A different approach to education

Faith is at the heart of everything we do. We invite the Spirit of God into our school through prayer, gratitude, service, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Above all else, we want our children to know that they are children of a loving Father in Heaven who knows them, loves them, and watches over them through both triumphs and trials. We hope to help each child develop a personal faith in God that will guide, strengthen, and stay with them throughout their lives.

 Our teachers serve as guides, creating opportunities for students to explore, question, and discover. Rather than simply giving answers, we ask thoughtful questions that encourage children to think, investigate, and find solutions for themselves. These discoveries create deeper understanding and lasting learning.

Through Montessori-inspired hands-on experiences, exploration, and memorable stories, students don’t just learn information, they experience it, connect with it, and make it their own

 We believe children learn by doing. Our students work on real-world projects that develop practical skills while introducing them to interests they may choose to pursue throughout their lives.

Projects are constantly changing and may include starting businesses, building go-karts and boats, writing books, coding, investing in stocks, managing rental properties, practicing first aid and suturing, exploring microscopy and blood cells, caring for animals, building structures, cooking, typing, and learning to manage income and expenses.

The goal isn't for every child to pursue every subject. It is to give them opportunities to explore, discover what excites them, develop confidence, and realize just how much they are capable of doing.

 Every child is welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, languages, backgrounds, and abilities that enrich our school community.

Approximately one-quarter of our students have been diagnosed with a disability. At GLC, they learn alongside their peers, build meaningful friendships, and are recognized for their unique strengths and contributions.

We believe every child has God-given gifts, and our goal is to create a community where all students are encouraged, challenged, and given the opportunity to thrive.

 We believe learning is better together. Whether in sports, projects, or the classroom, students are encouraged to help one another, share ideas, and work as a team.

You won't often hear, “Keep your eyes on your own paper” at our school. If a student doesn't know how to solve a problem, we want them to ask a teacher, work with another student, find a book, or seek out the information they need.

Our goal isn't simply to test what students can memorize. We want them to learn how to find answers, solve problems, communicate, and work with others—skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

 We want students to learn how to manage themselves, not simply how to follow a bell. Children know what is expected of them and what needs to be accomplished, but they are given appropriate freedom to move around, take breaks, choose where to work, and organize their time.

Teachers provide guidance, expectations, and boundaries while gradually helping students take greater responsibility for their own learning.

We believe this balance of freedom and accountability helps children develop independence, self-discipline, time management, and personal responsibility—preparing them for a future where success depends not on someone constantly directing them, but on learning to direct themselves.

 Our goal is to prepare children not simply for the next grade, but for life. We want students to leave our school ready to work, build strong families, make wise decisions, overcome challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Through real-world experiences such as running businesses, working as a team, solving problems, managing responsibilities, and pushing through difficult challenges, students develop critical thinking, emotional resilience, work ethic, and confidence.

We believe education should prepare children not only for what comes next in school, but for the responsibilities and opportunities of adulthood.

 Our small, mixed-age school has the warmth and closeness of a homeschool community, where siblings can learn together and children of different ages become part of one school family.

Rather than separating students strictly by age, younger and older children learn, work, and play alongside one another. Older students naturally grow into leadership roles, helping and encouraging younger students while developing greater responsibility, patience, and confidence.

Children with special needs are an important part of our community as well. Students learn to recognize one another's strengths, offer help when it is needed, and show a level of compassion and acceptance that makes our school feel like a family.

We are grateful to live in the United States of America and teach our students to appreciate the freedoms and opportunities our country provides.

We do not tell students what political views they should hold. Instead, we encourage them to become informed, think critically, listen respectfully to different perspectives, and have the courage to stand up for what they believe.

Every person has a voice and the freedom to form an opinion. Learning to use that freedom thoughtfully and respectfully is an important part of preparing students to become responsible citizens.

 Children are active participants in learning rather than passive listeners. Students move, collaborate, explore, and work in a variety of settings while teachers guide, encourage, and ask thoughtful questions.

 Learning matters more than letter grades. Students continue working until they understand a concept instead of moving on simply because a test is over. Our goal is mastery, growth, and confidence, not ranking students against one another. 

 Childhood should be enjoyed after school. Students work hard during the school day, and homework is assigned only when it serves a meaningful purpose, not simply because homework is expected. (We have never assigned homework)

 We believe education should prepare children for life, not simply for the next exam. Rather than spending valuable classroom time preparing for standardized tests, students apply what they learn through projects, discussion, and real-world experiences that are remembered long after a test is forgotten.  

Tests are for ranking, which is helpful to the administration.  They are not intended to help an individual student in any way except for showing they are able to outrank another student.

The concept of being regulated by subjects and bells was put in place during the industrial revolution.  It is an assembly line approach. It is effective in making sure everyone spends an equal amount of time on every prescribed subject and progress at the same pace. We find that self regulation prepares children better for the world outside of school.

We don’t teach in the sense that the teacher gives information and the student memorizes.  We don't simply give answers, we teach students how to find them. Through questions, discussion, research, and exploration, children develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate ideas for themselves. Our goal is to help students become thoughtful, independent learners.  The world is filled with false information and the last thing we want is for children to believe something just because it is told to them in news, an article, or from an authoritative figure, without working it out in their own minds.