About Us

Welcome to the International School at Gregory!

The International School at Gregory offers a dynamic K–8 Spanish dual language immersion program designed to develop bilingual, biliterate, and culturally aware students. Through a rich and engaging curriculum, students gain the skills and perspectives needed to thrive as 21st-century global citizens, innovators, and creators.

Conveniently located near downtown Wilmington, the school is within walking distance of museums, art galleries, historic sites, and government buildings—extending learning beyond the classroom. Our campus features inviting outdoor learning spaces, including an expansive courtyard, a dedicated K–5 playground, and access to adjoining practice fields. At Gregory, students of all academic levels are supported and challenged to reach their highest potential academically and socially through school and community-wide activities,

Our diverse student body benefits from a wide range of academic opportunities, including an Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program. Students can further enrich their learning by participating in events such as Science Fair, Science Olympiad, History Day, Black History Quiz Bowl, and Battle of the Books. The school also features a historic auditorium and a large multipurpose gymnasium with a stage. To support modern learning, students participate in field trips to numerous locations in and around Wilmington. Seventh students participate in the University of North Carolina Greensboro mock model UN day to debate and interact in Spanish with other DL/I students, 8th grade students culminate their time at Gregory with a trip to DC and participation in the National Mock Model UN program. Additionally, students have access to the latest technology, including one-to-one iPads for grades K–5, laptops for middle school, and campus-wide wireless internet access.

DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION-MISSION STATEMENT

At The International School @ Gregory, our mission is to empower every student to achieve academic excellence, bilingualism, and biliteracy through a dynamic Spanish Dual Language Immersion program. We are committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding, nurturing global citizens, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where all students thrive.

Vision

Our vision for Gregory is that students will embrace diversity to reach their full potential and lead productive lives as global citizens in a complex and changing world.

WHAT IS A DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION?

Dual Language Immersion refers to teaching and learning in two languages. Students will be taught part of everyday in Spanish by a Spanish-speaking teacher and in English by an English-speaking teacher. Students are taught the same curriculum as their peers and are expected to master the same state standards while getting instruction in both languages. The Spanish and English-speaking teachers will collaborate on teaching all subject material.

CORE BELIEFS

Academic Achievement - students will be at or above grade level in core subjects.
Bilingualism - students will be effective communicators in both languages.
Biliterate - students will be able to read and write proficiently in both languages.
Sociocultural Competency - students will be engaged in a unique learning community that will teach positive cross-cultural attitudes/behaviors and high levels of self-esteem, thus preparing them to become successful global leaders and learners.
Community Engagement - we believe we must engage parents and community stakeholders in order to maximize our educational impact.

School Hours: 7:40 - 2:35.
Students may enter the school building at 7:15 am.

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.

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 through the Participate Learning Program and must meet 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.

For information related to discrimination and harassment, see NHCS policies 1710 - Discrimination and Harassment Prohibited by Federal Law and 1725 - Title IX Sexual Harassment