205 Island Avenue | PO Box 4736 Chattanooga, TN 37405 Office 423.634.7600 | Fax 423.634.7682 GPS.edu | CEEB – 430300
Dr. Autumn A. Graves Head of School 423.634.7629 agraves@gps.edu
Jenise Gordon Head of Upper School 423.634.7613 jgordon@gps.edu
Susan McCarter Director of College Counseling 423.634.7625 smccarter@gps.edu
Amelia Mann Assoc. Director of College Counseling 423.634.5441 amann@gps.edu
Karen Richards Administrative Assistant 423.634.7624 krichards@gps.edu
GPS MISSION STATEMENT Girls Preparatory School inspires each girl to lead a life of integrity and purpose by engaging her mind, cultivating her strengths, and nurturing her self-confidence and respect for others. `
THE SCHOOL At a time when girls were not afforded the same college preparatory education as boys, three visionary female school teachers started Girls Preparatory School. More than 110 years later, the stories and the trajectory of the lives of thousands of girls have been written and modeled because of the tenacity of the three Founders, who were not only educators but also resourceful social entrepreneurs. With support from their GPS sisters, teachers, coaches, and counselors, girls are free to discover their passions in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage. From being first in the community to provide girls opportunities for sports, such as golf and lacrosse, to hosting all-girl entrepreneurial events and special speakers, GPS remains committed to its initial resolve to provide an environment where everything begins and ends with what is best for girls. While GPS has evolved and grown since 1906, one constant remains: a passion and commitment for preparing girls—in mind, body, and spirit—for college and for life. • GPS values are HONOR, RESPECT, CURIOSITY, INDIVIDUALITY, and RELATIONSHIPS. • ADMISSION to GPS is selective. The current sixth-grade class of 69 girls come from 32 sending
schools located within the greater Chattanooga area. Nearly 40 percent of the 2019-20 student body receives need-based aid.
• THE GPS FACULTY includes 58 teachers; 79% hold advanced degrees. • As seniors, students present a seven-minute CHAPEL TALK at a school-wide assembly, giving
each student an opportunity to share her view and opinion on the topic of her choosing.
• THE ACADEMIC YEAR is divided into two semesters; each class meets four times each week. •
GPS offers 21 ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDITS and 17 HONORS CLASSES. Students must be recommended to take an AP course and are required to sit for the exam. Our unique schedule may prohibit students from enrolling in all courses for which they are eligible. • All GPS students sign an HONOR CODE that states they will not lie, cheat, or
steal, nor allow those behaviors by others—on campus, off campus, and online. The purpose of the Honor Code is to help our girls lead lives of integrity by respecting themselves, each other, and their community while also keeping our campus safe; there are no locks on lockers. The Honor Council is student-led. • By partnering with ONE SCHOOLHOUSE, GPS is able to provide students with a range of online options. One Schoolhouse is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
• GPS fosters a robust ALUMNAE network. Former students contribute generously to the school’s IMPACT FUND, meet regularly via on- and off-campus events, and serve as mentors to our current student body.
GPS PROGRAMS • TUCKER RIVER FELLOWS is a non-graded elective
that requires a three-year commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship about the local watershed and the historical and ecological importance of the Tennessee River. Students must apply and a limited number are selected for the program. At the conclusion of the program, students may continue in a mentorship role for younger students.
• PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY (PIC) is the
GRADE SCALE, WEIGHTED ACADEMIC AVERAGE AND CLASS RANK Grade point average is computed with the following numerical equivalents: A+ = 4.3 (elevation only)
B- = 2.7 (80-82)
A = 4.0 (94-100)
C+ = 2.3 (77-79)
A- = 3.7 (90-93)
C = 2.0 (73-76)
B+ = 3.3 (87-89)
C- = 1.7 (70-72)
B = 3.0 (83-86)
F = 0.0 (below 70)
The transcript reflects a one-third letter grade weight for honors and AP courses. This weight is also included in the cumulative grade point average. GPS does not rank its students.
umbrella service organization at GPS. Our students partner with 35 organizations in the greater Chattanooga community, serving on committees (Habitat, Mayor’s Youth Council), and attending policy meetings with city officials in addition to preparing meals, tutoring at-risk students, staffing first-aid stations at IRONMAN competitions, and more.
• In February, all GPS students participate in WINTERIM and
may choose from a variety of on- and off-campus learning opportunities. Upper School students may travel abroad to exotic locales such as India, Chile, or Japan or take a domestic trip to a dude ranch or dog-sledding lodge. Some may elect to stay on campus to learn about local culture, take college test prep classes, or even film their own documentaries.
• A highly competitive program, a very select group of GPS
juniors conduct research with a science professor through our UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA RESEARCH PROGRAM. Most recently, students conducted experiments and collected data on the impact of various conditions on the alkaloid production in ladybugs and were listed in the paper presented at the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Association.
• NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AND THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY both recognize outstanding scholastic achievement.
Nine members of the Class of 2019 were inducted into The Cum Laude Society the spring of their senior year.
• GPS offers 15 VARSITY SPORTS: volleyball, soccer,
climbing, cross country, golf, basketball, swimming, diving, bowling, cheerleading, lacrosse, tennis, softball, rowing, and track and field. The Class of 2019 had 13% sign to continue their sport at the college level.
• THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT produces a full-scale
Broadway musical each spring. Recent performances include Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins, and Pippin.
• Our COORDINATE PROGRAM with our brother school,
McCallie, allows GPS girls the opportunity to experience the social and cocurricular offerings found in a coeducational environment.
CLASS OF 2020 GRADE POINT AVERAGE RANGE
(through junior year)
MEAN GRADE POINT AVERAGE 3.5
• The student-run GPS GARDEN has grown and harvested more
than three tons of food for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
ENGLISH English 9 English 9 (Honors) English 10 English 10 (Honors) English 11 – American English 12 AP English Language AP English Literature SCIENCE Physics (Honors)** Conceptual Physics AP Physics C Biology (Honors) AP Biology Anatomy & Physiology Chemistry (Honors) AP Chemistry Environmental Science Forensic Science* Global Scientific Issues* Marine Science* Neuroscience*
CLASS OF 2019 ACT SCORES ACT COMPOSITE................................. 23-29 STUDENTS REPORTING.................... 98% CLASS OF 2019 SAT SCORES EBRW....................................................... 590-680 MATH........................................................ 530-630 COMBINED............................................. 1120-1320 STUDENTS REPORTING.................... 76% AP STATEMENT: Courses with an AP/Honors
designation indicates the highest level of work. Beginning in the eighth grade, enrollment in an AP/Honors course is determined by departmental approval. In keeping with our dedication to educating girls in a developmentally appropriate way, consideration is also given to the number of advanced courses a student can successfully carry while maintaining a healthy balance of extracurricular activities. Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the exam. CLASS OF 2020 NATIONAL MERIT RESULTS FINALISTS..................................................... 1 COMMENDED.............................................. 5 2019 ADVANCED PLACEMENT HONORS AP SCHOLARS............................................ 20 AP SCHOLARS WITH HONORS........... 9 AP SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION.... 19 NATIONAL AP SCHOLARS.................... 3 2019 ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESULTS GRADE % OF TOTAL 5....................................................................... 26% 4+.................................................................... 32% 3+.................................................................... 31%
A T O TA L O F
116 223
STUDENTS SAT FOR
AP EXAMS
17CLASSES
Overall, 89% scored a 3 or higher
HONORS
CLASSES
21
CURRENT GPS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ENGLISH
4 CREDITS
Required each semester
MATHEMATICS
4 CREDITS
Must complete through Algebra II with one additional year
WORLD LANGUAGES
3 CREDITS
Through Level III of same language
SCIENCE*
3 CREDITS
Biology, chemistry, one additional year
HISTORY*
3 CREDITS
Modern World History, U.S. History, one additional year
RELIGION
0.5 CREDIT
FINE ARTS
1 CREDIT
2 CREDITS ELECTIVES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1 CREDIT
TOTAL REQUIRED:
21.5 credits
HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCES Modern World History (Honors) US History AP US History AP European History AP US Government & Politics AP World History Social Justice* Progressive Era* Global Conflicts* Liberty and Totalitarianism* US Since 1945* East Asian Studies* PHYSICAL EDUCATION Health and Fitness
PERCENT SCORING 3 OR ABOVE...........89
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
WORLD LANGUAGES French I–IV (Honors II–IV) AP French Language Latin I–III (Honors II–III) Spanish I–IV (Honors II–III) AP Spanish Language
A computer science course may be substituted for one of these areas Any course beyond graduation requirements Taken during freshman and sophomore years (0.5 credit per year)
MATHEMATICS Algebra I (Accelerated, Honors) Geometry (Accelerated, Honors) Algebra II Algebra II & Trigonometry (Accelerated, Honors) Advanced Algebra Topics* Trigonometry* Pre-Calculus (Accelerated, Honors) Calculus AP Calculus (AB & BC) AP Statistics Statistics* Finite Mathematics* Introduction to Programming* Engineering Design I & II* AP Computer Science FINE ARTS Art I & II* Art III Ceramics I & II* Sculpture I & II* College Portfolio AP Studio Drawing AP Art 2D and 3D AP Art History Senior Orchestra GPS Singers Graphic Design I & II* Theater Studio I-IV* Tech. Theater* Modern Dance* Advanced Choreography* Terpsichord* Public Speaking* Media Arts: Filmmaking* Advanced Photoshop I & II* INTERDISCIPLINARY ELECTIVES AP Research AP Seminar RELIGION ELECTIVES (1 SEMESTER IS REQUIRED) History of Christianity* Biblical Ethics* World Religions* *Indicates a semester course **Honors Physics is modeled after the former AP Physics B, which was divided into two separate one-year courses. Selected topics now covered in AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 are studied. Students have the opportunity to take the AP Physics 1 exam, if they choose.
University of Alabama Birmingham The University of Alabama American University (D.C.) Allegheny College (PA) Auburn University (AL) Belmont University (TN) Berry College (GA) Brandeis University (MA) Brigham Young University Idaho Brown University (RI) Colorado College Dartmouth College (NH) University of Detroit Mercy (MI) Emory University (GA) Furman University (SC) George Washington University (D.C.) University of Georgia
Georgia Southern University Huntingdon College (AL) Jacksonville University (FL) Kennesaw State University (GA) University of Kentucky Lee University (TN) Loyola University Chicago (IL) Marietta College (OH) Marquette University (WI) Miami University (OH) Middle Tennessee State University Mississippi State University University of Mississippi Occidental College (CA) Oglethorpe University (GA) University of Oregon Purdue University (IN)
Rhodes College (TN) Rose-Hulman Institute of Tech (IN) Samford University (AL) Savannah College of Art & Design (GA) University of Southern California University of Tampa (FL) University of Tennessee, Chattanooga University of Tennessee, Knoxville Tennessee Tech University Texas Christian University University of South Carolina Vanderbilt University (TN) University of Virginia Washington & Lee University (VA) Wofford College (SC) University of Wyoming
GPS COLLEGE GRADUATES F RO M T H E C L ASS E S O F 2 01 1 -1 4
90%
graduated IN
four YEARS 90% OR FEWER
COMPLETED
COLLEGE AT THEIR
ORIGINAL INSTITUTION (DID NOT TRANSFER) THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
for WOMEN is 48% *nscresearchcenter.org
ACCREDITATION GPS is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and holds membership in the National and Tennessee Associations of Independent Schools, the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, the College Board, and the National and Southern Associations for College Admissions Counseling. GPS will report to colleges any record of academic or behavior misconduct resulting in an out-of-school suspension.