A GFA education focuses on core subjects, but also teaches habits of mind and ways of thinking that we hope will aid students throughout their lives as they address the pressing issues of our world. During their academic life at GFA, each student is expected to:
- Develop quantitative reasoning and skills
- Understand the challenges of sustainability for the world through physical, life and environmental science
- Study literary texts and historical events as a means of understanding the present
- Write analytically and creatively
- Read closely and critically
- Articulate ideas and opinions in a variety of formats
- Master a foreign language and its culture
- Develop an aesthetic appreciation and sensibility for the performing and visual arts
- Achieve an appreciation of fitness and sportsmanship through team athletics
- Developed research skills across the curriculum
- Develop a facility and familiarity with technology
- Synthesize a body of material from multiple sources
- Pursue independent thinking and learning
- Gain perspective about the local and global communities in which we live
- Develop an ethical sensibility and spirit of fairness
In addition we expect each graduating senior to possess:
- A strong basic skill set along with the ability to think critically
- A willingness to try imaginative approaches and alternative ways of thinking
- An openness to apply learning to real world scenarios
- The desire to pursue a passion and a willingness to defend the passion and its pursuit
- The desire to develop his/her leadership potential whether as an elected leaders or a leader by example
- An understanding of the meaning of both voice and action, and an ability to use both responsibly