The curriculum is a rigorous one, and students are challenged in a variety of ways by a broad range of course offerings. Multi-sensory learning is a priority, so that each student may use his or her strengths as an avenue to learning. It is our goal to build confidence, foster intellectual curiosity, and provide for the experience of success for all students. Graduates of Grace enter leading independent schools, boarding schools, or the specialized public high schools. Upon completion of Grade Eight, a graduate has been thoroughly prepared in English and mathematics (through algebra), foreign languages (French, Spanish or Latin), science and history. Small class size ensures individual attention in all three divisions.
      Community is powerful at Grace. The school aims to balance academic competence with the development of character and sound social values. Students are expected to be socially responsible members of a caring community. Students in Grades Three through Eight attend classes in Bible, ethics, or world religions. Community service for Grades Five through Eight stresses the importance of serving others and the world we share.  Weekly chapel services, conducted by the Head, division heads, or the school Chaplain, provide time for common reflection. Guest speakers, often representing other religions, are invited to the school regularly.

Please follow any of the departmental links immediately to the left for a detailed background on all of our academic courses and for grade specific curriculum and classroom projects.

Technology
      The Technology Department provides students with a foundation of computer skills that will support and enhance lifelong learning experiences. Computer instruction is integrated with the school’s course of study and includes age-appropriate mastery of programming and use of tools, with an emphasis on digital research, multimedia presentation and Internet navigation. Every classroom has Internet access and is part of a school-wide network. 

     Members of the technology department work with faculty to provide technological options and to assist them in designing a curriculum that involves the use of technology. The school’s wireless network turns every classroom into a computer lab, allowing students to work on specific projects related to the curriculum. The Robert Lehman Digital Arts Center is designed to integrate digital technology, academics and the arts for inter-departmental projects across the curriculum. Computer classes are also available to the parent body and through the Grace After School Program.

The Arts
       The arts are essential to the education of Grace Church School students. The Arts Department provides a comprehensive arts education program with classes in visual art, dance, music and drama at all grade levels. This integrated curriculum provides avenues for self-expression and the opportunity to learn skills that encourage individual thought.
       In Grace Church School’s Robert Lehman Curriculum in the Visual Arts, children learn to use craypas, tempera, clay and papier-mâché. As children move through the curriculum, the media expand to include experiences in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics. Along with free-choice painting, students create portraits, abstract works, pictures of animals, people, plants and cityscapes. In addition, children work collaboratively on large-scale pieces. Formal concepts such as perspective, composition and contrast are introduced in the later years. Ceramic work progresses from pottery to highly original sculptures, glazed and fired in the school’s kilns.
      Music education, including vocal and instrumental instruction, is taught from Junior Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Beginning in Grade Three, each student plays a recorder; in Grade Four, students may elect to study flute, violin or cello. Children in Grades Four and Five who do not choose to study an instrument become members of the GCS Chorus and sixth, seventh and eighth graders may choose to join the GCS Singers. Both singing groups perform regularly throughout the year. Children in Grades Three through Eight are eligible to audition for the Grace Church Boys’ Choir and Girls’ Choir.
      Drama is introduced through classroom productions in the Lower School. Upper School students study techniques of performance and learn about the origin and styles of theater in their own as well as in other cultures. Major theatrical productions are staged each semester and are open to students in Grades Six through Eight. Children in the Early Childhood Division attend music and movement class twice a week. In these classes they learn songs and dances and begin to explore rhythm and tempo. Lower School dance builds on the foundation of the Early Childhood program, as children begin to create their own choreography. In both divisions, units of tap and folk dance are offered and performances are regularly scheduled throughout the year.
      Using New York City as a cultural resource, classes regularly visit museums, galleries and architectural sites, and attend performances of theater and dance.

Physical Education and Athletics
      Physical education at Grace is an integral part of a broad and balanced curriculum that includes a varied program of instruction and interscholastic sports. Each student participates in a full program of physical education, from basic skills developed through non-competitive games in Early Childhood and Lower School to varsity sports in Upper School.

     Throwing, catching and movement skills are consistently developed from Junior Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Games and activities gradually become more challenging, both in the skills required and in the rules and level of cooperation necessary to be successful. Providing consistent and realistic expectations helps students establish confidence in themselves and their abilities.
      The interscholastic program begins in Grade Six with varsity and junior varsity teams which compete with other independent schools. Team sports include soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball. Grace has two gyms: a full-sized athletic center that is used by Grade Two through Grade Eight and a smaller one that the younger children and the afterschool program utilize. There is an outdoor play yard providing space for both recess and classes. The sports teams also use the fields of East River Park and other nearby sports facilities.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Grace After School Program
The Grace After School Program (GASP) is designed to provide a natural extension of the school day in the safe, secure and structured environment of the school. Qualified instructors teach classes that include sports, drama, drawing, ceramics, dance, cooking, filmmaking and other age-appropriate activities. In addition to regularly scheduled
classes, a supervised playgroup is also available. The program is scheduled each Monday through Friday from dismissal until 5:30 p.m. and a light snack is provided. A full description of the program is found in the Grace After School Program brochure that is available at the beginning of each semester.

June School
June School is an optional program open to children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Five. The program runs during the week following graduation and is staffed by members of the school faculty. Children bring their own lunch and participate in a variety of activities such as computer, music, art, swimming, bowling and physical education. June School is an excellent introduction to school life for children who will be enrolled at GCS for the first time. It gives them an opportunity to establish friendships, meet children their own age, and become acquainted with GCS prior to the beginning of the academic year.

These optional programs are available for an additional charge. Financial assistance is available for all of the special programs.