Our Community

One of Gifford's greatest strengths is our community. Our students have all landed here for various reasons, and each have their own story. But one theme is consistent: they lacked not only the resources to thrive in a traditional academic setting, but they also lacked a sense of belonging. Gifford has worked hard to create an environment for these students where they could not only succeed academically but socially as well.  

The Gifford School community emphasizes well-being, trust, respect, and accountability so that students can learn in a safe and nurturing environment. We respect individual differences, and everyone is a valued member of the community. We build a sense of community in many ways from school traditions like our Thanksgiving Feast to adventure-based challenges like our annual hikes.