GDS Value Added

Part of our re-accreditation process with SAIS includes a dinner in which we invite students, parents, board members, teachers and administrators to sit a mixed tables for discussion.

I wish we could have such a gathering every night! It was like the perfect family meal where everyone jumps in with a story and tells about what they learned or did during the day. It was an incredible opportunity to hear from so many different viewpoints about what makes GDS a special place to be as a student, parent, board member or on the staff.

I was particularly impressed with the senior student at our table. She was articulate and clear about both the academic advantages and social connections that she had gained since enrolling. When asked what she thought the "value added" was to a GDS education she didn't hesitate to say that it was the day-to-day interactions with other students who were as inspired and determined as she was to do well. She described study groups that formed in her classes, teachers who held high but reasonable expectations and the many opportunities to be involved in clubs and to take leadership positions.

Most impressively, when asked how we could communicate the "value added" component of a GDS education, she quickly volunteered, "Just video tap any of us, and we will tell you!"

So, I'm dropping in a video that tells the story of two of our graduates, Jake Keeley who is now a sophomore at St. Olaf, and Katie Glaser who is now a sophomore at Georgetown.  Enjoy!