gordon school

The Gordon School is a racially diverse nursery through eighth grade coeducational independent

school in East Providence, Rhode Island. Child by child, the Gordon School community cultivates

successful students by inspiring joyful learning, encouraging intellectual leadership, fostering an

empathic spirit, and stimulating a drive for positive societal impact.

c h i l d b y c h i l d

VERSE CHILD CENTERED

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ACADEMIC RACIALLY DI

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The Gordon School was founded in 1910 by pediatrician Dr. Helen West Cooke for her son

Gordon. Gordon was the first coeducational private school in Rhode Island. The academic

program was filled with discovery and challenge, supported collaboration and hands-on learning,

and encouraged individual expression and imagination. Windows were left open for students to

have fresh air year round and foster good health and clear thinking. Today, students benefit from

an outstanding curriculum that educates both the heart and mind with equal care, as the plaque

outside the front door of the school states.

o v e r o n e h u n d r e d y e a r s o f c h i l d - c e n t e r e d l e a r n i n g

a place of discovery

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A Gordon education requires children to use their natural curiosity and imagination while

supporting their optimistic thinking, their eagerness to learn, and their willingness to be

challenged in all areas of study.

The academic curriculum is rooted in multicultural practice that allows students to master critical

thinking skills, problem-solving strategies, and intellectual leadership. Students learn to apply skills

to everyday life, to understand the societal and community impact of their choices, and to function

within and across similar and different ethnic and economic groups. The inclusive community

supports anti-bias education as students are asked to solve math and science problems, write from

a unique perspective, conduct research on issues with varying opinions, analyze data, debate an issue,

or report a finding. Across all grade levels students demonstrate their mastery of math, science,

English, history, and modern language skills, through lessons that instill thinking strategies and

social competencies ensuring high academic performance and long term success in life.

d e v e l o p i n g 2 1 s t c e n t u r y l e a r n e r s

innovation & challenge

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Academic classes are small, allowing for teachers to carefully guide, question, challenge, and

push a student to think beyond their own experiences and begin to construct new knowledge.

Organizational skills, study habits, prioritizing work, and understanding how to plan ahead are

key elements for students to master. At all grade levels students are exposed to a variety of

subjects and role models with differing life experiences that require them to think beyond their

natural inclination and utilize newly acquired problem-solving skills.

Teachers require their students to think for themselves and motivate them to delve deeply into

subject matters. As a result, Gordon develops passionate, intelligent, and inquisitive learners who

appreciate the different viewpoints that arise in all classrooms and are well prepared to lead and

participate actively in all areas of study.

IntellIgent, Inquisitive Learnersd e v e l o p i n g a c a d e m i c s k i l l s

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A nursery through eighth grade education allows students to mature and develop their self-

confidence and sense of identity in a small community catered specifically to their needs.

The balance of a strong academic curriculum coupled with caring and respectful teachers results

in high levels of achievement. Teachers guide and coach students to produce their best quality

of work without the distraction of older students. Therefore, students take more risks, try

new activities, and often acquire new interests and skills. Gordon teachers are proud of their

young leaders and will ask them to present or display their final project or piece for others

to benefit from.

At each grade level students are instructed in math, science, writing, and reading. Classes in art,

music, physical education, library, and technology complete a student’s experience. Modern

language instruction begins at Young Kindergarten with formal Spanish instruction and at fifth

grade students can continue with Spanish or study French. For a complete description of

curriculum offerings please refer to the curriculum guide.

t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f n u r s e r y t h r o u g h e i g h t h g r a d e e d u c a t i o n

encouraging intellectual leadership

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All students use the more than 20,000 volumes in the Joukowsky Family Library. The two full

time librarians have developed age appropriate reading and language skill programs that directly

impact each student. Information literacy is a critical component as students develop research

skills and use online resources. The library includes a second floor specifically designed for Middle

School students, and features one of the most extensive collection of books for young adult readers

in the area.

Technology plays an essential role in academic work at all grade levels. Early Childhood students

explore topics of study using iPads, Lower School students work on programming and engineer-

ing, and Middle School students create powerful research projects that require extensive use

of online resources and visual media. Students use technology to construct knowledge, support

academic skills, communicate with others, create visual and multimedia reports, and reinforce

their connections with the world.

InformatIon LIteracy & Technology r e i n f o r c i n g c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h t h e w o r l d

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Students are encouraged to recognize and express their own creativity through the visual and

performing arts. Topics from classroom study are often integrated into art projects and music

performances as students put their own ideas into action. An annual visiting artist program

is a highlight each year, allowing students to work with and learn from an internationally

acclaimed artist.

All students experience the joy of self-expression as they gain musical literacy. As students

move through the three divisions at Gordon, they can be part of large and small choruses,

instrumental ensembles, a jazz band and a percussion group, as well as try out for a highly

sought-after spot in the Middle School a cappella group, the G-Notes. In addition, students

participate in theatre, musicals, and many small grade level performances as their creative

expression fuels their public speaking skills and their self-esteem.

c r e a t i v e e x p r e s s i o n

inspiring joyful learning

The school fundamentally values team and individual competitive play, sportsmanship, physical

exercise, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students explore and expand their athletic talents

throughout their time at Gordon. Each student graduates with skill based knowledge, a competitive

drive, a solid understanding of how to keep one’s body healthy, and is well prepared to bring out

their best in any athletic endeavor.

Weekly physical education classes and daily outdoor recess on two large playgrounds invite

students to maintain an active and physical lifestyle. Students develop motor skills that assist them

with higher level play and the discipline of playing a sport. Competitive team sports are offered

after school beginning at fifth grade and include; soccer, field hockey, cross country, basketball,

tennis, track and field, and lacrosse.

athletics and wellness

healthy & balanced

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It is essential for Gordon students who are 21st century learners to understand, embrace, and

sustain a diverse and inclusive community where all voices are heard and valued. Students are

required to be active listeners, planners, and collaborators as they learn to be leaders of the future.

At a young age students explore and use the twelve-acre suburban campus to its fullest. Students

can be found taking water samples in the pond to ensure a healthy and vibrant environment,

observe and collect information about the variety of trees on campus to create a guide for others

to follow, host student council food and clothing drives, release newly hatched polliwogs into

the pond, plant seeds in the community garden, work with East Providence seniors, serve as role

models for younger students through the buddies program, and manage the schoolwide recycling

program. Students capitalize on the campus resources and assist with the stewardship of the

facility, skills that will last a lifetime.

c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s

POSITIVE SOCIETAL IMPACT

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Individual secondary school placement counseling is provided to all eighth grade students and

their parents to guide them in selecting the right match at the high school level. Gordon students

are recruited and highly sought after by many high schools who look for confident, articulate,

well-rounded, and responsible citizens. Each fall a secondary school fair allows eighth grade

students and parents to gain valuable high school placement information, meet and talk with

Admission Directors, learn about the process of applying to schools, and begin to weigh all

options. The Head of School, along with the Middle School Division Director and Secondary

School Placement Counselor work closely with students and their parents to provide advice

and carefully navigate them through the entire process.

Gordon students matriculate to independent day and boarding schools, parochial schools, and

public schools throughout New England. On average, Gordon students have placed at one of their

top two choices for high school.

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CONFIDENT & COMPETENT GRADUATES

beyondFor many students, the school day continues until 5:30 p.m. and is filled with opportunities to

play on the playground, learn a new skill, practice a talent, or participate in sports with classmates

and friends. Age appropriate enrichment classes focused on a particular skill (math club, robotics,

theatre, soccer, cooking, musical instruments, rock climbing, dance, kayaking, martial arts, and

more) and two age appropriate care programs ensure students have a varied menu of engaging

activities to enjoy in the afternoon.

The Gator program, designed for students in nursery through fourth grade, features art projects,

non-competitive games, sports clinics, group play, and quiet activities to help the youngest

students transition after a busy day.

The Young Adult Program, for students in fifth through eighth grade, provides afterschool care

with just the right balance of supervision and independence. In a safe and supportive environment

students start their homework, participate in group games, work in the computer lab, study in

the library, or cheer on their peers at an athletic event.

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math club, robotics, athletics, theatre, soccer, cooking, musical instruments, rock climbing, dance, kayaking, martial arts, and more

3:15 pm

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gordon school 45 Maxfield Avenue East Providence rI 02914 www.gordonschool.org tel 401-434-3833