Mission and Philosophy

The Gailer School Mission

Gailer's mission is to inspire students to love learning and become insightful world citizens. This mission is underscored by our core values of mutual respect, intellectual challenge, creative expression, service, diversity and high expectations in a college preparatory environment.

Coalition of Essential Schools

We are proud to be the first school in Vermont to join the Coalition of Essential Schools, a national force for educational reform that offers a forum among schools with similar educational beliefs. We strive to put the Coalition's Ten Common Principles into practice daily.

Help students use their minds well. Memorization and repetition aren't enough. Essential questions and complex research projects help Gailer students learn to think broadly, critically and creatively.

Emphasize depth over breadth. Our curricular decisions are guided by the aim of true understanding, not mere coverage of content.

Apply goals to all students. Every student learns differently. Our teachers set high standards that students can meet by following their own paths.

Personalize teaching and learning. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1 and an average of 10 students per class, teachers know when a student is engaged, struggling or challenged.

Emphasize the metaphor 'student-as-worker.' Like an athletic or drama coach, Gailer teachers guide, focus, inform and evaluate. Our students, like the players on a team, are the ones responsible for doing the work.

Require students to demonstrate mastery through exhibition. We augment tests with projects and presentations, which not only demonstrate deep learning, but also allow students to become confident public speakers and good collaborators.

Stress unanxious expectation, trust and decency. Our 'informally respectful' community allows each student to strive for the best, to take risks, make mistakes and work honestly.

Consider teachers as generalists with a commitment to the entire school. Our teachers teach across academic disciplines, asking questions and assigning projects that stretch beyond traditional boundaries.

Develop budgets that reflect these priorities. The administration is committed to attracting the best teachers to our classrooms, and to supporting their professional development.

Model democratic and equitable practices. Teachers, students and administrators work to enact inclusive policies and practices that build on the strengths of our community.