About Us

Welcome to the International School at Gregory!

The International School at Gregory has a multidimensional program focusing not only on dual language immersion, but also on STEM. This allows our school to provide students with a multitude of experiences, which will prepare them for future success as 21st Century global citizens, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

The school is located near downtown Wilmington, within walking distance of museums, art galleries, historic sites, and government buildings. The campus houses a multitude of outdoor learning opportunities including butterfly, vegetable, and flower gardens, as well as a purple martin nesting area. At Gregory, students from all academic levels are encouraged to work toward their highest potential.

The diverse student population enjoys the benefits of an Academically and Intellectually Gifted program (AIG), a STEM lab, a math lab, a science lab, a multimedia broadcasting studio, and a spacious media center. Our building includes a fully equipped auditorium as well as a large air-conditioned gymnasium. Students have access to the latest technology, including 1 to 1 iPads, and wireless internet access.

Mission Statement

We will positively impact student achievement by providing a quality dual language program that will expose students to global learning and prepare them for living and working in a 21st Century world.

Vision

The International School at Gregory will be a respectful and safe environment that promotes authentic learning experiences in order to enable and empower students to become critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and globally productive citizens.

School Hours: 8:00 am - 2:30 pm.
Students may enter the school building at 7:20 am.

Uniforms

updated 8/06/2018

The dresscode is for Grades 6 - 8 only. K- 5 students may continue to wear uniforms, mix and match uniforms with regular clothes, or strictly wear regular clothes, including jeans. All students must continue to follow NHCS dress code policy.

Shirts

Polos, button down shirts, or turtlenecks in any SOLID color will be allowed. Labels, logos, or graphics may not be larger than 3x3. Official New Hanover County Schools Spirit Wear (any NHCS School) may be worn daily.

Sweatshirts/ Hoodies/ Jackets

All NHCS sweatshirts and hoodies are permitted. Solid lightweight jackets and zippered sweatshirts in solid colors only are allowed. Hoods and hats will be completely removed from head upon entering the building. Winter coats are allowed but must be removed once in the building.

Bottoms (pants, jeans, shorts, dresses, skirts, skorts, capris)

Bottoms must be solid khaki, navy, or black only. Jeans must be solid black only.

Shorts, skirts, jumpers, dresses, and skorts must be at fingertip length when arms are by side and fully extended.
Gym shorts/ sweatpants with Williston/Gregory printed on them are allowed (6th grade).
Pants must be free of tears, holes or rips.
Leggings and tights may only be worn under skirts – NOT AS PANTS! They may be any color
No pajama pants may be worn.

*Pants worn below the waist or showing clothing/underwear beneath the main outerwear and girls’ “low rider” pants that reveal skin are unacceptable. There will be no sagging pants with the crotch closer to the knees than to its intended location. Pants must stay up without assistance – if you have to hold the waistband while walking or running to keep your pants on, then your pants do not fit. A zip tie may be used as a substitute for a belt.

Shoes

For your safety, flip-flop style sandals of any kind, athletic slides, bedroom shoes, and spiked heels are not allowed. Socks are to be worn under pant legs. Pants should not be tucked into socks.

Headgear

Hats and hoodies are to be removed in the building. NO BANDANAS (as headbands, wraps, bows, etc.)

General

All clothing must be worn in an appropriate and tasteful manner, and as originally intended by the designer. For example, headbands will not be worn around the neck; shirts must be buttoned so chest or T-shirts are not exposed, shoes must be fastened/tied; etc. Clothes may not be inside out or backward, and must stay up/ on independently.

Extremely loose/big clothes (huge XL T-shirts, sagging pants) or extremely tight/small clothes (midriff-baring tops, mini-skirts, spaghetti straps, short shorts, low-cut blouses, tight pants, jeggings, etc.) are not permitted.
Clothing with abusive, suggestive or profane language; symbols of illegal substances; or any other words, symbols or slogans that disrupt the learning environment may not be worn.

During the course of the year, the Principal may determine that new fads and modes of dress are disruptive to a safe and orderly learning environment. For example, certain accessories or styles may be gang-related, or may convey nonverbal messages that are inappropriate for schools. We reserve the right to adjust the dress code accordingly.

Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)

The staff and students of the International School at Gregory will participate in a school wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support program to teach behavioral expectations in order to best meet the academic potential of all students. This program outlines clear expectations to encourage a positive learning environment. It will include 2nd Step, our school social skills program, taught each day by the teacher. This program will rely on consistent and positive expectations for all students in all areas of the campus.

Our behavioral expectations are that all Dolphins make a SPLASH when they:

Succeed and are
Polite
Lead
Achieve
Safe
Honest

Students receive SPLASH stickers for meeting these expectations. Teachers will help students track stickers for class badges.

SPLASH CLUB

100 Stickers= One Badge
Each badge earned will spell out the SPLASH. Once a class has earned all 6 “badges” they will receive a class reward and be an official SPLASH Club Member. In an effort to encourage community building, students may earn stickers individually or as a class. Stickers can be earned when students follow the school matrix.

Students will be recognized in monthly awards ceremonies. Students are recognized for accomplishments such as honor roll, perfect attendance and outstanding achievement in specials classes. Additional information regarding award assemblies will be provided by the PBIS Committee.

First 5 Days

The expectation is that the first five days of school will be spent with teachers and children working on building community and establishing classroom expectations, routines, and procedures (First 5 Days Framework included). All classrooms must have a Dolphin Cove in the classroom, as this is part of the school wide teacher intervention process.

Each teacher should work to create their own classroom procedures during the first days of school. These are expectations specific to your classroom. Create this with your students and make large enough to be seen from any place in the classroom as a teaching tool.

Dolphin Cove

The Dolphin Cove is a small yet vital area in the classroom. Students have the choice (teacher may not ask, but direct) to go to the Dolphin Cove to relax or regain composure during a difficult time. Students should use the Dolphin Cove if they feel overwhelmed, anxious, upset, annoyed, or if it is too loud and he/she needs a break for no more than five minutes. This safe place should provide access for positive reinforcement.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These four disciplines are interconnected in a way that makes teaching them together very important. Technology provides the tools used by Engineers, Scientists, and Mathematicians. Mathematics provides the common language used in Technology, Engineering, and Science to gather data, measure results, and communicate what was learned. Science provides the research that lays the groundwork for exploration and advancement in Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Engineering provides the innovation and design process that puts the technology tools, mathematical concepts, and scientific advancements into practical use. Not one of the four can exist without the other. STEM puts all four disciplines into context and that is what makes each of them understandable to students.

STEM is an intentional integration of curriculum. It knocks down artificial barriers between subject areas and helps the students understand why they are learning what they are learning and how to put that knowledge to use. STEM Literate students are ones who are putting the 21st century skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity into action.

STEM is a philosophy of teaching that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and problem-based learning. At Gregory, students participate in STEM activities in their classrooms, experiments in the Science Lab, and special challenge projects in the STEM Lab. Project-based learning and inquiry using robotics, coding, engineering, 3D printing, hands-on activities, and design thinking are happening throughout the school.

History of Gregory School

The International School at Gregory occupies two buildings, one built in 1931, the other in 1998. In 2009, through a bond referendum, the school was renovated and updated.

The original building was named Williston Industrial High School. It was constructed during the era of segregation for Wilmington's African-American population. Residents, whether formally educated or not, felt they had a stake in their local schools. In the "old days" teachers were required to make a home visit to each student before receiving their first pay check. By the 1950's the school had an established reputation for academic excellence, and Wilmington's black community realized that their school needed funds to increase classrooms and upgrade their library and science lab. Led by Dr. Hubert Eaton, they succeeded in convincing the Board of Education to call for a construction bond to build a new school. In 1954, the new high school opened on the lot adjacent to the historic, building and the original building became a junior high school. Today this building houses Williston Middle School. All of the Wilmington black population attended either junior high or high school at the Gregory historic building. That all ended when desegregation was finally enforced and black students were assigned throughout the community to predominately white schools.

In 1992, was proving difficult to attract suburban families to the inner-city area, and the school board was going to order the razing of Gregory School because of declining enrollment and the physical condition of the building. Instead of giving in, the staff, community and parents of Gregory worked together to reinvent their beloved school, and in the fall of 1993 it reopened as Gregory School of Science, Mathematics and Technology, the first designated magnet school in the county. This transition represented a tremendous amount of work and dedication on the part of many individuals, but Gregory once again enjoys a solid reputation as a diverse learning environment dedicated to the education of all students. In 1998, a second building was constructed because of increasing enrollment and many of our current students' parents and grandparents proudly point out that they are Gregory Alumni. The school truly serves as an anchor in the neighborhood and the gymnasium and auditorium are frequently utilized by the community.

In 2015-2016 school year the board decided to transfer the Spanish Immersion program from Forest Hills Global Elementary to Gregory changing the name to International School at Gregory. The International School at Gregory will open for students in the August 2016 school year. This move allows expansion, enabling NHCS to grow the Dual Immersion, offering Grades 6-8 through partnership with Williston Middle School. With science, technology, math and Spanish Immersion woven into the framework of the curriculum, The International School at Gregory will offer an exciting, hands-on and rigorous program for all of its students

Question & Answers

My child already speaks Spanish and does well in English, why should I consider this program?
The benefits of the program include:

exposure to other cultures and languages;
opportunity to become bilingual and bi-literate;
academic growth;
preparation to meet challenges in a global society;
increased self-esteem and confidence; and
career advantages in the future.

How much instruction will be delivered in Spanish? In English?
Your child will receive 50% of their instruction in both Spanish and English

In what language will art, music, PE, guidance, computers, and media be taught?
These classes will be taught in English. Support services such as AIG, EC and /or ESL are also delivered in English.

Are the Spanish teachers native Spanish speakers?
Yes. Teachers are provided thru the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) Program and must meet VIF and Department of Public Instruction certification and employment standards.

How can I help my child if I don’t speak the ‘second” language?
The most important thing you can do at home is read to your child in English. Reading in any language supports the acquisition of reading skills such as fluency, vocabulary building, and comprehension. Your child's homework should support what he has learned in class, so students should be able to tackle the assignment on their own. You will be able to identify what skill is being addressed and support learning in the skill, even if you can only help in English. Homework should not be a struggle if it is, please talk with your child's teacher

If my child is accepted to attend the International School at Gregory, will transportation be provided?
Yes, transportation will be provided

I have a kindergartener and a child in third grade. Will there be sibling privilege for my third grader?
Yes, there will be sibling privilege.

If my child enters the immersion program in kindergarten, will there be middle school opportunities as well?
Yes, the program is a K-8 model. Starting in 2016-17, native Spanish speakers who are proficient in reading and writing Spanish may apply to the 6th grade immersion program. In addition, non-native Spanish students may apply for language instruction in Spanish and/or Mandarin.