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Home > Archive > Feb 7, 2008

Strengthening Foundations at George Washington Academy
By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
George Washington Academy, a local charter school, offers an educational alternative for students in grades kindergarten through eighth.
“Really, we're just a choice. We're a choice in education that has a bit of a different curriculum,” said GWA Principal Amy Trombetti.
Founded by a group of local parents, GWA opened its doors in Sept. 2006 with “Building a Strong Foundation” as the school’s motto. Structured as a sort of “one-school school district,” GWA has the freedom to select curriculum and control class sizes because it is a charter school, Trombetti said. GWA was created to offer families and students a “fast-paced and challenging learning environment,” according to information from the school.
“We still have to follow the state standards, and we exceed them, actually,” Trombetti said. “We go above and beyond the state standards in our curriculum.”
GWA uses a curriculum called Core Knowledge Sequence, which is very hands-on, she said, and focuses particularly on such foundational subjects as math, social studies, science, art and music. The curriculum is structured to progressively build educational foundations for students throughout their years at GWA.
“It's advanced all the way through,” Trombetti said.
The curriculum used is consistent throughout all the grades, so a phonics system introduced at the kindergarten level would still be employed in the upper grades, she said. In this way, knowledge students gain is built upon and strengthened year after year.
“We're building a strong foundation, so we are, academically, a pretty rigorous school,” Trombetti said. “Our mission is to just give the students the foundation of learning, to make them lifelong learners.”
Learning is also connected throughout the school, and related units are taught simultaneously. So if students are learning about Asian culture in social studies, they'll also be playing Asian instruments or learning Asian songs in music class. GWA sends regular newsletters home to parents, as well, telling them what their students are learning at any given time, so they can continue educating their kids at home.
GWA has an all-day kindergarten program, and the young students in that grade work a year ahead, Trombetti said, so when they finish kindergarten, they're actually completing a first-grade curriculum at the same time.
All state-required classes are offered at GWA, including physical education, and there are Spanish classes available to the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, as well.
A unique requirement at GWA is that all students are must wear uniforms – though they can earn “free dress day” coupons and come sans-uniform on occasion. Trombetti said the uniform-wearing is one aspect of the academy that parents especially like.
“I think (uniforms) reduce discipline problems,” she said. “I think they create a level playing field – nobody has something better than the other.”
“There really becomes a lack of class order. There's no kind of economic caste system – everybody's wearing the same thing,” said GWA parent and board member Laurel Hafen. “You can't tell by looking at our students what economic status they come from, which, in an environment like a school, nowadays, is huge.”
There is no tuition for students to attend GWA – it is state and federally funded – and new students are selected and admitted based on a random lottery. Students also do not have to be from Utah to be accepted at GWA.
“We get phone calls all the time from out of state: 'We're moving there next year, so we want to fax in our application,'” Trombetti said.
There are currently about 470 students enrolled at GWA, and some travel from as far away as Diamond Valley to attend, Trombetti said.
The school provides opportunities for kids to advance academically, but GWA also strives to meet the needs of students of all ability levels, Trombetti said. There is special education assistance available for any struggling student, and there are gifted and talented programs for pupils who are more advanced.
“Kids are encouraged to rise to the occasion,” said GWA parent and board member Lesa Stewart. “It's a great school.”
For more information about George Washington Academy, call 673-2232 or go online to www.gwacademy.org. The school has an open-door policy, Trombetti said, and local residents are encouraged to visit the school. GWA is located at 2277 S. 3000 East in St. George.

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