2020-21 205 Island Avenue | PO Box 4736 Chattanooga, TN 37405 Office 423.634.7600 | Fax 423.634.7682 GPS.edu | CEEB – 430300
GPS MISSION STATEMENT Girls Preparatory School inspires each girl to lead a life of integrity and purpose by engaging her mind, cultivating her strengths, and nurturing her self-confidence and respect for others.
COVID-19 STATEMENT During the 2020 spring semester, GPS students and faculty quickly transitioned to a virtual format, continuing our normal school schedule each day and without sacrificing course content. Students participated in both synchronous and asynchronous classes, and we are confident that their grades accurately reflect the work, assignments, and other contributions that they made during online learning. The 2020-21 school year is designed to allow for seamless transition between on-campus and virtual learning, where courses and course content are accessible for all members of our community for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
THE SCHOOL At a time when girls were not afforded the same college preparatory education as boys, three visionary female school teachers started Girls Preparatory School. More than 110 years later, the stories and the trajectory of the lives of thousands of girls have been written and modeled because of the tenacity of the three Founders, who were not only educators but also resourceful social entrepreneurs. With support from their GPS sisters, teachers, coaches, and counselors, girls are free to discover their passions in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage. From being first in the community to provide girls opportunities for sports, such as golf and lacrosse, to hosting all-girl entrepreneurial events and special speakers, GPS remains committed to its initial resolve to provide an environment where everything begins and ends with what is best for girls.
Dr. R. Kirk Walker Jr. Interim Head of School 423.634.7629 kwalker@GPS.edu
Jenise Gordon Head of Upper School 423.634.7613 jgordon@gps.edu
Susan McCarter Director of College Counseling 423.634.7625 smccarter@gps.edu
Amelia Mann Assoc. Director of College Counseling 423.634.5441 amann@gps.edu
Karen Richards Administrative Assistant 423.634.7624 krichards@gps.edu
While GPS has evolved and grown since 1906, one constant remains: a passion and commitment for preparing girls—in mind, body, and spirit—for college and for life. • GPS values are HONOR, RESPECT, CURIOSITY, INDIVIDUALITY, and RELATIONSHIPS. • ADMISSION to GPS is selective. The current
sixth-grade class of 54 girls come from 25 sending schools located within the greater Chattanooga area. Around 43 percent of the 2020-21 student body receives need-based financial aid.
• THE GPS FACULTY includes 69 teachers;
78% hold advanced degrees.
• As seniors, students present a seven-minute CHAPEL TALK at a school-wide assembly,
giving each girl an opportunity to share her view and opinion on the topic of her choosing.
• THE ACADEMIC YEAR is divided into two
semesters; Upper School students attend classes four days a week on campus and one day asynchronously.
• GPS offers 21 ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDITS and 17 HONORS CLASSES. Students
must be recommended to take an AP course and are required to sit for the exam. (Due to COVID-19, our
2019-20 AP students were test optional.) Our unique schedule may prohibit students from enrolling in all courses for which they are eligible. • All GPS students sign an HONOR CODE that states
they will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor allow those behaviors by others—on campus, off campus, and online. The purpose of the Honor Code is to help our girls lead lives of integrity by respecting themselves, each other, and their community while also keeping our campus safe; there are no locks on lockers. The Honor Council is student-led.
• By partnering with ONE SCHOOLHOUSE, GPS
is able to provide students with a range of on-line options. One Schoolhouse is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
• GPS fosters a robust ALUMNAE NETWORK.
Former students contribute generously to the school’s IMPACT FUND, meet regularly via onand off-campus events, and serve as mentors to our current student body.