Governor French , Inc. 219 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62220 2020-2021 Type: Coeducational -preparatory Grades: age 3 – grade12 Enrollment: School total: 115; Upper School: 17 Head of School: Kim Powers

THE SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM the Academy developed the Teaching Governor French Academy was The State of Illinois and the North Audition; candidates are not employed founded in 1983 by a small group of Central Association of and until they have demonstrated their skills teachers who were dissatisfied with the before students in a classroom setting. have recognized the effective- educational opportunities available to ness of The Academy’s alternative The Academy views itself as a college-bound students in southwestern system through its certification and community of students. Therefore, Illinois. The Academy began with 11 accreditation of its non-graded status. faculty members have responsibilities freshmen and sophomores and grew to its With their parents’ approval, students are that involve them in student activities, full enrollment within four years. placed in a class position that is best from athletics to clubs, and bring them in The Academy is named after Augustus suited to their needs on the basis of close contact with every student. C. French, an early governor of the state. maturity and academic skills. Governor Known for his commitment to education, French Academy is able to take this COLLEGE PLACEMENT Governor French taught law for several highly individualized approach because years before the Civil War. Although college placement is seen as of its dedicated staff and small class size. an integral part of the Academy’s The campus of Governor French Students are assigned formal grade mission, Governor French Academy Academy is located in Belleville, Illinois, distinctions twice during their time at the makes every effort to do more than a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. In Academy, eighth and twelfth grades. simply get a student into college. All keeping with its philosophy of providing Promotion and graduation approvals are students receive counseling to see that a demanding academic education that is determined by majority vote of the they are admitted to the college that is immediately relevant to the modern faculty. The accumulation of credits is best for their talents and goals. All Upper world, The Academy has an urban not a criterion for graduation. Rather, the School students participate in the setting, close to the St. Clair County faculty votes on whether the student is presentations made by numerous visiting Courthouse and government center. prepared to go on to the next grade level. college representatives. In addition, a Governor French Academy serves All students, from to library of college materials is available. students from kindergarten preparatory twelfth grade, study five disciplines: Since the first graduating class, over through their twelfth-grade graduation. English, Mathematics, Science, Foreign 96% of its students have been admitted to The Academy’s manner of instruction Language, and Social Sciences. college. Graduates of past classes have recognizes each student’s individuality The Academy operates on a two- been admitted to over one hundred through extremely flexible teaching semester system, with an optional institutions of higher learning, ranging techniques within the framework of a summer for early grades and a from MIT, Notre Dame and Harvard to highly disciplined curriculum. six-week summer institute for all grade Johnson & Wales School of Culinary Governor French Academy is registered levels. Allied divisions of the Academy Arts and the Curtis Institute of Music. with the Illinois State Board of Education include services for tutoring and other and is accredited by AdvancED (formerly alternative educational needs. Students STUDENT BODY AND CONDUCT the North Central Association- receive weekly progress reports to take The 2019-2020 school year numbered Commission on Accreditation and School home. Transcripts reflect the final approximately 115 students with 17 of Improvement (NCA-CASI). semester grades. Parents are encouraged those students in the Upper School. There Additionally, the Academy was on the to communicate with all members of the is an even distribution of male and AdvancED’s National Advisory Academy’s staff. Committee on College Preparatory female students. Approximately 16

Schools when the organization was NCA percent of the students have parents who - CASI. FACULTY AND ADVISORS come from countries other than the United States. The Academy has been approved by the The faculty consists of 14 members, Illinois State Board of Education and the several of whom hold master’s degrees. Discipline is a function of the State Teacher Certification Board as There is a high degree of collegiality, in Headmaster’s office. The relationship Providers of Professional Development, part because the Academy’s between the Upper School students and and was designated by The Oxford- individualized program requires the Lower School students serves to Cambridge for International continual consultation among faculty civilize both ends of the age spectrum. Examinations as an “Invigilator” for members. The youngest students emulate the oldest, advanced level module examinations for Governor French Academy seeks to and the oldest recognize the English, Literature, History and employ faculty members who know how responsibility that this places on them. Psychology. to teach effectively. To achieve this end, Page 2 ______

Students are required to meet Lower and Governor French Academy uses the ADMISSIONS INFORMATION Upper School uniform clothing extracurricular time built into students’ Governor French Academy actively standards. schedules to integrate them into the seeks a diverse student body and world around them. The local admits students without regard to race, ACADEMIC FACILITIES community has benefited from the task color, creed, gender, and ethnic or Governor French Academy campus of community service that the national origin. Applicants are consists of the 22,000-square-foot main Academy has set for itself. considered for admission on the basis academic building, a 4,000-square- of interviews with the parents and foot educational annex and the Oliver DAILY LIFE student. The interviews serve as fact finding events for the Academy and as Curt Joseph Memorial Theatre. This The day begins at 8 a.m., when all a means for parents to evaluate the 7,500 square foot building adds an students attend convocation under the Academy’s alternative approach to expanded theatre, a fine arts gallery, direction of the Headmaster. Classes education. and additional classroom and follow immediately and continue until conference facilities. Jules Park is a the lunch break from 11:00 a.m. to 12 secure, enclosed outdoor play area for p.m. Classes resume at 12 p.m. and APPLICATION TIMETABLE The Academy’s younger students. continue until 4 p.m. Upper School The Director of Admissions will classes continue until 3:00 p.m., at meet with any interested party at any ATHLETICS which time extracurricular activities, time during the year. Because the Health and fitness are part of school including athletics, commence. Academy promises that classes will be life at the Governor French Academy Students are dismissed at 4:00 p.m. We held to sizes that have proved highly and include physical fitness activities also offer extended hours that allow for effective, some qualified students for all students in through a 7:15 a.m. drop-off and pick-up as late may be denied admission. The Form III. as 5:00 p.m. Students requiring before Academy will try to advise students and/or after school care are under the whose needs it cannot meet of other Athletics, for Form IV students and supervision of a teacher at all times options. all Upper School students, are where academic activities continue. mandatory to fulfill state physical Charges incur for the before and after education requirements. All athletics school programs. are scheduled after the completion of ADMISSIONS the academic day. Form IV students CORRESPONDENCE SUMMER PROGRAMS are required to participate in one sport Governor French Academy each year. Upper School students GFA’s Summer Institute offers a six- 219 West Main Street participate in two sports per year and week curriculum, beginning the middle may choose from basketball, of June. The Institute is particularly Belleville, Illinois 62220 volleyball, and intramural softball. helpful to students who want to move Drama is also offered. ahead in their studies or catch up in Telephone: 618-233-7542 areas of difficulty. The focus of Fax: 618-233-0541 Summer Institute is on math, reading EXTRACURRICULAR and English skills, but it may also offer email: [email protected] OPPORTUNITIES work in science. The student body for website: www.governorfrench.com Governor French Academy requires Summer Institute consists of equal Form IV and Upper School students to numbers of Academy students and participate in academic, as well as students from other schools. nonacademic, activities. They may

choose from a diverse list, which includes drama club, Mu Alpha Theta, FINANCIAL INFORMATION science and technology clubs such as All students must pay a non- Worldwide Youth in Science and refundable registration fee. Current Engineering, tuition for the 2020-2021 academic Based on academic standing and year is $7,144.20. There will be a interviews with the Headmaster, monthly charge to cover book rentals seniors may qualify for the senior and purchases, supplies, field trips, project. It allows them to focus some physical education, drama and athletic of their time and effort on challenges of fees. Additional charges will be their own design. Senior projects have incurred for the required school included political internships, hospital uniforms, standardized testing, service, and college-level course work. yearbooks, and charges associated with high school graduation.