The GW Community School embodies a vision shared by teachers, parents, and students: A school committed to developing and optimizing the giftedness and intelligence of each student; allowing each student to connect with their school, their world, and themselves.
QUICK LINKS: OUR SCHOOL / OUR FOUNDERS / OUR STUDENTS / CURRICULUM / graduation / GRADING / COLLEGE / ADMISSIONS / TUITION / accreditation / SOCIAL MEDIA
OUR SCHOOL
The GW Community School is a small, co-educational private, college preparatory high school in northern Virginia serving students grades eighth through twelve. GWCS is owned and operated by teachers who understand the learning process, students' needs, and who genuinely enjoy teaching adolescents.
Our Founders
Two talented and forward-looking teachers, Alexa C. Warden and Richard A. Goldie, actively sought a school where they could serve a specific population - bright, nontraditional learners, a population not well served in existing educational programs. A group of parents in northern Virginia recognized the need for a high school to serve their children whose abilities were not being developed. Circumstances and good fortune brought these two groups of people together to start a school to serve these students. Community High School Corporation was incorporated in June 1999 to open the GW Community School for the 1999-2000 school year.
By the way, the ‘GW’ stands for Goldie-Warden, not George Washington.
Our Students
Our students are motivated and capable individuals who want to succeed. They flourish in a positive school culture where they can learn beyond the facts.
Our students are involved and engaged in their community. They participate in school-sponsored activities, clubs, teams, and community service opportunities.
Our students enjoy a genuine learning community where students and staff are connected by mutual respect and caring in an intellectually challenging environment.
Current Enrollment: 40
Grades: 8 - 12
Curriculum
We offer an innovative college preparatory curriculum that emphasizes application of knowledge, not merely assimilation of information. Courses are student-centered and designed to equip students with the skills they will need to succeed in life and in institutes of higher learning. They participate in community service activities and benefit by having members of the community participate in school activities.
We offer a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum in a nurturing, collegial atmosphere.
We focus on thinking critically, drawing parallels, and questioning assumptions rather than merely memorizing facts.
Students develop skills that they will need to succeed at the university level and beyond. Giving presentations, writing proposals, and creating products makes learning valuable and meaningful.
Classes are small and student-centered. There is no "back of the room."
Master teachers lead core courses and an array of electives with an innovative spin, making
learning come to life.Students feel free to take risks in an environment where they can think out loud.
Students meet with faculty advisors for 20 minutes a day to plan for academic success and ensure community involvement.
Each GWCS student receives a Microsoft Office 365 account which includes the following online as well as desktop apps: Outlook, Calendar, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Sharepoint, Teams, Sway, Stream, Forms, and so many more, providing pertinent technology experience for students as they move beyond high school.
Honors Courses
Our current honors course offerings include, but are not limited to: Geometry, Physics, and all levels of English.
Advanced Placement Courses
Our current AP course offerings include: U.S. History, Government, Environmental Science, and Calculus AB. Advanced Placement courses at GWCS are not weighted differently than any other courses. Students may register for and take AP exams even if that course is not offered during the current school year.
Graduation Requirements
GWCS curriculum meets or exceeds Virginia's Standards of Learning.
Grading System
The school year consists of four quarters. Up-to-date grades and teachers' comments are communicated biweekly to parents and students via CoyoteWeb - our personalized education portal. Report cards are also available on CoyoteWeb at the end of each quarter and semester. Final grades are comprised of quarterly grades, midterms and finals. GWCS does not record class rank.
College Acceptances
One paramount concern of prospective students and their families is the question of preparation for college, both for admissions and subsequent achievement. Each year varies: approximately 85% - 90% of our students continue on to a four-year college and the remaining 10% - 15% start off at a two-year community college or technical school.
Accreditation
GWCS is accredited by Cognia (NCA CASI / NWAC / SACS CASI). Renewed 5/2021.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to read more about our school, view photos, and get a real feel for what it’s like to be a GWCS Coyote! The GWCS News Blog is also a great information resource.
