By immersing students in a leadership program, Gerstell Academy Upper School strives to build honorable and courageous leaders. The program provides; specific education and skill development in leadership, a college preparatory academic curriculum that establishes a solid foundation of fundamental knowledge (the minimal information that each student should possess), a mindset of life-long physical fitness, and a solid sense of self-awareness in every individual student, focusing on the four areas of:
Every student experiences an education that should equip them to leave Gerstell Academy as a critical thinker ready to enter the competitive world and succeed. The demanding academic program prepares students for the next level of challenges at college and in life. The study of leadership and acquisition of leadership skills gives each student an opportunity to develop maturity and awareness of their effects on the community around them. The physical training develops a healthy individual with a mindset of life-long physical fitness. Lastly, the focus on modern language fluency first in Spanish then in other languages will allow students to interact with and understand the nature of world’s Spanish speaking cultures as well as the largest minority population in the United States.
The curriculum provides many opportunities for growth in and outside of the classroom. Every student is encouraged to become involved in the extracurricular and athletic programs and take on leadership roles to stretch and challenge themselves.
Scheduling
The Upper School daily schedule is an A/B Block Schedule with four – seventy five minute periods daily, transition times of 5 minutes between classes, a daily thirty minute Advisory period, and a daily 45 minute Tutorial, Activity, Programs, and Study Hall (TAPS) period to conclude each day. Students will be scheduled for eight classes for the year that will meet on alternating days. Over a ten day period students will meet five times for each class. The first class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the TAPS period concludes at 3:15.
Minimum Graduation Requirements
Academic credits: An academic credit is awarded for the successful completion of each academic course’s requirements or the equivalent of such. Credits are awarded based on the time and expectations of the course. In order to graduate from Gerstell Academy, a student must have accumulated a minimum of 26 credits; the Maryland state requirement is 21 credits. All students are encouraged to complete additional credits beyond the minimum of 26 during their Upper School experience. Upon enrollment, credits may be awarded for prior academic courses taken at an accredited or state approved school. Seniors must take a minimum of 5 academic credits and pass all courses as well as meet all their graduation requirements. The minimum credit and course requirements are as follows:
| Subject |
Credits |
Req'd Courses |
| English |
4 |
English I-IV |
| Math |
3 |
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II |
| Science |
3 |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
History |
3 |
World I, World II, US I |
| Leadership |
4 |
Leadership I-IV |
| Arts |
1 |
|
| Spanish |
4 |
Spanish I-IV |
| P.E. |
4 |
Health/Strength & Fitness |
26
*Note: For Physical Education, all students must take the Health, Strength, and Fitness course in ninth grade. Physical Education credits will be earned by participating in extracurricular athletic activities or taking a Physical Education elective. Participating in a sport for one season will earn 1/3 of a P.E. credit. The credit is earned based on the fitness component of a sport, not the time requirement for the extracurricular activity; therefore managers and trainers must take Physical Education. The hours served as a manager and trainer count as school service hours.
Service Hours ~ School and Community Service
The purpose of service hours is to help instill a mindset of service to others and using their time, talents, and treasures to give back to and improve their school and their community.
All Upper School students are required to perform a minimum 15 hours of service each year for a minimum of 60 hours over their four years in the upper school. Of the 15 hour requirement a minimum of 5 hours each year must be for community and 5 hours for school service. Hours earned in excess of the 15 hours each year will be recorded and part of each student’s transcripts, however they will not fulfill the requirement for future years. This is in keeping with the goal of instilling a mindset of ongoing service to others and not merely meeting the required hours.
A list of opportunities for school and community service is available through each student’s advisor. Advisors will track service hours.
