2020-21 205 Island Avenue | PO Box 4736 Chattanooga, TN 37405 Office 423.634.7600 | Fax 423.634.7682 GPS.edu | CEEB – 430300
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.
COVID-19 STATEMENT During the 2020 spring semester, GPS students and faculty quickly transitioned to a virtual format, continuing our normal school schedule each day and without sacrificing course content. Students participated in both synchronous and asynchronous classes, and we are confident that their grades accurately reflect the work, assignments, and other contributions that they made during online learning. The 2020-21 school year is designed to allow for seamless transition between on-campus and virtual learning, where courses and course content are accessible for all members of our community for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
Dr. R. Kirk Walker Jr. Interim Head of School 423.634.7629 kwalker@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
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 54 girls come from 25 sending schools located within the greater Chattanooga area. Around 43 percent of the 2020-21 student body receives need-based financial aid.
• THE GPS FACULTY includes 69 teachers;
78% hold advanced degrees.
• As seniors, students present a seven-minute CHAPEL TALK at a school-wide assembly,
giving each girl an opportunity to share her view and opinion on the topic of her choosing.
• THE ACADEMIC YEAR is divided into two
semesters; Upper School students attend classes four days a week on campus and one day asynchronously.
• 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. (Due to COVID-19, our
2019-20 AP students were test optional.) 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 on-line 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 onand 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 30 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. New to GPS this year is a dedicated, onsite research lab made possible by a generous gift from an alumna.
• NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, NATIONAL BETA CLUB, AND THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY all recognize outstanding
scholastic achievement. Nine members of the Class of 2020 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 2020 had 9% 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,
CLASS OF 2021 GRADE POINT AVERAGE RANGE
(through junior year)
MEAN GRADE POINT AVERAGE 3.53
McCallie, allows GPS girls the opportunity to experience the social and cocurricular offerings found in a coeducational environment.
• The GPS GARDEN, run by environmental science classes,
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 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* Modern Dance* Dance: Choreography, Performance, Technique Advanced Choreography* Media Arts: Filmmaking* Advanced Photoshop I & II*
CLASS OF 2020 ACT SCORES ACT COMPOSITE................................. 23-29 STUDENTS REPORTING.................... 100% CLASS OF 2020 SAT SCORES EBRW....................................................... 540-660 MATH........................................................ 570-660 COMBINED............................................. 1130-1290 STUDENTS REPORTING.................... 80% 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.
SAT FOR
STUDENTS
2020 ADVANCED PLACEMENT HONORS AP SCHOLARS............................................ 24 AP SCHOLARS WITH HONORS........... 16 AP SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION.... 16 NATIONAL AP SCHOLARS.................... 3 AP CAPSTONE DIPLOMA ...................... 1 2020 ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESULTS GRADE % OF TOTAL 5....................................................................... 25% 4+.................................................................... 41% 3+.................................................................... 27%
Overall, 93% scored a 3 or higher
A T O TA L O F
136
CLASS OF 2021 NATIONAL MERIT RESULTS FINALISTS..................................................... 5 COMMENDED.............................................. 1
17 AP EXAMS 266
PERCENT SCORING 3 OR ABOVE...........93
HONORS CLASSES
ADVANCED PL ACEMENT CL ASSES
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
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)
HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCES Modern World History U.S. History AP U.S. History AP European History AP U.S. Government & Politics AP World History Social Justice* Global Conflicts* U.S. Since 1945* East Asian Studies* INTERDISCIPLINARY ELECTIVES AP Research AP Seminar 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* Introduction to Engineering Design AP Computer Science PHYSICAL EDUCATION Health and Fitness Strength & Conditioning SCIENCE Physics (Honors)** Conceptual Physics AP Physics C Biology (Honors) AP Biology Anatomy & Physiology Chemistry (Honors) AP Chemistry Environmental Science Forensic Science* Marine Science* Neuroscience* WORLD LANGUAGES French I–IV (Honors II–IV) AP French Language Latin I–IV (Honors II–IV) Spanish I–IV (Honors II–III) AP Spanish Language 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.
Appalachian State University (NC) Auburn University (AL) Augusta University (GA) Baylor University (TX) Belmont University (TN) Boston University (MA) Centre College (KY) Clemson University (SC) Coastal Carolina University (SC) Columbus State University (GA) Duke University (NC) East Tennessee State University Fordham University (NY) George Washington University (DC) Georgia Southern University Harvard University (MA)
Howard University (DC) Lee University (TN) Lipscomb University (TN) Louisiana State University Montana State University Northern Kentucky University Nova Southeastern University (FL) Oglethorpe University (GA) Purdue University (IN) Rice University (TX) Samford University (AL) Savannah College of Art & Design (GA) Sewanee University of the South (TN) Southern Illinois University St. Andrews University (NC) Texas Christian University
Texas Tech University Troy University (AL) Tulane University (LA) Union University (TN) University of Alabama University of Alabama Huntsville University of Colorado University of Kansas University of Memphis University of Mississippi University of North Carolina Charlotte University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Tennessee Chattanooga University of Tennessee Knoxville Wake Forest University (NC)
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.