an individual, where I can have a voice…GCE is a place of possibilities. GCE is a place where I can succeed, where I can thrive, and I want to make sure that happens. I want to go beyond what you guys simply ask of me, what is simply required because I know I am capable of this…” —GCE Student

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city2claSSroom

GCE courses are relevant and empower students to connect their classroom learning with the real world through guest workshops, field experiences, and case studies. GCE’s City2Classroom partners understand that in today’s global and technologically-connected world, we need innovative and collaborative networks to educate a generation of global citizens who compete and succeed in the 21st century workforce.

GCE has more than 150 field experience partners. A few are listed below:

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“GCE just blew me away today. I am ‘gobsmacked’ at what I experienced and I am SO glad I came. You have created a phenomenal program. The teachers, the students, the mix. I really feel [our son] has a ‘family’, I will sleep better tonight. I will mention you in my Thanksgiving speech wherever I may be. But EVERY day I am thankful that you saw my son, accepted him and gave him a place to grow. Words are not enough….”

—GCE Parent

more city2claSSroom partnerS

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cuStomized education

WHY: The purpose of GCE’s Customized Education Program (CEP) is to offer flexible yet immersive and intensive educational programming for students who have the capacity and motivation to learn independently.

WHAT: The CEP curriculum is delivered through blended or distance learning. Students take one or two courses concurrently for four to six weeks. Students may complete some or all of their HS education through GCE’s CEP.

“I came to GCE to go to a school with classes that chal-lenge me to work harder, to help me find my strengths, and how to use these to my advantage. I got so much more than I expected from GCE. ” —GCE Student

“Your students were brilliant today, each in his/her own way. It is a tribute to the dedication of the GCE staff.”

—GCE Parent

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Gce foundation

What we do:

1. GCE Chicago

High School: This serves as our lab, where we design, test, and refine our Model for Learning.

2. Educator Institute: Train public and private school educators to deliver the GCE Model for Learning in a range of formats from electives to summer immersion programs to full school models.

3. Global Network: Build learning circles of students, educators, and partners—corporate, non-profit, and civic—who collaborate in person and online.

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explorationS

Reviewed GCE Website

Atte

nded

GCE Final PresentationsVi

site

d GCE as a Shadow Student

Completed Application

“Often, in schools where you’re one of forty per class, you become lost, and swept under the rug. Here at GCE my teachers work with me to ensure my success. I am given opportunities to study subjects that I’m interested in, and furthermore, find my own reasons for being interested in these subjects. When I walk into the building at GCE, I feel empowered and respected.” —GCE Student

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explorationSPa

rticip

ated in Family InterviewCo

mpl

et

ed Fin

ancial Assistance ProcessCo

mmen

ted on Student PortfoliosCe

lebr

ated at Graduation Cerem

ony

“Please convey to GCE’s community that I found them to be welcoming and transparent throughout my visit. GCE’s approach of implementing a curriculum embraced by such a diverse population of students from various ethnic groups and academic backgrounds is quite impressive. It was evident and exciting to see that GCE is creating a new pedagogy that can be implemented in such diverse conditions.” —GCE Partner

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StatiSticSStudents

Grades 9-12

2012-13 Enrollment 32 (app)

Student to Teacher Ratio 1:8

Class Size Range 8-14

College Acceptance Rate 100%

First Choice College Selection 100%

Graduation Rate 100%

Average ACT Score 29

Staff (photos below)

Born/lived overseas 70%

Earned advanced degrees 90%

Engage in 350+ hours of professional development per year

100%

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to learn more or to apply, contact uS today!

GCE Chicago High School 1535 N. Dayton, Chicago, IL 60642

Main Line: 312.643.0991 • Line 2: 312.643.0979 Fax: 312.643.0975

info@gcechicago.com • www.gcechicago.com

We look forward to building a relationship with you!

“I felt obliged to quickly say thanks again for all of the teachers. It’s really like a home for me and I don’t know where I’d be without the school.” —GCE Student

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