St. George's Independent Schools

St. George's Independent School was founded in 1959 as St. George's Episcopal School and now has campuses in Collierville, Germantown, and Memphis, Tennessee.

History

The school was affiliated with the Episcopal Church until 2004. The founding church and the school board of trustees disagreed on several issues, including who should appoint board members. After several threatened lawsuits and board member removals, the two sides agreed to an amicable separation as the school purchased the church property, and the church agreed to relocate. The school then renamed itself as St. George's Independent School. Tuition depends on which campus the child attends, and the grade of the child. (The Memphis campus is designed as a campus for lower income children, and many scholarship opportunities are available.)

The Germantown campus was built in 1959, and is the oldest of the three campuses. It serves grades prekindergarten through fifth grade.

The Memphis campus was the next to be founded, in 2001. It (as of Fall 2007) will serve grades prekindergarten through fourth grade.

The Collierville campus was founded in 2002, and serves grades six through 12. The Collierville campus has two wings, which divide the school into middle school (grades 6-8), and upper school (grades 9-12). The school runs on a trimester schedule, instead of the regular semester schedule.

The school's original mascot was the dragon, but in 2001 an additional mascot was added, the Gryphon. This was due to the fact that the high school was opening in Collierville, Tennessee, and Collierville High School was already known as the Dragons.

Mission Statement

the St. Georges mission statement is as follows:

"St. George's Independent School is a coeducational school of excellence preparing students for a life of learning and meaningful contribution through dedication to high academic achievement and the development of moral character reinforced by Judeo-Christian values."

Academics

Academics at the Collierville campus follow a traditional high school curriculum and the graduation requirements are as follows:

*English: 4 units (12 Trimesters)
*History/Social Sciences: 3 units (9 trimesters)
*Mathematics: 3 units (9 trimesters)
*Language: 3 units (9 trimesters)
*Arts: 1 1/3 (4 trimesters)
*Religion 1 (3 trimesters)
*Senior Independent Study(see section below): 2/3 (2 trimesters)
*Electives: 2 2/3 (9 trimesters)

enior Independent Study

The Senior Independent Study is one of the requirements which makes St. Georges different from many other American high schools. It consists of two parts; the independent part (done first trimester of senior year), in which all students must write a 15-25 page research paper on a topic of their choice, using MLA citations and formatting. The second part is a group project done in the second, winter trimester.

Laptop Program

All students at the Collierville campus are required to have a laptop computer and bring it to all of their classes. For students who do not own and do not wish to buy laptops, the school provides laptops. The fee for these laptops is included in student's tuition and uses a lease to own program.

Athletics

St. George's competes in Division 2, Region A of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) along with:

*Bishop Byrne High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
*David Brainerd Christian School (Chattanooga)
*Davidson Academy (Nashville)
*First Assembly Christian School (Cordova)
*Lighthouse Christian (Millington)
*Catholic High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
*Tipton Rosemark Academy (Millington)
*Rossville Christian
*Southern Baptist Educational Center (Southaven, Mississippi)
*St. Andrews (Sewanee)
*University School of Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee)

In 2007, the varsity golf team won the school's first state title in any sport.

Shortly after, the boy's cross country team took second overall in state and also won the individual state title.

After that, the varsity football team won the state championship as well.

Boy's varsity soccer won the state title in the division in the spring of 2008.

External links

* [http://www.sgis.org/ St. George's Official Website]

References

Citation
title = St. Georges Independent Schools
url = http://www.sgis.org
accessdate = 2008-01-09