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A viewbook that provides an introduction to this academic, racially diverse, child-centered nursery to eighth grade school.
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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.
e i g h t h g r a d e r s a r e a n n u a l l y r e c r u i t e d b y s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s
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