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EDUCATING THE NEXT
GENERATION OF ISLAND
ADVOCATES
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History
Coral Bay School was 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
2000
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 Lower Campus remains today. Through the 1980s and 1990s, the school expanded to 6th grade, gained accreditation, and greatly enlarged its campus facilities.
GHS broke ground for the Upper Campus building, led by Fred Trayser.
2004
2005
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.
2009
Glen and Jo Ann Hall donated a four-acre parcel of land adjoining the Lower and Upper Campuses, allowing the school to sit on 14 contiguous acres.
2010
Trayser Field was dedicated, and at the Lower Campus, construction of the playground and the renovation of the green top were completed. GHS initiated 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.
2016
GHS was awarded the EPA Environmental Champion Award in recognition of its commitment to environmental sustainability and for leading by example in the Virgin Islands.
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.
2017
2018
GHS ambitiously enhanced its curriculum with an increased number of STEAM opportunities. Spanish Immersion was introduced to the Early Learning Center.
The entire school transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
In December 2020, GHS was recognized as a Bronze level Eco-School by the National Wildlife Federation.
Students returned for live, in-class instruction in September 2020. GHS expanded its programs to include aquaponics, engineering, and seminars. GHS also completed the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) to evaluate strengths and opportunities for improvement with regard to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
2021
The Board of Trustees adopted 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."
Gifft Hill School is approved by the V.I. Department of Labor to offer registered apprenticeships in technology and early childhood education.
2022
2025
Gifft Hill School is reaccredited by the Middle States Association, with commendations for innovating programming. The school also earns the prestigious E.E. Ford grant to further develop programs in marine sciences, sustainable agriculture, and green energy programs.