Gilbert Classical Academy

GILBERT CLASSICAL ACADEMY A NATIONALLY RANKED ACADEMY WITHIN THE GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILY, A DISTRICT KNOWN FOR OVER A CENTURY OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. IF YOU WANT A RIGOROUS, QUALITY EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD...

YOU BELONG HERE.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2018/19

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

DISCOVER GCA 03 Principal's Message 04 Mission & Vision 05 What is Classical Education?

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07 Curriculum 09 Clubs & Activities 10 Elective Courses 11 Performing Arts 12 Spartan Sports

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13 Alumni Success 14 Awards & Accolades 15 Why GCA? 16 Are you a Spartan?

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  Gilbert Classical Academy is an honors level school utilizing one-to-one integrated technology incorporated with Socratic instruction to prepare students for postsecondary education at the university level. GCA is a small school which embodies a strong unity amongst students and the surrounding community. All students are required to take Advanced Placement level courses for their upper-class core subject areas. Students are required to perform 80 hours of community service in order to graduate.

In addition to the community service hours, students are required to write and defend a 4,000-word Senior Thesis Project about a topic of their selection.

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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE Gilbert Classical Academy is one of the most exciting and innovative schools in the nation.

Currently ranked the number 30 school in the nation and number 8 in the state by U.S. News and World Report, the combination of a Classical-style, AP and honors-level curriculum paired with one-to-one computing technology presents an opportunity for you to receive an excellent education in a small-school environment.

As a member of the highly successful Gilbert Public Schools, the GCA promises to provide you and your family with an exemplary educational program, exciting athletic competition, superior performing arts instruction, and a culture of acceptance and understanding.Â

In addition, we enhance the GPS tradition of the Six Pillars of Character by promoting the GCA Ten Traits of Virtue. The faculty, staff and administration are committed to providing all GCA students with a challenging, rich, and relevant education experience that will prepare them for university study and a lifetime of learning.

Dan Hood PRINCIPAL

MISSION STATEMENT Gilbert Classical Academy is committed to developing students of impeccable character who embrace a passion for learning by gaining a solid foundation of knowledge through a rigorous, classical curriculum.

Utilizing the Socratic method of instruction, students are empowered to think critically, work collaboratively, and prepare for lifelong learning.

VISION STATEMENT The vision of Gilbert Classical Academy is to prepare students for success at a college or university by fostering the development of each student’s academic and social potential.

WHAT IS CLASSI Western Philosophy of the Trivium Focus on Virtue and Character Socratic Method of Instruction One-to-One Computing Classical Languages Legion Mentor

CAL EDUCATION?

J U N I O R

H I G H

COURSES

H I G H

S C H O O L

COURSES

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR EDUCATION WITH OUR VAST OFFERINGS OF CLUBS, ACTIVITIES, AND ELECTIVES.

ELECTIVE

COURSES Psychology I This course will examine human behavior. Topics will include the history of psychology and explore the topics of learning and memory, methods of research, state of consciousness and analysis of behavior.

Psychology II This course will explore infancy and childhood, adolescence, adulthood, personality theories, psychological testing, stress and health, psychological disorders, methods of therapy, social cognition and social interaction.

Journalism I This course will introduce basic journalism skills. Writing design and layout is emphasized.

Journalism II This course will incorporate the skills learned in Journalism I through the publication of the school newspaper, magazine or other publications.

Art & Design I This course will introduce students to the basic elements and principles of design. Students will learn drawing techniques emphasizing line, positive/negative space, perspective, value, texture, lettering, and portrait proportion by utilizing black and white media.

Students will also explore studies in color and advanced drawing and painting techniques.

Art & Design II - Drawing This course will provide a comprehensive understanding, appreciation, and exploration of drawing, using both wet and dry media in perspective, landscape, portrait, still life, and figure drawing. Historical aspects, contemporary trends, and art criticism will be studied.

STEM Service Learning This class is based on the Engineering Projects in Service curriculum developed at Purdue University and sponsored locally by ASU. Students will learn the human-centered design process and then apply it to solve a real-world problem faced by a partner organization in the community. Students will be expected to develop specifications, design their product, build a working prototype, and present it to their partner. This class will prepare students with technical and communication skills for a possible career in science, technology, engineering, or math. This class also satisfies GCA’s service learning and college prep course requirements.

AP Latin This course is designed to give students the experience needed to be successful on the College Board AP Latin exam. The course’s goals are to develop the students’ abilities to read aloud and translate the required passages from Caesar’s De bello ‘Gallico’ and Vergil’s ‘Aeneid’ into English as literally as possible, to help them understand the context of the written passages (including the political, historical, literary, and cultural background of each author and text), and to help them understand the reasons behind the particular style of writing and the rhetorical devices employed. The course should also help students to be successful in analyzing Latin passages to understand how and why the author uses the language in a particular way and the effects he is hoping to produce. Students will learn to analyze the text and draw their own logical conclusions. This course should give students tools to read Latin prose and poetry aloud and with accurate comprehension and appreciation. For the Vergil text, students will learn dactylic hexameter and how it is used to enhance the text and create effect, and students will scan the poetry at least once a week.

Honors Spanish III This is a Blended Learning Course taken online within the normal GCA class schedule with the support of a teacher to assist with course material. In this course, students will expand their vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, and experiences with Spanish-speaking countries. The purpose of this course is to provide many experiences where students can use Spanish. Completely immersed in Spanish, students speak, listen, read, write, and collaborate with other students in this course. They also gain knowledge and perspectives about Spanish-speaking countries and from Spanish-speaking people.

PERFORMING ARTS BAND

ORCHESTRA

GUITAR

CONCERT SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE

CONCERT SYPHONIC STRINGS

BEGINNING INTERMEDIATE

CHOIR

DRAMA

CHORALE WOMEN'S CHORUS MEN'S CHORUS

BEGINNING INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED TECHNICAL THEATRE

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

CROSS COUNTRY

BOY'S BASKETBALL

GOLF

SWIMMING/DIVING

GIRL'S BASKETBALL

TENNIS

GIRL'S VOLLEYBALL

BOY'S SOCCER

SOFTBALL

CHESS

GIRL'S SOCCER

BASEBALL TRACK & FIELD

GPS DISTRICT JUNIOR HIGH & AIA SANCTIONED HIGH SCHOOL

ATHLETICS

ALUMNI

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

RANKED 8TH BEST ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL & 30TH IN THE NATION BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT Graduation Rate 2011-2017: 100% Post-Graduate Plans of Senior Class of 2016 & 2017:

24% Accepted &/or Enrolled at Out-ofState Universities 69% Accepted &/or Enrolled at In-State Universities

7% Accepted &/or Enrolled at Community College

2016-2017 AP Scholars & National Merit Finalists: 47 AP Scholars 17 AP Scholars with Honor 4 National Merit Finalist 1 Commended Student 4 National Achievement Scholars 21 AP Scholars with Distinction 13 National Hispanic Recognition Program

WHY CHOOSE GCA?

"GCA has the small family feel that is conducive to supporting the rigorous curriculum and high student expectations.

Teachers and students go out of their way to SUPPORT one another."

BOWERS FAMILY

"RIGOROUS curriculum and high expectations with committed students and teachers."

MAUREEN BARNABAS,, TEACHER

"One of our family's favorite attributers of GCA is the UNIFORM." LESLIE VIDLER, PARENT

"I will always be grateful to my Academy teachers for preparing me for SUCCESS at college."

TAYLOR ELINSKI, GCA ALUMNI

"...To get an education which will serve them in the future. Use of CHROMEBOOKS and current technology...To follow a path to college...At GCA it is assumed that she is college-bound and the support is there to put her on that path."

KRISTI TURNER, PARENT

ARE YOU A SPARTAN?

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