What We Offer

At Gagie School, we create a nurturing learning environment where children explore their surroundings and themselves. Our small class sizes promote academic excellence, allowing each student to progress at their own pace and master fundamental skills essential for lifelong learning. Beyond academics, we cultivate avid readers, curious learners, and independent thinkers. We are dedicated to unlocking each child’s unique gifts, emphasizing their overall development in mind, body, and spirit. Our teachers customize instruction to suit individual learning styles, providing a strong educational foundation that supports each child's growth and achievement, with a focus on attention to detail and responsibility.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a cornerstone of our curriculum at Gagie School, taught through a structured hierarchy of skills where each concept builds on the previous one. Supported by the Wisconsin Plan, our approach ensures that students master each skill before advancing to the next level. We group students in reading and mathematics based on their skill levels rather than age or grade, allowing for personalized learning and optimal growth.

Reading

Reading is a fundamental skill critical for success in both school and society. At Gagie School, we ensure our reading instruction is of the highest quality. Utilizing the Wisconsin Plan, we implement a systematic, Language Experience approach that teaches reading skills from basic to advanced levels through both auditory and visual methods. Our instruction incorporates sequential techniques, library books, and basal readers to support learning. We also focus on the affective domain by choosing reading materials that align with students' interests and dedicating time for daily pleasure reading. Our goal is to cultivate proficient readers who excel academically and develop a lifelong passion for reading.

Writing

All students receive comprehensive instruction in writing skills, often referred to as Language Arts. In the early grades, students engage in creative writing and journal-keeping to foster their writing abilities. As they progress to middle school, they explore diverse writing forms and study essential grammar and sentence diagramming. Daily writing practice is emphasized to make writing an intuitive and natural skill.

Science

Science is a key component of our curriculum at every grade level, allowing students to explore its relevance in daily life. Through hands-on materials and interactive learning, we cultivate a deep and lasting understanding of science. Our curriculum includes essential topics such as physics, chemistry, biology, and botany, keeping pace with today’s advancements. By emphasizing the scientific method, we equip students with critical skills for lifelong learning and curiosity. Students also have opportunities to showcase their knowledge through our Science Fair, Invention Convention, and ExploraVision Program. Additionally, our greenhouse, garden, science lab, and kitchen offer practical settings for immersive scientific exploration.

Social Studies

At Gagie School, Social Studies with a focus on Geography is integrated into every grade level. Our curriculum covers history, civics, government, economics, and sociology to help students become informed and responsible citizens. By learning about democracy and the vision of our nation's founders, students gain a deeper appreciation for the rights and duties of living in a democratic society. Using atlases and drawing maps enhance their understanding of our interconnected world. Gagie School students also benefit from hands-on learning through field trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Capitol Building, museums in Lansing, and Washington D.C., enriching their educational experience with real-world insights.

Technology

Technology is seamlessly integrated across all areas of our curriculum. We believe that computers are essential tools for enhancing learning in every subject. Students utilize technology to create reports, multimedia presentations, websites, and documentaries. For example, our students apply their tech skills to develop award-winning projects for National History Day, showcasing their knowledge and earning state and national recognition.

The Gagie Library

Our library is a vital resource for both pleasure reading and research. Students learn to navigate library resources, understand the Dewey Decimal system, and distinguish between primary and secondary sources. These skills are crucial for effective research, especially during National History Day competitions. Many students visit the Zhang Legacy Collections Center at WMU to access primary sources for their projects, emphasizing the value of hands-on research. We believe there's nothing like the experience of holding a book in your hand!

Athletics

Running, jumping, climbing, throwing, catching, and balancing are not just fun—they’re essential for building self-esteem and fostering teamwork. At Gagie School, our physical education program emphasizes strength, flexibility, and endurance while promoting lifelong healthy habits. Younger students focus on developing gross motor skills, endurance, and fitness, while older students hone specific game skills, strategies, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our school actively supports student participation in volleyball, basketball, and other sports, encouraging a well-rounded approach to physical activity.

Art

Stepping into our art room inspires immediate creativity with its vibrant atmosphere. Students explore diverse artistic techniques, from pointillism and perspective drawing to Japanese paper marbling. They study a range of styles and eras, including Paleolithic cave art, Renaissance masterpieces by Michelangelo, and contemporary works by comic book artist Scott McCloud. In addition to learning about art history, students actively create sculptures, paintings, cartoons, prints, and more, enjoying the freedom to develop their own artistic ideas. Our art projects often complement and enhance classroom learning, such as when fourth graders weave baskets while studying Native American culture. The artwork produced by our talented young artists enriches not only our school hallways but also extends to the KIA and the wider Kalamazoo community.

Music

Music is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum at Gagie School, fostering an appreciation for music and its impact on society. From preschool, students engage with music through movement and singing, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of music. Basic concepts such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and note reading are introduced and reinforced from kindergarten through eighth grade, with an increased focus on choral music in the upper grades. Students frequently perform a range of musical styles, from classical to jazz, culminating in our impressive annual Holiday Program featuring a performance of Dickens's A Christmas Carol by all K-8 students. Instrumental music is offered to students in grades 5-8, with instrument aptitude testing held in the spring and rentals arranged through a local music store. Seventh and eighth graders can join the Swing Choir, Good Vibrations, known for its community outreach and volunteerism. Gagie School benefits from Kalamazoo's vibrant musical community, utilizing the talents of both students and professional musicians.

Spanish

Spanish conversation starts in preschool and continues through eighth grade, introducing students to the language with basic vocabulary through songs, stories, and interactive games. Our comprehensive program emphasizes four key areas: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing, aiming for each student to achieve true conversational Spanish. We build fundamental vocabulary and create simple conversational practice in a classroom setting, boosting students' confidence and preparing them for more complex topics. By middle school, students explore Hispanic geography and culture, gaining practical experience such as ordering food in restaurants, asking for directions, and sharing stories with friends. They create, write, and perform unique conversations, enhancing their real-world language skills. Regular assessments through tests, quizzes, and assignments track progress, ensuring students have a solid foundation for continued Spanish language success in high school.