1. GIS stresses the restorative power of God’s grace in individual lives and within the world community.

The school focuses on redemption, restoration, and transformation. Students are taught that God the Father is in control, that Christ is triumphant, and that the Holy Spirit is present and working. They are challenged to respond to God’s grace.

Because moral and ethical learning are essential, the school’s program is designed to cultivate the values and skills of service, cooperation, and group accomplishment.

2. GIS fosters student responsibility in making informed choices based on God’s Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Teachers and students translate stewardship, justice, and compassion into practice. Students are given opportunities to display in their actions biblical truth and moral principles. When students choose poorly, teachers nurture, provide guidance, and discipline redemptively.

3. GIS takes the future seriously by addressing the cultural values of people that students will encounter throughout life.

GIS equips students not only to live in a world in upheaval, but also to transform it to reflect the coming of Christ’s kingdom of love, restoration, and peace.

We encourage students to be “rooted” – to value their heritage – but also to evaluate their ethnic, religious, and cultural traditions. Students must have an understanding of the world’s diverse cultures and be able to relate to people with different viewpoints and lifestyles, but they must not confuse biblical and secular norms.

4. GIS uses curriculum that reflects the complexity and richness of God’s world to equip students to live constructive Christian lives.

GIS students will be able to apply skills, knowledge, and attitudes to address real problems. GIS is committed to presenting students with ideas, activities, and role models that are consistent with a Christian worldview. Students will learn to analyze information and situations from a biblical perspective.

The GIS environment fosters education as exciting, worth pursuing, and deserving of celebration. Excellence in the pursuit of education honors God.

5. GIS pays attention to and affirms each student’s developmental level.

GIS focuses on a student’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, aesthetic, and spiritual growth, not simply his/her grade level. Providing effective, meaningful learning opportunities for students is a high priority.

GIS recognizes that each student is made in the image of God and nurtures in each student healthy expression of the full range of God-given emotions. The school, through its curriculum, practice, and supportive environment, strives for success in some form for all students. Self-esteem is based on an understanding of one’s identity from God’s perspective and developed through service to others.

6. GIS teachers have the freedom and responsibility to exercise their expertise and artistry within the framework of the curriculum.

At the heart of Christian education is the teacher who loves the Lord, the learning experience, and the students. GIS teachers are curriculum creators, coaches, models, community members, and change agents.

GIS curriculum recognizes that teachers are professionals who know both the science and the art of teaching. GIS encourages and supports teachers in the pursuit of professional growth.

7. GIS fosters a biblical spirit of community.

Trust, built on the idea that the Spirit speaks through the Body of Christ and not just by one person or a few, characterizes student, staff, and community relationships. Christian love in action means worshiping, sharing, counseling, encouraging, and celebrating with Christian joy and hope.

Authentic community arises out of a common purpose and commitment. This effort requires resources and good communication. Teachers prepare students for a future in which cooperation and collaboration are valued and team play is important. The home, church, and school actively support and re-enforce the work of one another.