What Makes GBCS Different?
GBCS is different in that we focus on:
- Personalized Learning with student-set goals
- Internship Program Opportunities
- Project-Based Learning
- Competency-Based Assessment
- Smaller Learning Communities
Who should consider Great Bay Charter School?
- Students who 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.
- 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.
A Personalized, Meaningful Experience
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.
Selecting the ideal educational environment for your child is a significant and impactful choice.
School Profile
GBCS is a chartered public school, serving grades K-12, with an annual enrollment of approximately 150 students. The school was chartered by the New Hampshire Board of Education in 2004 and operates with oversight by the Great Bay Charter School Board of Trustees and the New Hampshire Department of Education. As a public school, Great Bay Charter School is open to student applicants from any New Hampshire Community.
The school is located in Exeter, NH, home of approximately 30,000 people. Rich in historical and academic tradition, the town exhibits quiet grace and participates in the cultural wealth of New Hampshire’s Seacoast. Proximity to several cities, including Boston, and near bordering states of Massachusetts and Maine, it is situated in an area with many educational opportunities.
Memberships, Awards and Recognition
Member: New England Secondary School Consortium (NESSC), League of Innovative Schools (LIS), New Hampshire Charter School Association. Awards: Cohort One, NexGen Personalization of Learning School, NESSC, 2015; Named as a Circle of Excellence School by New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, 2014; Named Educational Non-Profit of the Year, 2014 by Exeter, NH Area Chanber of Commerce; Named School of Promise by New Hampshire Excellence in Education Committee, 2008.
We feel strongly that all students need to be prepared for their path after high school, whether that takes them to college, other post-secondary learning programs, or the workforce.
Post-Secondary Program Enrollments
Arcadia College (PA)
Baran Institute of Technology (RI)
Bay State College (MA)
Becker College (MA)
Berklee College of Music (MA)
Burlington College (VT)
Champlain College (VT)
Chester College (NH)
Colby Sawyer College (NH)
Colorado State University (CO)
Cornell College (IA)
Curry College (MA)
DigiPen Institute of Technology (WA)
Duquesne University (PA)
Fitchburg State College (MA)
Franklin Pierce University (NH)
George Mason University (DC)
Goucher College (MD)
Granite State College (NH)
Great Bay Community College (NH)
Green Mountain College (VT)
Hesser College (NH)
Hofstra University (NY)
Jacksonville State University (FL)
Johnson and Wales (RI)
Keene State College (NH)
Kent State University (OH)
Landmark College (VT)
LaSalle College (MA)
Lyndon State College (VT)
Manchester Community College (NH)
Marlboro College (VT)
Marymount Manhattan College (NY)
Montserrat College of Art (MA)
New England College (NH)
New England Culinary Institute (VT)
New Hampshire Institute of Art (NH)
New Hampshire Technical Institute (NH)
North Shore Community College (MA)
Northern Essex Community College (MA)
Ohio Wesleyan University (OH)
Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Plymouth State University (NH)
St. Anslem College (NH)
Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
Southern Vermont College (VT)
Unity College (ME)
University of Maine, Presque Isle (ME)
University of New England (ME)
University of New Hampshire (NH)
University of Rochester (NY)
University of Southern Maine (ME)
University of Vermont (VT)
York Community College (ME)
Warren Wilson State College (CO)
Western State College (CO)
White Mountain State College (NH)
Reviews
“GBCS has been life changing for my children who learn much better in a hands-on, project-based way. Classes are small and each and every teacher is able to get to know their students on an individual level. Teachers go above and beyond for the students in ways that I have never seen. For once my kids love going to school! Our family has had nothing but positive experiences!”
— GBCS Parent
“Working at GBCS allows us to be authentically ourselves as educators which in turn allows students to be authentically themselves. I love how student centered we are, and how we all have a shared commitment to break down the barriers that have kept our students from success in the past.”
— Katy Devine, Current GBCS Teacher
“I loved the family-like community and having more creative freedom with projects and class work.”
— Abby Sharpe, GBCS Alum
“The smaller size of the school makes for a much more community feel and great interaction with the student body and staff overall. Can’t recommend this school enough!”
— GBCS Parent
“We are able to allow students to be true to themselves. We have the opportunity to teach to the brain and to each student. It is also a lot of fun and each day is completely different from the previous.”
— Anna Furlone, Current GBCS Teacher
“All the difference is made from all the people who care the most, Deep life impact goals, and an environment to allow growth and positive development.”
— Moses Strout, Current GBCS Teacher