The GVA Way
At GVA, we believe:
That students deserve instruction that is rigorous, relevant, meaningful, and experiential.
Why It Matters
At GVA, we believe that students deserve instruction that is rigorous, relevant, meaningful, and experiential because learning should ignite both the mind and the heart. When students are challenged to think deeply, connect ideas to the real world, and actively engage in experiences that matter, they don't just memorize - they internalize. Rigorous instruction teaches perseverance and critical thinking; relevance ensures students see purpose in what they're learning; meaning connects their identity and values; and experience transforms abstract ideas into lived understanding.
What We Prioritize in Every Classroom
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Learning that challenges and connects: Rigor isn't about giving more work; it's about deeper thinking.
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Authentic experiences that bring learning to life: Whether through project-based learning, experiments, simulations, or service projects, students are invited to explore, design, and problem-solve in ways that mirror the world beyond school.​
This 7th grade medieval banquet, planned and executed entirely by students, is an example of learning magnified through experience.
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Relationships and relevance: When teachers know their students, they can connect instruction to interests, strengths, and stories. This makes learning personal, powerful, and lasting.
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Growth over perfection: GVA classrooms are places where curiosity is celebrated, mistakes are seen as stepping stones, and every learner is encouraged to stretch beyond what feels easy because that's where true understanding lives.
Let's Make This Belief a Reality
Together, we can make learning something your child doesn't just have to do, but something they get to do.
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At home, nurture curiosity. Wonder out loud, read together, explore new ideas, and let mistakes lead to discovery. When children see that learning doesn't stop when school ends, they begin to understand that rigor isn't about perfection; it's about perseverance, purpose, and joy in the process.