Sustainability

We want to instill within our students the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make environmentally and socially responsible decisions so they can create sustainable solutions for the future.

Sample of Upper School courses

Marine Science: Local

In this course, students focus on the local marine and coastal environment — the “nature of GFA — by exploring and learning about each of the three ecosystems
right in our backyard: the Sound, beach, and marsh. This introduces many topics (physical, chemical, and biological) that allow students to explore in more detail as the semester progresses, and prepares them for regular monthly surveys and additional fieldwork.

Marine Science: Global

In this course, students will take a more global focus on the oceans. They will engage in fieldwork and take time to investigate global ocean ecosystems and issues with a focus on ways in which human activities influence the oceans. The units in this course may include oyster reefs, coral reefs, noise pollution, and marine debris, among other topics.

Human Ecology and Sustainability Inquiry

An in-depth exploration of what it means to live well in a place. Through case studies, primary literature, and other readings, students study sustainability theory, environmental ethics, and environmental justice. The course includes an off-campus immersion experience that will help class become a collaborative cohort of leaders in sustainability.

ADVANCED INQUIRY IN HUMAN ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

For students who are passionate about study of the environment and sustainability issues, GFA offers an interdisciplinary, project-focused program designed to empower students to explore their passions and become stewards of their world.

Check out Sustainability in action at GFA!

Sustainability in the News

RSS Feeds Subscribe to Alerts

Inspiring Sustainable Habits at GFA

GFA’s Sustainability Week brought the community together to explore eco-friendly habits and environmental stewardship through hands-on activities and meaningful discussions.

GFA Great Playground Pumpkin Collection

After turning their clocks back for daylight savings, Lower School families rounded up their Halloween pumpkins to bring to the GFA Great Playground Pumpkin Collection. The Lower School Parents Association collected all the pumpkins for composting, with support from local gardeners who hauled away the pumpkins for renewed use.

Open Classroom Week 2024

Now in its third year, Open Classroom Week provides GFA’s faculty and staff with an inspiring opportunity to connect, observe, and learn from one another. Across campus, teachers opened their doors to colleagues, offering a firsthand look at the variety of teaching methods and activities that make the GFA experience so dynamic.

A Sweet Tradition: Kindergarteners Make Apple Cider at GFA

Each fall, GFA’s Kindergarteners head outdoors to made cider from apples they've picked in the school’s orchard—a beloved tradition that celebrates our connection to nature and hands-on learning. This year, they were joined by their fourth-grade buddies!