The Gregory School is known for its small student body, which makes TGS an intimate environment that prepares students well for the future. Many students and parents choose TGS predominantly due to its small community. However, many people have noticed the increase in our population as they entered the packed theater for the all-school on the first day of school. Dr. Julie Sherrill gave a warm welcome to the 95 new members of TGS community during the meeting.
Although many are stunned by the large number of new students arriving at TGS, the school’s total enrollment only increased by two people. The middle school gained 12 students while the high school lost ten students. The all school enrollment and the middle school enrollment have been constantly increasing over the past 5 years, but the amount of enrolling high school students fluctuates. We now have 336 students at this school including 177 middle school students and 159 upper school students.
How is the number of total new students at TGS so big if there wasn’t a remarkable fluctuation in the total enrollment? According to Mrs. Laughbaum, the Director of Admission of TGS, “The Gregory School counts a student as ‘new’ after they have gone through the application process, are accepted, and then enroll in The Gregory School. We have 95 new students this academic year, with an additional new student joining us in January when the family moves to Tucson.” 26 of the new students are in the 5th grade.
Many parents and students may be worried about losing the small class experience because of the notable number of new students. However, since the overall number of students did not change profoundly, the class sizes will remain the same. Mrs. Laughbaum also claims that “we stay true to our small classroom size so that our students experience The Gregory School difference with small teacher to student ratios.”
Written by Vicky Jai (staff reporter)