Gilmour Academy Viewbook

Gilmour Academy 34001 Cedar Road Gates Mills, Ohio 44140-9356 www.gilmour.org admissions@gilmour.org Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 7–12) (440) 473-8050 Lower School (Montessori Preschool and K–6) (440) 473-8165

Learning is not just about finding answers; it’s also about asking questions.

The questions and answers are before you.

Bring your unique experiences, talents, background and perspective and join us as we explore these questions together.

Gilmour Academy is nestled among 144 sprawling acres in scenic Gates Mills, Ohio. Gilmour stands proud of its long tradition of commitment to scholarship, leadership and service.

Founded in 1946 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, Gilmour takes its name from the second Bishop of Cleveland Right Reverend Richard Gilmour. Gilmour is situated on the former Cedar Hill Farm, a retreat of noted industrialist and Cleveland philanthropist Francis E. Drury.

Forever forward-thinking, global in outlook, and cognizant of the need to work with people of all backgrounds, races, religions and perspectives while remaining reflective of Catholic tradition, Gilmour Academy embraces its mission from Holy Cross founder Father Basil Moreau, C.S.C.: “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.”

This duality of mission has inspired the education of generations of Gilmour students. As an independent, Catholic, co-educational college preparatory day and boarding school, Gilmour offers a Montessori preschool program, Lower School (grades K–6), Middle School (grades 7– 8) and Upper School (grades 9–12).

Gilmour combines a faith-based foundation with the hallmarks of a true independent school model: small class sizes, dynamic student-faculty relationships, outstanding academic opportunities and highly focused student advising.

As an independent, faith-based school, Gilmour gives students unique and enhanced opportunities for academic and personal growth. Gilmour’s distinct mission combines academic excellence with spiritual grounding to engage the whole student: mind, heart and body.

We address the needs of all students and prepare them for a life of unlimited potential. Gilmour deliberately fashions a warm, welcoming, family-like educational environment that encourages students to take responsibility for their learning and achieve their personal best. Our seven education outcomes serve as guiding principles for the enduring learners we nurture while providing curriculum coherence throughout our school.

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Persons on a journey of faith Effective communicators Analytical, reflective and complex thinkers Effective problem-solvers Self-directed, responsible, lifelong learners Collaborative contributors Morally responsible persons

Guidance & Advisory Programming As partners with parents, teachers, and staff, the guidance team at Gilmour is committed to student enrichment. Guidance and counseling at Gilmour incorporate individual as well as small-group counseling, academic skills support and college and career planning.

One of the most powerful forms of support and guidance at Gilmour is the Advisory Program.

Meeting weekly, the advisory group is home base to each small, grade-level group of students facilitated by a faculty member. Here students feel comfortable sharing their hopes, concerns and successes.

And because faculty advisors work with only a small group of students, often they are in the best position to support, assess and advise.

Our Montessori preschool program is one of only six in Ohio and the only one in Northeast Ohio to earn the American Montessori Society accreditation status.

Gilmour’s Montessori preschool program naturally combines the guiding values of Gilmour Academy with the principles and methods of the century-old Montessori Method.

Beginning at the age of three, children in the Montessori preschool program are guided by the same trained and experienced teacher for the next three years – including kindergarten – in their emotional, social, cognitive and physical growth. Acting on their natural curiosity, young children explore and learn from their classroom environment, their peers and their teachers.

To enter our Montessori classrooms is to enter a world of engaged children, learning gradually from their caring and nurturing teachers and surroundings. Gilmour’s Montessori preschool program offers plentiful opportunities for children to practice respect, sharing and concern for others – all while benefiting from a balanced and enriched curriculum. Subjects including math, language, science, art, reading, geography, music and computers are explored and experienced through age-appropriate activities and engagement.

Our Lower School provides an engaging and challenging foundation for learning.

Gilmour’s Lower School is an exciting place to be.

Students can be found researching the contents of Native American burial grounds, interpreting and graphing weather data from self-constructed instruments or practicing for a bilingual language concert. Technologyenhanced learning opportunities begin in the youngest grades where students are exposed to a full electronic keyboard laboratory, SMARTBoards ™ in the classroom and a digital library media studio.

The foundation of student learning begins at Gilmour’s Lower School. The skills needed to excel in both education and life are taught and encouraged. Problemsolving, critical thinking, academic proficiency and expressive independence are all acquired and supported.

Our faculty uses an integrated approach in the classroom.

This allows teachers to delve more deeply into their respective disciplines and impart understanding of a rich variety of interdisciplinary subjects including math, science, English, social studies, reading, languages, art, music, drama, religion and physical education.

Learning at the Lower School connects academics with physical activity and health education for a seamless and well-rounded experience. Students also enjoy exposure to individual and team sports – including ice skating and swimming.

Academic enrichment opportunities reach beyond classroom learning. Field trips to places such as Severance Hall, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and the Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, as well as overnight trips to environmental camps and Williamsburg, offer immersion into different worlds while challenging students’ minds.

Our Middle School is a successful bridge . . . and much more.

Being in the middle is just that – finding oneself between childhood and adolescence and the corresponding expectations of each. But at Gilmour we view middle school education as a unique opportunity to support our young teenagers in their quest for academic success.

Our Middle School uses the same block scheduling as the Upper School, affording students a smoother transition to high school and in-depth examination of academic subjects via 90-minute classes that meet on alternating days. Middle School students are offered early matriculation in math and world language courses. Shared facilities and programming, including daily convocation with the Upper School, allow students to become familiar with their future teachers.

Hands-on learning experiences, like the physics challenge to build an unsinkable boat made completely of cardboard, encourage students to work together as a team, problem-solve and apply learned concepts. Field trips to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Great Lakes Science Center and Holden Arboretum offer exciting ways to extend learning outside the classroom and take full advantage of the rich resources of our community.

Our Upper School offers a vibrant learning and spiritual environment where students thrive.

Learning is multi-dimensional, and students at Gilmour’s Upper School benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to teaching.

Academic requirements are rigorous, with numerous AP and college-level classes, while allowing ample room for elective choices in all curriculum areas.

Students, teachers and parents work in partnership to create an intellectually stimulating, caring and responsible learning environment. This partnership shines through at Gilmour, especially in preparing for college, where our counselors prepare students to best showcase their unique talents and achievements.

Block scheduling allows students to examine their academic disciplines at a deeper level. Socratic seminars and an emphasis on public speaking encourage our high school students to be open-minded learners and receptive listeners.

Beginning with convocation every morning, students gather as a community to reflect on the upcoming day and derive energy from the collective pulse of the school. Our Upper School’s vibrant learning and spiritual environment is reflected in students’ respect for themselves, their peers, faculty, family and community.

Our faculty’s dedication reaches beyond the classroom.

Gilmour’s outstanding faculty offers students exceptional opportunities for learning. More than 75 percent of our teachers have earned master’s and doctorate degrees in their respective disciplines, and they bring years of knowledgeable instructional practice to the classroom.

Although the heart of learning resides in the bond of relationships between students and teachers, what happens outside class is the mark of the true commitment of a Gilmour faculty member.

Teachers and administrators are involved in coaching athletics, moderating student clubs, mentoring their advisees, providing after-school tutoring or simply supporting the Gilmour community by heading to the bleachers to cheer on the Lancers.

We bring the world to our campus by providing

Our parents and alumni are important partners

a home away from home for national and

in the educational journey.

international students in our Boarding Program.

Each year 50 students in grades 7–12 come together to live, learn, grow and thrive in our Boarding Program.

Whether joining us from 15 states coast to coast, several countries around the world or neighboring communities, students form lasting bonds while living at Gilmour. The entire Gilmour community values and appreciates the geographic, religious, racial and cultural diversity this unique subset of students share in our school.

Under the direction of the Dean of Residential Life, boarding students benefit from caring interactions with professional staff who live side-by-side with students in Murphy Hall. The safe, comfortable and fulfilling environment ensures that students are supported and productive. Boarding students learn key life and character skills that benefit them into college, young adulthood and beyond.

Murphy Hall offers a recreation room, fitness center, computer lab, dining area and convenient access to all classroom buildings and the chapel, dining commons, library, athletic areas and other campus facilities.

Boarding students take advantage of Northeast Ohio’s plentiful cultural and recreational offerings through special events and outings.

Successful 21st century education requires collaboration among students, teachers, parents and the community. The outstanding support of our parents’ committees and alumni groups gives Gilmour a distinctive strength.

While parent activities are specific to the school divisions, the underlying foundation of parent support enriches our entire community. At Gilmour, we value the important responsibility we share with parents in the development of their children.

Gilmour graduates now number over 4,500. The Gilmour Alumni Association helps our graduates maintain their bonds of friendship, offers professional networking opportunities and provides ways to stay connected to the school that helped them become who they are today.

We are pleased to count a former Cabinet Secretary to the President of the United States, an Emmy Award-winning television producer and published researchers and writers among our graduates, as well as successful professionals, entrepreneurs, CEOs, scientists, physicians and teachers – all serving as competent moral leaders striving to make the world a more just and humane place.

In a world in need of moral commitment, Gilmour’s faith-based education emphasizes inclusiveness and service.

Our students are at different points in their life and faith journey.

Gilmour not only recognizes differences, but also uses them as a platform for embracing inclusiveness. We welcome all dimensions of diversity and emphasize learning from all religions.

The urgency to improve the world, reach out to those in need and serve the community ignites passion in Gilmour students. From the youngest learners collecting aluminum cans to aid burn victims to juniors and seniors traveling to Honduras for cultural immersion and volunteering, Gilmour students serve the community – whether the need is nearby or a continent away.

Samples of Service Opportunities at Gilmour • Growing, cooking and serving food at the West Side Catholic Center • Interacting with developmentally-disabled children at the Metzenbaum Center • Making friendly visits to the elderly at nursing homes • Donating and organizing food for the Cleveland Foodbank • Conducting fundraisers and donating to local and overseas charities • Building homes for Habitat for Humanity • Volunteering with inner-city school students

Technology is at the helm of Gilmour’s learning resources.

Technological prowess is a key to success. And yet, the ability to integrate technological advances into practical and meaningful applications for learning still evades many educational institutions. Throughout Gilmour, enhanced learning through technology integration is evident. From our wireless campus to our Library Media Centers, interactive digital SMARTBoards to our 1,800-square-foot Broadcast Media Center, technology increases the potential for learning and dynamic interaction with the world.

In addition, Gilmour teaches 21st century information literacy skills to enable students to manage the enormous amount of information available from online sources. Students are taught the tools needed to navigate their Internet world for effective research and lifelong learning.

Inspiring Innovators: Future Scientists Gain Research Experience Through our Catalyst Program, students in the Upper School participate in real-world scientific research opportunities often reserved for university and graduate scholars. Partnerships with prominent area institutions enable students to intern in a variety of laboratories and gain exposure to authentic research and the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

Gilmour readies students for success in our global community.

Preparations for tomorrow must begin today. Instilling a sense of global awareness in Gilmour students happens through study, immersion experiences and partnerships with other schools.

Worldwide studies engage students in the realm of understanding beyond their own backyard. Language study – including Mandarin Chinese and Arabic – prepares students for global conversations. Studies in Western and Eastern cultures expose students to a broad range of curriculum concepts.

Gilmour students don’t just learn about diverse peoples; they reflect global communities themselves. Students represent local, national and even international populations and bring with them diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Visits to other countries allow Gilmour students to learn about international cultures. Meanwhile, international students bring global flavor to Gilmour’s campus. Partnerships with other Holy Cross schools worldwide encourage foreign students to travel to Gilmour from as far away as Santiago, Chile.

Discover your talents and passions at Gilmour.

Be it athletics, speech and debate, digital media, drama, music, journalism, visual arts – the opportunities are unlimited. Gilmour’s safe and challenging learning environment offers unparalleled ways to discover student potential and explore new ideas, pursuits and passions.

Debate & Drama The communication skills students acquire in the classroom can climb to exceptional heights in the debate and drama programs. Whether the format is artistic or persuasive, being able to stand confidently in front of one’s peers is invaluable and serves students throughout their lifetimes. Gilmour students rank among the best in local, state and national speech and debate competitions.The National Forensic League consistently recognizes Gilmour’s program in the top one percent of the nation.Theatrical performances, including a spring musical, showcase Gilmour students’ talents and give others an opportunity to experience theater as engaged observers.

Music Whether learning to play an instrument or studying voice, music theory or composition, Gilmour students embrace the enjoyment of music at all levels. Comprehensive instruction is tailored to students’ abilities and interests at each grade level. Performances for the entire Gilmour community highlight musical growth and show pride in acquiring new skills.

Print and Digital Journalism Promising journalists capture and record the essence of Gilmour. Writing for The Lance, shooting photos for the yearbook, editing news video and taping on-air broadcasts all illustrate ways students develop skills in research, writing, reporting and publishing. Lancer Spirit videos are student creations using the latest technology in Gilmour’s Broadcast Media Center. In the Middle is a quarterly newsletter produced by Middle School students.

Lower School students create National History Day documentaries in our library digital media studio. The state and district award-winning documentaries teach students to use technology to make history come alive.

Visual Arts At Gilmour, the visual arts emphasize expressive independence and are an essential component of the learning experience. Via direct integration of art with other classroom learning, Gilmour students enjoy seamless incorporation of artistic expression. By working with diverse media – from pottery to photography, architecture to graphic design, fashion design to painting – students learn art as a form of communication and universal relevance.

Gilmour’s All-School Art Show offers student artists an opportunity to display their works to the wider community.

Retreats Technologically-enhanced learning opportunities such as electronic keyboards or digital music software allow students to reach their full musical potential. Gilmour’s popular and progressive computer music curriculum offers students the opportunity to learn digital composition and performance.

An opportunity to look spiritually inward, yearly student retreats offer time for contemplation and reflection. Retreats provide leadership and community building opportunities as older students routinely take on the task of leading and advising younger students’ retreat programs. Retreats are often multi-day experiences, conducted on or off campus, deepening faith and spurring spiritual growth as individuals and as a student body.

To be a Lancer means exhibiting courage and the drive to excel on and off the field. Gilmour’s Upper School teams routinely rank among the best in the state, and yet, with each athletic success, our focus remains on good sportsmanship, wholesome rivalry and the value of physical activity.

Gilmour’s Lower School intramural programs and physical education classes provide exposure to individual and team sports and help create lifelong healthy habits.

The first-rate athletic facilities are often compared with those seen at the collegiate level. At Gilmour’s Middle and Upper Schools more than 75 percent of students are involved in at least one competitive sport.

Lower School

Middle and Upper School

Baseball

Men’s

Women’s

Basketball

Baseball

Basketball

Figure Skating

Basketball

Cheerleading

Football

Cross Country

Cross Country

Golf

Football

Lacrosse

Hockey

Golf

Prep Hockey

Lacrosse

Lacrosse

Soccer

Matball

Soccer

Softball

Martial Arts

Swimming

Swimming

Soccer

Tennis

Tennis

Softball

Track

Track

Swimming

Prep Hockey

Volleyball

Tennis

Varsity A Hockey

Volleyball

Varsity B Hockey

Track

Please call us today and schedule your personal visitation.

Our admissions staff can answer your questions and get you started on your application and admissions process.

(440) 473-8050 www.gilmour.org