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- High
- School
On the cusp of adulthood, our high schoolers hone their gifts, commit themselves to others, and prepare to enter the great conversations of life.
That’s why we cultivate an environment of active engagement and purposeful exploration, so our students are prepared to thrive in the classroom, in college, and beyond. Students can shape their program and explore multiple opportunities for academic challenge in a curriculum that features advanced courses in nearly all disciplines. Combine that with our dynamic social landscape offering more than 75 student-run clubs and activities—it's no wonder GDS kids are multi-dimensional achievers and community members, self-starters and collaborators, athletes and artists, destined to excel as individuals and as agents of change.
By the Numbers
500
Students in High School
8:1
Student to Teacher Ratio
123
Courses Offered at the High School
1:1
9th graders all receive their own graphing calculator
60%
team sports participation each season
Signature Programs
Our Community
Community counts at the High School. First Friday celebrations in September and a surprise Community Day in May are bookends of the year, highlighting our genuine love of spending time together.
CONSENT SUMMIT
The student-directed Summit on Sexual Assault and Consent brings together students, teachers, and parents from around the country for conversations about change and support for survivors. Learn More »
Minimester
Minimester is a multi-day dive into topics designed to be immersive, experiential learning experiences without the confines of traditional schooling. Learn More »
Social Justice
Every February, our students participate in—and often lead—activities to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. during our MLK Social Justice Teach-in Days. Learn More »
STEAM
Our STEAM Conference brings students and faculty from regional schools together to discuss and participate in STEAM education, focusing on promoting engagement of underrepresented groups. Learn More »
Health & Wellness
Health Fair is a combination event that features fitness competitions and showcases health and wellness research projects from the 10th grade Physical Education program.
Student Identity & Voice
During the annual High School Identity Art Show, student artwork tells powerful, personal narratives. Learn More »
POLICY & ADVOCACY INSTITUTE
For four weeks during June and July, students learn about pressing social justice issues, such as veteran homelessness and affordable housing. Learn More »
Student-led Clubs & Activities
- Nationally renowned Debate Team
- Award-winning student-run newspaper, The Augur Bit
- Student choreographed and performed dance troop, Fata Morgana
- Student-created school store, which supports a different nonprofit monthly, The Hop Shop
Academic Highlights
- Advanced study is offered across all disciplines, including the opportunity for independent study. GDS encourages all students to pursue their individual passions while exploring our diverse curriculum.
- GDS will phase out AP classes over the next three years. We have committed to ending classes with the AP designation by 2022, in order to engage students in curriculum focused on authentic learning, cutting-edge research, and interdisciplinary explorations.
- The Ninth Grade Seminar - Diversity and Equity: The Intersections of Identity focuses on identity and points of connections within groups.
- All seniors participate in Senior Quest, or investigation, in which they apply their curiosity, talents, interests, skills, and knowledge to a question, task, creation, or issue of relevance to the student in particular as well as to a significant constituency outside of the GDS community.
- Each student benefits from a small group advisory, where they develop connections with students and their advisor. The advisor serves as the primary point of contact for the student and family on all matters.
- The High School Innovation and Technology program offers electives catering to a wide range of abilities and experiences. These engaging, hands-on, challenge-based programs are designed to be meaningful, relevant, and truly fun. In GDS’s Maker Spaces and innovation laboratories, students self-direct, using both contemporary and traditional fabrication tools with the guidance of a High School Maker in Residence and computer science teachers.
- Our three full-time college counselors work with each GDS student to support them throughout the college process.
Our Stories
![Group photo of students in matching shirts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575580975/gdsorg/musvcldzagxuav8gp0ym/20191205_Consent_Summit_2019_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575580975/gdsorg/musvcldzagxuav8gp0ym/20191205_Consent_Summit_2019_1.jpg","width":500}])
GDS leads the way for critical culture change around sexual assault and consent.
![Students in an office on Capitol Hill]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574427980/gdsorg/jhp13ptskze0azf9g4xp/20191122_Taking_Action.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574427980/gdsorg/jhp13ptskze0azf9g4xp/20191122_Taking_Action.jpg","width":500}])
Anoushka Chander ’21 and the GDS Student Action Committee move our country forward.
![Play On]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574437738/gdsorg/fs7qyvjhctftvi1rrgvl/20191121_12th_Night_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574437738/gdsorg/fs7qyvjhctftvi1rrgvl/20191121_12th_Night_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
Twelfth Night delivers bawdy humor, jazz-funk, and much needed empathy.
![The Magic of The Policy Institute]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574436306/gdsorg/bjyysybigdkhnbmtkk0v/20191119_The_Magic_of_The_Policy_Institute_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574436306/gdsorg/bjyysybigdkhnbmtkk0v/20191119_The_Magic_of_The_Policy_Institute_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
- Hopper Effect Blog
All day long, my cell phone thrums with the texts of nine juniors and seniors. Questions, quips, emojis, links, the messages keep coming and chirp late into the night...
![Young Adult Literature Conference: Books for the Beast]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574283053/gdsorg/t0i13bvagqztzgbncp5e/Young_Adult_Literature_Conference_Books_for_the_Beast_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574283053/gdsorg/t0i13bvagqztzgbncp5e/Young_Adult_Literature_Conference_Books_for_the_Beast_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
- Hopper Effect Blog
On Saturday, October 27, two buses full of tired and exhilarated GDS High School students arrived back on campus at 5:15 p.m...
![Investing in a Private School Education: Demystifying Financial Aid]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574364879/gdsorg/g6vzfkhzd9znmcm30ql6/20191115_Investing_in_a_Private_School_Education_Demystifying_Financial_Aid_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574364879/gdsorg/g6vzfkhzd9znmcm30ql6/20191115_Investing_in_a_Private_School_Education_Demystifying_Financial_Aid_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
- Hopper Effect Blog
In the process of selling the value proposition of independent schools, a question I face—and fret about—quite often is, “How much does your school cost?”
Important Dates
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High School
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High School: Black Box
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High School Library
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High School: Black Box
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Meet the High School Office
Christopher Levy
Assistant Principal for Academics; High School Science Teacher
School:
202-274-3263
Tenley Peterson
My children have grown into confident, capable, and accomplished young people who are willing to ask questions, challenge popular beliefs, and look for ways to make the world better for those around them.GDS Parent '15 & '23
Tenley Peterson
We've always loved GDS, but only now truly appreciate the value of a well-rounded GDS education after our son went to college and has to handle himself in the real world.Parent of '17 & '21
Tenley Peterson
My writing is light years ahead of my peers, which is largely due to GDS.Alum '98
Tenley Peterson
My son was well-prepared for college thanks to his years at Georgetown Day!Parent of Alum '15
Tenley Peterson
This is a school that honors whole people and is committed to justice.GDS Teacher