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Mission & Values

Accomplishing our goal of educating students is not simple or ordinary (at least not how we do it). For us, it’s not enough for students to acquire great knowledge about great things and be truly prepared for college. It’s not enough for them to make strides in social development, creative talent, and athletic ability.

Yes, we push our students to do all these things. But we also press them to look deep inside, to find and clarify their authentic selves, to blossom intellectually, personally, and spiritually.

Students learn about the tension between individual and community, that fairness and justice are inherently tied to each other. They learn to express themselves without trampling others, asking for what they need rather than demanding what they want.

Then, in what seems a fitting fulfillment of our mission, George School students joyously go out into the world comfortable in their self-awareness and confident that they can make the world a better, kinder place.

Our Young Alumni

For Sofia, a small school means big opportunities.

Our Mission Statement

With Quaker tradition as its touchstone and academic excellence at its core, George School seeks to develop citizen scholars cheerfully committed to openness in the pursuit of truth, to service and peace, and to the faithful stewardship of the earth. We want our students to treasure learning for its own sake and to use it to benefit a diverse world. Above all, we want them to “let their lives speak.”

George School Core Values

Transformative Teaching and Learning

Transformative relationships between teachers and students are the heart of the George School educational experience. Based upon a powerful combination of example, mutual respect, and personal commitment, these relationships support a program that is intentionally balanced between rigor and reflection, passion and compassion.

Personal Integrity

The alignment of belief and action that arises when an individual decides what is important and finds a way to be true to it is summed up in George Fox’s phrase “let your life speak.” We share a commitment to honor the Light of God in everyone, and help students develop an understanding of Quaker practices of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, service, and stewardship. Our graduates leave with a firm foundation upon which to build lives of personal integrity.

Unity in Diversity

George School is committed to being a community where people with vastly different backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are united both in their respect for the unique gifts that each brings and in pursuit of a common good. We place a high value on diversity and on the ways that our convictions, both individually and collectively, are broadened, strengthened, and enlightened when we appreciate and respect a range of perspectives.

Responsibility to Others

At George School we are grounded by a sense of responsibility to each other and to the earth we inhabit. This leads us to practice good stewardship in all of our daily actions and decisions. Stewardship recognizes that physical, financial, natural, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual resources are to be grown and sustained for the good of all and for generations to come.

The Plan for George School

In June 2020, the George School Board of Trustees approved The Plan for George School. The plan sets forth a roadmap for critical and disciplined work in four priority areas to help George School strengthen its position as an academically excellent, authentically global school. Learn more.

The priority areas below highlight the first five years of focused activity:

  • Priority Area I: Informed Creativity
  • Priority Area II: Thrive Locally and Globally
  • Priority Area III: Celebrate the George School Experience
  • Priority Area IV: Organize for Success, Innovation, and Growth

INFORMED CREATIVITY: EXCELLENT TEACHING AND LEARNING

VISION: George School is known for its signature curriculum and teaching excellence.

Design and implement a curriculum characterized by informed creativity

  • Interdisciplinary learning for all students
  • Enhanced science, technology, engineering, and math, linked to teaching in the arts
  • Inquiry-based learning as a signature pedagogy
  • Deep commitment to the IB Diploma program
  • Strengthened, consistent, academic, and personal advising
  • Fitness and Athletics Program reflecting our commitment to a holistic education

Create a comprehensive professional development program supporting teaching mastery

  • Rigorous and supportive teacher evaluation program
  • Support for a research-informed and engaged collaborative professional culture

THRIVE LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY

VISION: George School’s students are global citizens who reap the benefits of George School’s diverse and inclusive school community.

Teach the Skills to Thrive

  • Skill development in public speaking, resume crafting, self-advocacy, leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution
  • Support through intentional, focused advising, counseling, and wellness programs
  • Continued investment in a robust, fit-focused college counseling program
  • Support in realizing student ideas—entrepreneurship and innovation

Engage Locally

  • Service, internship, and employment opportunities in the region
  • Use of the campus to benefit the local community

Engage Globally

  • Global partnerships: Establish partnerships with schools abroad for regular academic exchanges
  • Study Abroad: Develop a variety of pathways for students to study abroad for all or part of an academic year or in the summer
  • Reimagine service learning that prizes local and global engagement

CELEBRATE THE GEORGE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

VISION: George School shares its stories and communicates its value proudly and proactively with new and existing audiences.

Articulate and communicate a value proposition

  • Establish brand consistency
  • Enhance brand reach and reputation
  • Use a multi-channel approach to reach target audiences

Create and implement data-driven marketing program

  • Target new markets domestically, while broadening international outreach
  • Dedicate resources to prospective pipelines
  • Diversify international population by enhancing visibility in new and emerging markets
  • Leverage Quaker affiliation

Celebrate the accomplishments of students and faculty

  • Lift up student and faculty accomplishments in timely and effective ways
  • Strategically select and celebrate the accomplishments of young alumni
  • Annually publicize college list and yearly points of pride

ORGANIZE FOR SUCCESS, INNOVATION, AND GROWTH

VISION: George School constantly evaluates its systems, structures, and resources to ensure that it is nimble and poised to act efficiently and effectively.

Commission a campus master plan

  • Identify needs and establish priorities
  • Create modern and flexible academic and creative spaces for all students
  • Develop campus spaces for community-building

Create technology and data evaluation plan

  • Promote excellence and efficiency in operational and administrative management
  • Inventory and assessment of existing databases, data needs, professional development, and technology
  • Development and adoption of efficient data gathering methodologies and education of users of the purpose, rationale, and requirements to create reliable data

Evaluate decision-making structures and practices

  • Ensure shared understanding of Quaker decision-making practices
  • Review committee structures
  • Review of staffing needs and competencies and realignment where necessary

George School Board of Trustees

George School is fortunate to have a dedicated board of trustees, with diverse and expert backgrounds, to oversee the administration of the school and the management of its financial and physical resources. Our trustees share a passion for George School’s mission, our core values, and for our students.

Our 2023-2024 Board of Trustees

George School is a CSEE Member

George School is a member of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, the leading resource for schools committed to teaching fairness, and to graduating compassionate students who have leadership skills, integrity, and a mind toward service, equity, and social justice.

For more than 120 years, CSEE has provided research-based publications, webinars, experts, and events on topics including advising, empathy, leadership, academic integrity, diversity, and service-learning.

CSEE

Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education