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EDUCATING THE NEXT
GENERATION OF ISLAND
ADVOCATES
Academic Rigor
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Small classes and low student-teacher ratios
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Individualized college and career preparation
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High expectations supported by tailored instruction
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Focus on critical reasoning and ability to invent and adapt
Compassionate Community
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Instilling the importance of respect, integrity, and cooperation
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Valuing all members of our community as crucial to our shared success
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Giving back and paying forward to our island and global community
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Expanding our horizons through island and global partnerships
Experiential Learning
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Using our gardens, national park, and the sea as living laboratories
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Employing innovative faculty to engage and inspire every child
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Creating project-based instruction and a variety of extracurricular opportunities
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Integrating world-class arts and EARTH instruction into GHS curriculum
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Leadership
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT
Members of the Board of Trustees share a commitment to rigorous, experiential education, and to the school as a community and as part of our broader island community. Dedicated people from a broad array of backgrounds bring their experience and their best thinking to the table to bring school traditions into our future.
Dr. Ruth Doan
Board President
Leadership Team
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Lower Campus Faculty
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Preschool Teacher
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Fifth Grade Teacher
Spanish Teacher
Upper Campus Faculty
Leadership Support Team
Board of Trustees
Ruth Doan, President
Rich Emmett, Vice President
Teresa Bertolino, Treasurer
Rob Snyder, Secretary
Nancy Coxe Batten
Jan Courlas
Susan Crane
Crystal George
David McCay
John Reny
Andrew Rutnik
Gershwain Sprauve
Miles Stair
Fred Trayser
Gifft Hill School's Board of Trustees is comprised of prominent local community leaders, business owners, academics, parents and grandparents. Working closely with the Head of School, their range of responsibilities includes developing, implementing, and sustaining the mission of the school, ensuring the school's fiduciary sustainability, and serving as community ambassadors. The countless hours they volunteer and their personal generosity as donors are testament to their commitment to GHS, to education on St. John, and their passion for this community.
History
Coral Bay School founded, serving 13 students in grades 7-9. Over the next four years, the school grew to 85 students in grades 7-12, gained accreditation, and graduated the first senior class in St. John’s history—achieving 100% college acceptance.
1978
Four devoted community members founded Pine Peace School in 1978 as a preschool serving a handful of students. The school grew quickly, adding both students and grades. After moving four times in as many years, Pine Peace settled onto donated land on Gifft Hill, where the elementary campus remains today. Through the 1980s and 1990s, the school expanded to 6th grade, gained accreditation, and greatly enlarged its campus facilities.
2000
2004
Coral Bay School purchased land on Gifft Hill—adjacent to the elementary school. Pine Peace School and Coral Bay School merged to become one, and Gifft Hill School was born.
GHS broke ground for the Upper Campus building, led by Fred Trayser.
2005
Dedication of Trayser Field and completion of the playground and green-top renovation at the Lower Campus. GHS initiates a partnership with Iowa State University to form the EARTH program. Accreditation was renewed for K-12th grades, and the Nekwan Sprauve Memorial half-court Basketball Court was created.
2009
Glen and Jo Ann Hall donate four-acre parcel of land adjoining Lower and Upper Campuses, allowing the school to sit on 14 contiguous acres.
2010
GHS opened its doors just five days after the second of two category five hurricanes hit St. John. The Board of Trustees waived tuition for the 2017-2018 school year and welcomed all students on St. John to attend.
2016
GHS awarded the EPA Environmental Champion Award in recognition of its commitment to environmental sustainability and for leading by example in the Virgin Islands.
2017
2018
GHS ambitiously enhanced its curriculum with an increased number of STEAM opportunities and the creation of STEAM labs on both campuses. Spanish Immersion through Art was introduced to the Early Learning Center, K, 1st, and 2nd grades.
The entire school transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
Students returned for live, in-class instruction. GHS expanded its programs to include aquaponics, engineering, and seminars. GHS also completed the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) to evaluated strengths and opportunities for improvement with regard to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
In December 2020, GHS was recognized as a Bronze level Eco-School by the National Wildlife Federation.
2021
Board of Trustees adopts a resolution citing, in part, "that a diverse and inclusive learning environment is integral to achieving academic excellence. We recognize and value the experiences that diversity of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, family structure, age, and ability contribute to Gifft Hill School."
Employment
We have extraordinary highly credentialed, experienced, and mission-oriented faculty and staff that are dedicated to the well-being of our student body. We welcome applications from passionate educators and professionals to join our team.
Candidates must be citizens of the United States, have valid permanent residency status, or hold current visas and permits allowing them to work in the USA.
Gifft Hill School is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Staff Openings
For questions or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email businessoffice@giffthillschool.org.
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Applications for substitute teaching positions are accepted year-round, please email your resume to businessoffice@giffthillschool.org with the subject line: Substitute Teaching.
Newsworthy
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Live-streamed Events
October 2021 Reading Awards and 5th Grade Academic Showcase
September 2021 Reading Awards
2nd Grade Hermit Crab Showcase 2021
December 2021 Kudos for 'Cudas Assembly
November 2021 Kudos for 'Cudas
5th grade Aquaponics Showcase 2021
December 2021 Reading Awards
Barracuda Bulletin
2022
2021