PHILOSOPHY

The Georgetown American School was originally founded in 1971 to provide an American education to the dependents of the United States Citizens in Guyana. With time other persons in the business, professional and consular communities sought an instructional program in the English Language, the nature of which would assure their children continued studies without lapses when they returned to their home countries or accepted posting in a subsequent nation.

The GAS thus believes in the dignity and worth of each student and recognizes the importance of this responsibility to his fellow citizens in the world community . We believe that the Georgetown American School has a unique opportunity to foster the development of the global citizen as we provide a quality American style education while taking advantage of the unique educational opportunities afforded by residence in Guyana and by a multinational student body.

We believe that to develop informed, thinking citizens capable of participating fully in their respective countries and in the world we must :

I. Establish an environment which provides the highest possible standards of education;
II. Promote the skills , knowledge, and attitudes necessary for life development of the total person;
III. Prepare students to adopt and to adjust to the complexities and challenges of an increasingly interdependent and constantly changing world; and
IV. Foster awareness of rights, duties and responsibilities of citizenship, as well as respect for other cultures and nationalities.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
I. Establish an environment which will promote the highest possible standards of education:

A. Define the standards of expected excellence for students and staff; foster a respect for learning and recognize achievement.

B. Provide a program that is interesting and imaginative , that will stimulate curiosity and desire to learn.

C. Employ teachers who are well-qualified, who demonstrate professionalism, and who convey a positive attitude towards learning and the school environment.

D. Involve the administration, school board and teachers in the cooperative exchange of views and maintenance of high academic expectation and social values.

E. Provide classrooms that are physically comfortable, safe and conducive to maximum learning.

F. Foster a supportive learning atmosphere marked by respect for individual differences, the rights of others, and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

G. Maintain a professional development program that will ensure high educational standards in the academic disciplines.

II. Promote the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for life-long development of the total person:

A. Provide opportunities for students to develop their intellectual , cultural aesthetic and physical abilities.

B. Provide a broad program of activities that will encourage social interaction, cooperation , leadership, and the ability to adjust to constant changes of friends and staff and its impact.

C. Encourage awareness of new developments and discoveries in academic disciplines.

D. Provide opportunities for students to evaluate choices, make decisions and solve problems.

E. Encourage attitudes that promote the development of a sense of responsibility, truthfulness, honesty , patience , courtesy, discipline, respect for authorities/law/regulations, self-reliance and contribute to a positive self-image.

III. Prepare students to adapt and adjust to the complexities and challenges of an increasingly interdependent and constantly changing world:

A. Encourage students to become independent learners.

B. Provide opportunities for students to acquire useful and practical skills and to make the student aware and confident of his \her own intellectual abilities and capacity to perform.

C. Provide opportunities for development of students' ability to set goals and to achieve them in education and behavior development.

IV. Foster awareness of rights , duties and responsibilities of citizenship as well as respect for other cultures and nationalities.

A. Utilize every means possible to expose students to the traditions and richness of culture and environment of the host country.

B. Study, engage in, or be exposed to the arts , culture , and traditions of the many nations represented by students and staff of the Georgetown American School.

C. Provide a program of students activities designed to develop competent, self-directed and responsible social interaction in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation.

D. Develop in each student interests , skills and attitudes which contribute to the worthy use of leisure time.

E. Provide guidance and information regarding vocational choices that students may choose.

STATEMENT OF MISSION
The Georgetown American School is operated and maintained as a private school for expatriate students in the international community and Guyanese students desiring an American type education. The curriculum is based on the American model and is designed to provide the highest possible standard of education within the scope of the facilities available; to develop the best intellectual and cultural qualities of each students while encouraging useful and helpful skills;
to present a challenge to every student to realize his or her potential ; to maintain high educational standards and practices based on new developments and discoveries in the various academic disciplines.