The Frederick Gunn School

My child started studying at Gann Academy when they were in 9th grade, and their two-year experience there so far has been satisfactory. The school, founded in 1850, is a co-educational boarding secondary school with an excellent reputation in Connecticut. Upon entering the school, one immediately feels the pleasant environment. In recent years, the school principal has raised significant funds, continuously expanding and upgrading both hardware and software facilities, making the campus increasingly advanced and complete. My child finds it very convenient and comfortable to study and live here in all aspects.
Although the school is not large, students, especially international students, receive a high level of attention. The faculty is very strong, which is greatly beneficial in alleviating concerns and worries of international student parents. The school has a positive atmosphere and strict management, consistently upholding the educational philosophy of cultivating strong character. It focuses on four aspects: academic achievement, sound physique, mutual respect, and integrity, aiming to develop students into diligent, active citizens and lifelong learners.
The school's distinctive courses are also outstanding. Through the Outdoor Leadership program, children can explore nature, solve various challenges with classmates, and develop willpower and leadership skills. The Art Innovation program allows children to engage with cutting-edge digital photography art, create across various media, inspire artistic creativity, and cultivate comprehensive literacy, helping them find joy and confidence in their learning. Furthermore, the school frequently organizes club activities and social practices to broaden children's horizons and increase their knowledge. My child has not only gained knowledge but also grown personally at this school, and I look forward to even greater achievements.

The Gunnery School is located in Washington, Connecticut, less than 2 hours' drive from New York, about 1 hour's drive from Hartford Airport (the capital of Connecticut), and less than 3 hours' drive from Boston International Airport. The area is culturally rich and diverse, and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of nature reserves. Here, students can truly experience the local community and realize that the surrounding environment is crucial to The Gunnery School, and that the school is also a part of its environment.

The school is well-equipped with first-class campus hardware facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls, computer centers, performing arts centers, dormitories, tennis courts, swimming pools, ski resorts, indoor sports halls, golf courses, etc.

The Gunnery School has been widely acclaimed as a 'dark horse' school in recent years, with excellent university admissions trends and a 100% graduation rate. In the 2022 ED round, Chinese students received admissions from 3 Ivy League universities: the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, and Cornell University. From 2020-2023, many students from The Gunnery School were admitted to top universities such as Yale, UPenn, Columbia University, Brown University, and Cornell University.

Extracurricular Activities

Gann Academy offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. In addition to physical education classes, there are many other sports clubs, allowing students to join various clubs and societies based on their interests.

Sports Activities

Students who enjoy sports are very fortunate at Gann Academy, as there are many sports to choose from. The school has 35 sports teams, offering participation in over a dozen sports. Here, every student has the opportunity to try new sports and refine their skills.

The types of sports offered by the school include alpine skiing, baseball, ice hockey, field hockey, snowboarding, soccer, softball, tennis, ultimate frisbee, and more.

Sports Facilities

The school is equipped with comprehensive sports facilities, including the Barnes artificial turf for field hockey, lacrosse, football, baseball, and softball training, an ice rink, the Emerson Fitness Center, the South Street field for soccer and field hockey training, tennis courts, a boathouse, and more.

Sports Strengths

Gann Academy's Men's Ice Hockey Team has consistently achieved excellent results in top-level competitions since its establishment in 1981. Notably, it won three New England Championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s, subsequently officially entering Division I in 1995.

The FGS Women's Ice Hockey Team competes annually against the best D1 and D3 teams within the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). They have won three championships and made multiple appearances in the finals, including reaching the NEPSAC finals in March 2017.

School Special Programs

Engineering Innovation Lab

Ganare Middle School emphasizes problem-solving skills such as innovation, design, and application in the study of science, engineering, and even business disciplines. Highlights of the Engineering Innovation Lab project include: Innovation and Engineering, Robotics, Water System Design, Low-impact development, etc.

Winter Mini-Term

Since Winter 2020, Ganare Middle School has conducted intensive three-week university-level courses during the mid-academic year winter break, encouraging students to delve deeply into topics of interest that are relevant to the real world. The wide range of subjects covered includes art, history, literature, mathematics, science, engineering, as well as public affairs, sustainability and environment, globalization, race, gender, and identity.

Interested students, along with their teacher advisors and parents, propose and organize projects during the winter (proposals are submitted in February). Once approved, students should provide regular updates to their advisors. Past projects include: conservation research for the National Park Service, internships at the Connecticut State Legislature, veterinary assistant, literacy volunteer, and more.