This article was provided by Garrison Forest School.
Tucked away in picturesque Greenspring Valley but conveniently located off of Reisterstown Road, Garrison Forest School (GFS) has been providing a high-quality educational experience for more than 110 years. GFS offers an all-girls’ program in grades K-12, with a co-ed Preschool and a boarding program for grades 8-12.
As they search for the right-fit school for their child, many parents discover that GFS offers a supportive community, enriching academics and caring environment where their child can thrive. Here are just some of the reasons GFS might be the right place for your family:
1. Space to Explore
Students find plenty of room to explore and learn on GFS’s 110-acre campus. Tree-lined walkways provide a scenic backdrop, while younger students have fun, tend a garden, play music or conduct scientific observations in the outdoor classroom space. The campus pond can be a place for scientific research, sketching or just reflecting. Throughout the divisions, environmental stewardship is an important piece of the educational philosophy.
2. Financial Literacy in the Lower School
Since 2015, the unique Financial Literacy curriculum in the Lower School has taught students the importance of becoming financially competent and confident. The program includes presentations by banking professionals, authors and financial experts; learning about the stock market and participating in the Stock Market Game, where teams of students are given $100,000 virtual dollars to invest in the stock market, then track their portfolios throughout the year; and even an on-campus branch of M&T Bank with Fourth Graders serving as tellers as they learn more about the banking industry.
3. Signature Programs in the Middle School
The Middle School at GFS provides opportunities for students to explore and expand their interests, develop leadership and critical thinking skills while gaining a better understanding of the community around them. Each grade, from Sixth through Eighth, follows an immersive curriculum built around exploration and growing their skills in a supportive environment. Last year, two new initiatives included the Women of Impact Speaker Series for Seventh Grade and the Aspiring Leaders Program for the Sixth Grade.
Women of Impact brings GFS alumnae to campus to share their career journeys, as students learn more about what it means to be a leader in various fields and industries. Students reflect on their own leadership styles and think about how they can be a part of positive changes in their community. Aspiring Leaders Program participants develop and practice leadership skills and learn from other leaders in and around our community, with a focus on service.
Other key programs include: RISE (Research, Innovation and Scientific Exploration), which partners Sixth Graders with educators at the nearby Irvine Nature Center to conduct authentic research; Project Innovate, which challenges Seventh Graders to identify issues, conduct research, devise innovative solutions and deliver their findings in a “Shark Tank”-style presentation to a panel of administrators; and Capstone, a semester-long course that empowers Eighth Graders to explore their passions through personal reflection and intentional, in-depth research.
4. The Gateway to Success in STEM, Global Citizenship and Design
Last year, the GFS Upper School introduced the Global Gateway Scholars Program, an opportunity for Upper School students with a special interest in Global Citizenship, STEM or Visual Art and Design to craft a distinct curricular and co-curricular path. Supported by a network of on- and off-campus mentors, each Gateway Scholar creates an immersive learning program designed to challenge them, enrich their experience, deepen their understanding and document their process of discovery.
Within each track, the program combines required coursework designed to build fluency with a wide selection of co-curricular and experiential learning options. Students will work with advisors to create the combination of requirements that will be most interesting and meaningful for each student’s individual path. Finally, each track culminates in the creation of a portfolio meant to encapsulate their learning and experiences throughout the program and in certification in their chosen areas of focus.
5. Welcoming Global Community
The Residential Life program at GFS welcomes students from the United States and around the world to live on campus. The boarding experience is fully integrated into the school’s educational philosophy, with a strong program that prioritizes character development, global competency and wellness. Supported by a caring network of faculty who also live on campus, boarding students gain independence and confidence as they learn about and from one another. Weekly programming doesn’t end at shopping trips and fun outings (although those are offered as well!); as boarders, students participate in a residential curriculum that continues their personal growth and offers unique leadership opportunities. Living and leading in the residence halls is an unparalleled way to not only develop a sense of self, but gain many of the soft skills needed in life.
6. Reaching New Heights with Riding and Polo
GFS provides a wide range of equestrian options, including robust riding and polo programs. The Garrison Forest Riding Program is designed to provide riders of all ages and levels a place to grow their skills and confidence. From Lower Schoolers learning the basics to our riding teams who compete at the highest levels nationally, our caring and skilled faculty are dedicated to providing a safe, fun, challenging and rewarding experience for every rider. In addition, GFS is the only girls’ school in the United States to offer Polo. Since the late 1970s, when GFS’s polo program was founded, GFS teams have been playing against coed and all-male teams across the country. This fast-paced game puts skill, riding, strategy and teamwork to the test.
7. Fun Foundations in Coed Preschool
In the Garrison Forest Preschool, the youngest learners develop a love of learning through hands-on activities and exploration of the campus. The Preschool program focuses on the cognitive, social, physical and emotional development of each child in a joyful environment. With flexible options for ages two through PreKindergarten, the GFS preschool provides a strong beginning for every child to grow into a compassionate, confident learner and leader!
Learn more about the full Garrison Forest School experience at gfs.org. Or, plan a visit at gfs.org/visit.
The donation will be directed to help foster research conducted by faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and to advance innovative treatments.
Scholar Izabella Tabarovsky will speak at the “Generations of Courage” program on Apr. 26 at The Associated's Goldsmith campus.
A Baltimore native and Pikesville resident, Freedman had the distinction of being the longest-serving employee in the history of the State of Maryland.
House Bill 661 is the culmination of a collaborative effort led by Del. Sarah S. Wolek (D-16th), Del. Jared S. Solomon (D-18th) and Sen. Shelly L. Hettleman (D-11th).