Adolescent Program

 

Randi McClure
Adol. Operational Program Director
rmcclure@greatriverschool.org
651-305-2780, ext. TBD

Xue Xiong
Adol. Instructional Program Director
xxiong@greatriverschool.org
651-305-2780, ext. TBD

Message from the Adolescent Program Directors

Welcome to the Adolescent Program! We are delighted to have you and your child join us on this exciting journey of growth, discovery, and learning.  The Adolescent Program has many opportunities to help our adolescents grow, from the fall Key experiences to student presentations at conferences. Take the time to explore the Adolescent program below.

 

Quick Links

International Baccalaureate Program (11th - 12th Grades)

What is IB @ GRS?

School Supply Lists

Report a change to a student’s Attendance (Late arrival, Early Departure)

To inform us of a late arrival or early departure, please use this form. All changes must be finalized no later than 2:45pm. After this time, staff are attending to students for end-of-day procedures and are unavailable to deliver messages to students and guides. Any permanent or recurring changes should be sent to attendance@greatriverschool.org.

Anonymous Bullying Reporting:
Speak Up! Number - 651-478-5834 

Great River Spiritwear 

See all public events on our 2024-25 Calendar (pdf)

Academics

The independent work environment and International Baccalaureate program are highly demanding of student responsibility, independence, and self-advocacy. If at any point a student is not making academic progress, struggling socially, or indicating the environment at Great River is not meeting their learning style/needs, the appropriate Great River party will meet with caregivers and the student to help create a plan for success.

  • The International Baccalaureate Program is well-known around the world for providing a rigorous, globally focused curriculum for college-bound students. At Great River, our focus on meaningful and challenging work means that every student attends classes organized around this curriculum. We are unusual among IB schools because here completing the curriculum is not an honors program but an expectation and goal for every student. We take a collaborative, supportive approach to helping every student reach graduation through this rewarding and rigorous work.

    For more information on IB at GRS, click here.

  • CAS is a required component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Students are expected to engage in extracurricular activities that align with the three strands of the program. The three strands of CAS are:

    ■ Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.

    ■ Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.

    ■ Community Engagement - local and global community engagement sustained over time, where students become positive change agents. The IB developed CAS to enable students to “enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience. It provides opportunities for self determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work. At the same time, CAS is an important counterbalance to the academic pressures” of school.

    Learn more about Adolescent Academics

  • Official academic reports are sent home electronically at the end of the fall and spring semesters for adolescent students.

    If you wish to make a special request to have the reports mailed by paper, please contact school administration at records@greatriverschool.org.

  • Adolescent students go on a grade level specific key experience trip every fall. For more information about GRS Key Experiences (click here - need link).

Adolescent Program FAQ

Upper Adolescent students continue to build knowledge and skills through core classes in preparation for the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

For other general adolescent program questions, contact Nick Beermann, Adolescent Program Director, at nbeermann@greatriverschool.org.

  • Key experiences are a key part of the Great River experience! All adolescent students, go on overnight camping trips with their peers and teachers. These trips are grade level-specific and frequently, the students' highlight of the year.

    To learn more about our Key Experiences and which ones your student might go on, visit our Key Experience page.

  • All packing lists can be found under the “What are Key Experiences?” section at the top of this FAQ. 

  • Beginning in 7th grade, Great River provides 10-ride Metro Transit passes for students at no cost. When the passes are empty, students may turn them in at the front office and receive a new pass. Unlimited passes are given out on a case-by-case basis. To read more about transportation, click here.

  • Our College and Career Counselor, Kylie DeGrote, is available for college counseling, scholarship assistance, and resource gathering. She can be contacted at kdegrote@greatriverschool.org.

    For more information on College and college access and career counseling at GRS, visit https://www.greatriverschool.org/college-access-and-pseo