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Transcript of GSES Viewbook
G R E AT D AY
GOOD SHEPHERD!
- MAKE IT A -
At Good Shepherd Episcopal School, we start and end with children
- your children, who we share for a few short years. Our exceptional
curriculum and signature programs are designed to encourage
learning through a well-balanced and meaningful educational
experience for all students, prekindergarten through eighth grade.
At Good Shepherd, our mission is to inspire your children to learn
with confidence, serve with compassion, and lead with courage.
From the first day of prekindergarten through eighth grade
graduation, we do our best to provide an environment to achieve
this mission.
Our early childhood program allows the youngest of our students to
discover their own joy and confidence in how they learn. They are
able to participate in a myriad of activities to uncover strengths,
develop creativity, implement important socialization skills,
begin to serve others, and even learn early leadership skills. In
the lower school, our students continue to grow, discovering new
interests, establishing strong moral values, and building self-
esteem and confidence. In the middle school, our students continue
to explore learning, identifying their gifts, stretching their minds,
pursuing their leadership potential while remaining in a close-
knit community where all students are being encouraged and
nurtured. At the end of eighth grade, Good Shepherd students are
well-prepared to matriculate to any top high school in the Dallas
area. They have grown to better understand themselves and can
imagine their exciting futures. This understanding positions them
beautifully to participate fully in the high school search process,
finding that just-right high school fit.
Come by our campus to visit and experience the community that is
Good Shepherd Episcopal School.
THE REAL “US.”
feel the at gses
Early childhood and lower school
teachers know better than most that
there is no crystal ball that predicts
the future, so we teach our students to
think and do for themselves. We give
them the skills and substance to be
adaptable, versatile, and able to think
on their feet.
I good shepherd
because it was my
children’s second home”- Alumni parent
i my teacher’s hugs, and she lets me run and play”- Andrew, PreK student
early childhood
I good shepherd because we
are a family here. I have fun each
and every day, and I always look
forward to coming to work. I
am lucky enough to have the
opportunity to share my love of
learning, and I truly feel honored
to be a part of this community! It’s a
dream job for me!”
- First grade lower school faculty
low
er sc
hool
Everything we do academically at Good Shepherd is intentional and deliberate, intended to be customizable to the unique learning styles of each child. Our faculty is gifted and exceptional. Through ongoing professional development, they have perfected a delicate balance between telling their students what they need to know and letting them figure things out for themselves.
The classroom environment allows for a space
of creativity, exploration, and adaptability.
Tables for facilitating teamwork replace
traditional desks. Technology is ubiquitous and
integrated for meaningful, productive learning.
Our student-centered learning incorporates
plenty of time for play, movement, and
collaboration. Students work together to create,
produce, and construct, not consume.
Throughout the curriculum we encourage
teamwork, partnership, and camaraderie
among our students. From the Classroom of the
Earth trips, where our kids tame the wilderness
together, to the ensemble music-making of the
Orff classes, to the SPARQ Innovation Space,
designed to foster collaboration and a sense
of shared purpose, each of our programs
encourages the intentional development of
mindful habits.
We good shepherd
because the teachers
are dedicated to helping
students achieve both their
personal and academic best.
The school’s dedication to
a solid academic program,
the arts, daily physical
education, and chapel
make it a nurturing place
where young people can
thrive and grow into
confident, compassionate
adolescents.”
- Current family
Our nurturing environment ensures that all lower school children are ready for their next
step into our middle school. They are ready to follow their own paths to reach their greatest
potential - and blossom into engaged, enthusiastic scholars with a diverse range of talents. At
Good Shepherd, the school day doesn’t end after the last bell rings. Many of our students fill
that tricky time of day, after school but before dinner, with something fun and interesting. Our
Capers extended day program, and our Encore enrichment offerings provide numerous grade-
level activites and a head start on homework.
my teacher taught me that in this world you have to
go with your gut and look for what is true.”- Jack, 4th grade student
Lower school
mid
dle s
choo
l
Good Shepherd’s middle school academic
program is unbridled vigor! Our objective
is to bring out “the BEST” in each student.
What does “the best” mean? We define it
as celebrating and fine-tuning the unique
qualities inherent in each student and
guiding them to discover and employ
their diverse strengths to develop their
full potential. Being a GSES middle
schooler means taking academic risks,
asking questions, even falling down once
in a while, because we are in a setting
where it is understood we are still learning.
It is through the total experience that each
student receives the type of education that
is ideally suited to their aptitude and their
passions in preparation for high school.
what I about gses
is that it provides
the quality education
I am looking for in a
private school and
at the same time
is small enough
that every child is
nurtured and treated
special in their
own way! Whether
athletic, artistic,
or mathematic,
my son’s talents
are cultivated.
The entire school
is a community….
students, faculty,
and parents. It is a
great place to call
home!”
- Current parent
Without the influence of a high school
program, our middle school students
have the freedom to discover their
own strengths. Through a variety
of designed learning experiences,
students are surrounded by
opportunities to learn individually and
collectively. Students are challenged
and supported as they navigate
the pathway to becoming lifelong
learners. Perhaps most importantly,
as they prepare for high school, our
middle school students regularly
grapple with higher levels of thinking
and complex problem solving.
The classrooms in our middle school will look and
feel differently than those of surrounding schools.
They are mobile and modular. Round tables for
group discussions, rolling desks for project partners,
traditional desks for teacher instructed learning – at
Good Shepherd we have it all. Why? Because the
real world is about being adaptable and flexible
to any situation, and our faculty ensure that each
student is equipped with the tools and skills they
will need to succeed here and in whatever high
school they attend.
GSES is a tremendous gift
to our family. The strong
sense of community, the
support our children receive
from their teachers, and
the confidence that has
blossomed in them are
outstanding. GSES has
created a bond between the
school and our children that
gives them so much happiness
every day and memories that
will last a lifetime.”
- Current parent
middle school
It is no wonder that our students go on to attend
the top high schools in the area, and many receive
scholarships for their academic achievements.
Recent graduates have been accepted to:
Bishop Lynch High School
Booker T Washington High School
Cistercian Preparatory School
The Episcopal School of Dallas
Greenhill School
The Hockaday School
Jesuit College Prep. School of Dallas
John Paul II High School
Parish Episcopal School
School of Science & Engineering Magnet
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Trinity Christian Academy
Ursuline Academy of Dallas
soccer
softball
19 tapps championships in the past six years
19 tapps championships in the past six years
football
cross country
basketball
track & field
80% of seventh & eighth graders particIpate in at least one of our nine athletic offerings
80% of seventh & eighth graders particIpate in at least one of our nine athletic offerings
golf
volleyball
Being able to help build a
foundation for children
rooted in Christian beliefs
and traditions while
allowing them to preserve
their own families’ religious
heritage is a true honor.
i gses because i have
the opportunity to help
students understand
different points of view
in a diverse society while
fostering god’s teachings
of caring and sharing with
respect and dignity. for
me, there is no greater
chaplain’s blessing than
to help open the eyes of a
child’s heart!”
- Lower school lay chaplainand alumni parent
Good Shepherd Episcopal
School is an outreach of
The Episcopal Church of
the Good Shepherd and
enjoys a healthy and fruitful
relationship with the church.
As an Episcopal school, we
have a reverence for faith
and reason along with a
sense of duty to serve others
rooted in the Episcopalian
tenets, but inclusive of all
beliefs and backgrounds.
The connection of our
spirituality is Chapel, a place,
program, and sanctuary for
students, faculty, and staff of
all beliefs and backgrounds.
Chapel is where our entire
community comes together
to nurture the spiritual beings
we are and to encourage one
another on our journeys of
faith.
Our Christian faith and values
explain why we do some of the
things we do - not just why we
start our day with prayer or
have chapel, but why we try to
forge a meaningful community
or take on acts of service and
social justice. All of that comes
out of our understanding of
what it means to be God’s
people in the world. And those
tenets we share with other
faith traditions include our
belief that:
• Everyone has inherent
worth as a creation of God.
• Every individual shares
responsibility for the
community to put their best
effort forward in all areas.
• Individual moral integrity
and a core of common
values are essential to every
community.
• Mutual respect among
people of varied backgrounds
and perspectives leads
to positive, beneficial
relationships.
• Individuals thrive in a safe,
nurturing environment where
they can be comfortable in
taking risks and where they
can develop their talents.
EPISCOPAL TENETS1. Common Prayer 2. Intellectual Discipline 3. Welcoming Community 4. Respect for Others 5. Compassionate Service
chapel
tech
nolo
gy
While many schools have STEM labs,
Good Shepherd went in a totally
different direction with the creation of
SPARQ (Solving Problems, Asking Real-
World Questions) - a unique learning
space where students at all grade levels
use the latest advances in technology
to enhance projects or create and
gain new skills from leap motion, 3D
modeling and printing, robotics, coding
and circuitry, to rapid prototyping and
film making.Child by child, we harness technology
to customize effective teaching
for a multitude of learning styles.
Hundreds of grade-level applications
are supported by our educational
technologists who know how to use
them to enhance learning. They give
our teachers a framework through
which each child can engage in
individualized and self-directed ways.
COE is one of the best
things our school has to
offer. camping for days
on end is an exciting,
challenging, rewarding
experience. ”
- Bella6th grade student
classroom of
the earthOur Classroom of the Earth (COE)
program is outdoor education in a
class of its own. It’s the original. It’s
groundbreaking. The wilderness gets
wilder as our students get older.
Nature hikes in PreK through first
grade give way to a ten-day hiking/
camping adventure in the Colorado
Rocky Mountains in eighth grade. In
their years here, the students will hike
over 50 miles, travel over 5,000 miles,
canoe 10 miles, and raft 11 miles,
among other adventures; the scope of
the program goes way beyond nature
study.
You’ll be amazed at the places your
children will go. Children learn best by
doing. They learn that the world extends
way beyond the “walls” of our everyday
lives. And they learn so much about
themselves and how their individual
efforts impact the success of their
peers. It is real world education, and
nobody does it better than we do.
Our Spanish curriculum is creative,
ambitious, and designed to go way
beyond merely learning to speak the
language. Because students start
Spanish in PreK, our Spanish curriculum
is designed to dig deeper into cultural
backgrounds, advanced sentence
structure, and real world stories. Native
speakers from South America visit our
classes to tell all about their language
and their lives. Due to our students’
comprehensive preparation, they are
both conversationally proficient and
culturally knowledgeable. Most of our
graduates are placed in second-year
Spanish or beyond in their first year
of high school. A summer immersion
program in Costa Rica is available for
older students.
I gses because
of our fine arts and
foreign language
programs. We have so
many interesting tools
for creating, and in my
case, performing.”
- John 5th grade student
span
ish
fine artsWhat happens at the crossroads of
creative expression, academic freedom,
and ample time? In a word, art, the way
it’s done at Good Shepherd. We give
generously to the arts here, with art and
music classes alternating every day,
starting in first grade. Creativity is free to
blossom, and being creative becomes a
habit without ever being mundane.
Orff Schulwerk is a process of teaching
music that has been around for over
one hundred years. It is beautiful in its
simplicity. Based on things all children like
to do - like clap, dance, sing, and keep a
beat - music is made without constraint
or convention. The Orff process is proven
to make music relevant to children at
all grade levels in a personal way, which
can fuel their creativity as they grow and
develop as artists.
Visual art class is held twice a week, every
week of every year, at Good Shepherd.
Beginning in lower school, students study
painting, drawing, and sculpture. They
learn principles of line, shape, form,
color, texture, contrast, pattern, rhythm,
and space. By middle school, we explore
broader subjects, including two-and three-
dimensional design and printmaking.
A year-long drama class for eighth graders
produces two live events each year. The
class is designed to build children’s
confidence and comfort with presenting
themselves live and in person. In addition,
the Musical Theatre Club for fifth through
eighth grade stages a musical each year.
During the first eight years of school, your child is constantly growing –
physically, mentally, and emotionally. At Good Shepherd, our programs and
curriculum are focused on discovering how your child learns; allowing them to identify their strengths, interests,
gifts, and learning style in a community where all are encouraged and
nurtured.
eigh
t for
eigh
t
The Good Shepherd connection continues throughout life. Our
students know that just as in choosing a high school that is compatible with their aspirations, likewise they know how to choose colleges and universities to fulfill their potential in
becoming learners, benefactor, and leaders. They maintain close relationships with their friends,
teachers, and coaches throughout high school and college, and often return to give back to
GSES in many different ways. We even have alumni and alumni parents who come back to
serve as teachers, staff, and administrators for future generations of GSES students.
As a PreK-8th grade school we create a well-balanced and meaningful educational
experience around key developmental areas:
Intellectual – A strong foundation of comprehensive instruction across all grade
levels where faculty discuss your child’s academic strengths and needs across the divisions. We know
and understand your child over time and can help them maximize their potential over the years.
Emotional – A -- --community that provides students the chance to join together to serve others with compassion and
lead with courage.
As an outreach of The Episcopal Church of the
Good Shepherd, our inclusive faith-based community provides all students, of every
age, a sense of the values and skills necessary to become an accepting
positive influence in the world around them, respective of their individual beliefs and
backgrounds.
the eightH GRADE advantageNew studies show that the first eight years of school are the most critical for students in developing their creativity, moral values, self-esteem, and confidence. At the end of eight years, our students emerge with a strong sense of self because they have a multitude of opportunities
to explore leadership and service at all
ages.
For many students, entering Good Shepherd in
our PreK program allows them the freedom to participate in unlimited
activities, uncovering strengths and realizing the things that matter most – free
from the pressure of a K-12 school environment. Our lower school students have the advantage of
being a critical part of the life of our school and experiencing all of the resources, programs,
and extras of a bigger school. As for our middle school students, they are not “caught in the middle” and instead become leaders and role models, recognition usually reserved for seniors in high school.
With an exceptional scholastic background behind them, it’s no surprise that our students matriculate to the top high schools
in the area. Our eighth graders spend a year as part of a well-designed, personalized
process. From creating resumes and learning how to prepare for an interview, to mock high
school admission visits, to meetings and advice from our director of high school placement, our
students are pursued because they are well-prepared, self-assured, self-confident, and
well-rounded, often becoming leaders in their high schools.
Your child
is involved in choosing a high school
that is compatible with their aptitude and passions. Our students receive the high school education that is ideally suited to who they have become – not one that was chosen for them as a preschooler. They know what questions to ask to help guide their journey, making their college selection with more confidence than their peers from 12-year schools.
All three of my children gained knowledge, courage, confidence, and
compassion because of their Good Shepherd experience. They are who
they are today and where they are today in large part to gses.”
- Alumni parent
at the of gses
PreK: Application Admission Testing Teacher Evaluation (if applicable) Student Records (if applicable)
Kinder: Application Admission Testing Teacher Evaluation Student Records (if applicable) CATS Testing
First Grade: Application Admission Testing Teacher Evaluation Student Records CATS Testing On-Campus Observation
Second–Fourth Grade: Application Admission Testing Teacher Evaluation Student Records Student Questionnaire CATS Testing Student Visit
Fifth-Eighth Grade: Application ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) Math Teacher Evaluation English Teacher Evaluation Student Records Student Questionnaire Student Essay Student Visit
admission list