What Makes Great Bay Charter School Different?
Great Bay Charter School (GBCS) blends differentiated classroom instructional strategies and a project-based approach to instruction and other means to extend learning beyond the wall of the classroom. Students work individually and collaboratively to show the products of their learning. Our school emphasizes writing across the curriculum strategies from the Collins Writing Program and incorporates the every day assessment of learning into the Collins Five Types of Writing.
Students will engage in a rich, differentiated program that emphasizes the depth of knowledge needed to solve “real world” problems. Students who attend Great Bay Charter School will find themselves participating in a project-based curriculum aligned with New Hampshire Grade Span Expectations and Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Not constrained by the limitations of traditional comprehensive high school curriculum, teachers at Great Bay Charter School are free to facilitate instruction based on student interest, learning and thinking styles, and student-developed action plans.
Our school will embark this spring on the development and implementation of a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) for each student. Each plan will be developed by our students’ PLP team–parent(s), student, advisor, and other invited participants. The PLP will focus on the following questions: Who am I (as a learner)? What are my goals and aspirations? How is/has my progress (been)? What might my program look like for next year?
GBCS is different in that we focus on:
- Project-Based Learning
- Competency-Based Assessment
- Smaller Learning Communities
- Personalized Learning along with Internship Program Opportunities
Who should consider Great Bay Charter School?
- Students who are clearly interested in pursuing post-secondary school options. GBCS prepares students for and expects every prospective graduate to apply to post-secondary programs in their final year.
- Students who would benefit by having flexibility in their learning program. This flexibility could come from internships, personalized learning plans, or simply allowing them to demonstrate their learning proficiency in varied ways.
- Students who are academically capable and are seeking a different environment or struggling to show what they know/can do in traditional ways. Students must be willing to engage in project work to demonstrate their learning.
- Students may or may not be thriving in the traditional classroom setting due to any number of individual challenges. These might be related to school/class size, rigidity of program, lack of curricular connection to student interests, attendance, etc.
A Personalized, Meaningful Experience
Welcome to the Great Bay Charter School Family! Many students report to us that they felt anonymous or disconnected at their previous school. With the goal of personalizing the educational experience for each student, the Great Bay Charter School has created many structures to make each student’s experience as personalized and meaningful as possible.
Personalization takes on many forms. It can be as simple as putting a personal twist on a project as discussed with your teacher, or alternative learning opportunities pursued throughout school. The key to personalization is FLEXIBILITY. If we can make it happen, we are willing to try. Students often propose and participate in alternative learning opportunities ranging from outside programs like dance, fitness, martial arts, Seacoast School of Technology programs, dual enrollment, college classes, or online learning. We are also very interested in the various internship ideas our students consider.
For more information, including Special Education at GBCS, please click here
Apply To gbcs
GBCS Application Information Grades 6-12
GBCS Application Information Grades K-5
Great Bay Charter School Student Application Materials 2024-2025 pdf
Great Bay Charter School Student Application Materials 2024-2025
Student enrollment for the fall is currently on a space-available basis depending on the grade. Please contact us (603) 519-9003 to inquire about current availability.
Admission Process: The admission process will include a review of the information included in the student application materials and a student/parent interview meeting. Essentially, this process is designed to get to know each other. It is an opportunity for both family/student and school to determine the student’s potential for success at Great Bay Charter School, the student’s potential to contribute positively to the learning community, and whether the school’s programs and the student’s individual academic needs are aligned. Some students discover through the application process that the programs at GBCS are not a good academic or social fit for them. The process provides access to information and multiple opportunities to seek answers to questions that arise. Should there be more applicants than available openings, we are required by statute to conduct a lottery to determine acceptance for open slots.
Residence: Eligible students must be residents of New Hampshire or, if residing outside NH, willing to pay tuition.
Admissions Procedure: The student application can be downloaded or requested and sent via mail. The completed application should be delivered in person, by mail, or by fax to the following address:
Great Bay Charter School
30 Linden Street
Exeter NH 03833
Fax: 603-519-9003
Email: info@gbecs.org
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Notice of Non-Discrimination
Great Bay Charter School (GBCS) does not discriminate in its education programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability as defined in current law.
Any person having inquiries concerning compliance with the regulations implementing these laws may contact Executive Director, Peter Stackhouse (603)-519-9003 or the Chair of the GBCS Board of Trustees.
Welcome to GBCS! 