FAQ
| Q: | What is it like to be a student at Gailer? |
| A: | Students feel that they learn while having fun. The community is small, accepting, eager to learn and creative. Many opportunities exist for classes to mingle in activities. |
| Q: | How is Gailer unique? |
| A: | At Gailer, there is a strong sense of community. Teachers and students care, support and respect each other. Students are actively involved in the school leadership. The curriculum teaches both content and thoughtful process through interactive classes and creative projects. Students form strong relationships with their teachers as fellow learners. |
| Q: | What is expected of students? |
| A: | Students are expected to prepare for and participate in class, learn effective study and interpersonal habits, complete assignments on time and be positive members of the school community. |
| Q: | How about homework? |
| A: | On average, two to two-and-a-half hours of homework are given daily, including reading, creative writing, group efforts, research papers, essays, art projects and primary source-based histories. |
| Q: | What if I have difficulty learning in school? |
| A: | The Gailer curriculum utilizes a variety of learning strategies. Because classes are small, teachers and students get to know one another well, and individual help is available daily. Support strategies for those with IEPs are also available. |
| Q: | Is there a typical Gailer student? |
| A: | Gailer students are open-minded, creative individuals. They enjoy being in a small environment that encourages their thoughts and questions. Gailer students enjoy hands-on learning opportunities, as well as in-depth discussions. They are students with a variety of talents, interests and passions. They come to Gailer to be around peers who share their values. |
| Q: | How are Wednesdays different from other days? |
| A: | On Wednesday mornings, students attend one of several Master Classes. These special three-hour classes are taught by prominent community professionals and artists. Recent Master Classes have included Film-Making, Ceramics, Dance, Drawing, Renaissance Painting, Theatre Arts, Computer Programming, and Environmental Science. In the afternoon, students either do volunteer work on a chosen community service project or work with their mentors on independent inquiry projects. The faculty and staff hold departmental meetings and participate in professional development activities. |
| Q: | Can I get there if I don’t live in Middlebury? |
| A: | Students living in the Bristol and New Haven areas ride the ACTR Tri-Town bus to Middlebury. There is also the Rutland Connector, which provides service from downtown Rutland through Pittsford and Brandon on the way to Middlebury.
Other families often make private carpool arrangements. |
| Q: | Where do Gailer students come from? |
| A: | Gailer primarily draws its students from Addison, Chittenden, and Rutland Counties, encompassing a 40 mile radius. international students, who are usually hosted by Gailer families, have come from as far away as Japan and Turkey. |
| Q: | Is scholarship money available? |
| A: | Yes, many of our students receive some level of support based on financial need. |