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.

On average, two to two-and-ahalf hours of homework are given daily, including reading, creative writing, group efforts, research papers, essays, art projects and primary source-based histories.

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.

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.

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.

Gailer operates a school bus along the Route 7 corridor from Burlington to Middlebury. This service is provided at no charge to Gailer families. A separate van transports students from various points east of the Route 7 corridor (Essex, Jericho, Hinesburg, St. George, and others) to meet the primary Gailer bus in Charlotte. Students living in the Bristol and New Haven areas ride the ACTR Tri-Town bus to Middlebury. Other families often make private carpool arrangements.

Gailer draws from a 40-mile radius. Students come primarily from Addison, Chittenden, and Rutland Counties. Each year the school admits from one to four international students, who are usually hosted by Gailer families.

Yes, many of our students receive some level of support based on financial need.