FAQs
Frequently asked questions
School & Program
Where are you located?
We are located in the middle of a family-friendly and wonderfully diverse neighborhood called Akpan Odok nativity in Obot Ndom community. We are just south of Ikono, east of Uyo and blocks from the historic Okpopo Market.
What are the school hours?
Preschool hours are 9:00 am – 1:00 pm with extended care available from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Lower School hours are 8:30am – 3:15pm with extended care available from 7:30am – 4:30pm.
Middle School hours are 8:30am – 3:30pm with extended care available from 7:30am – 5:30pm
What is included in Tuition?
Please find all of our tuition details, including how to apply for Indexed Tuition, here.
Is GCS a Montessori School?
Our Preschool program blends traditional Montessori materials and approaches with the best of other early childhood approaches such as Reggio-Emilia, play and inquiry-based. The rest of our curriculum is not Montessori.
Is lunch included?
Yes. We provide a homemade lunch for all pupils as well as a healthy snack for our Preschool and Lower School pupils.
Does GCS have a school Bus?
We offer a fee-based school bus for riders of all ages, preschool through middle school. Routes and schedules are determined by the summer before school starts based on family interest level and location. Find out more on our transportation page.
What foreign languages are offered?
French language is part of our curriculum from Preschool 3 all the way through 8th grade. Sometimes other languages, like the Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Ibibio, are taught through subject like history, and the Nigerian language studies, in a bid to achieve unity in diversity.
What is so special about your music program?
Our music program is based on the Orff Schulwerk philosophy, an approach to education that involves all children in communal music making with an emphasis on creation and play. In the Orff approach, music class includes movement, dance, poetry, and regular connections to visual arts and other academic disciplines. At the core of Orff Schulwerk is the belief that musical imagination and creativity is present and can be developed in every child.
What Math Curriculum do you use?
The curricula used are Contexts for Learning Mathematics (Lower School) and Illustrative Mathematics by Open Up Resources (Middle School). The GCS program aligns with the Common Core standards for mathematics, and incorporates algebraic thinking even in the youngest grades.
Are Sports offered?
Health & Wellness is part of our regular curriculum from Preschool – 8th grade. Organized team sports – cross country, volleyball, basketball, and futsal – begin in Middle School (cross country begins in 5th grade).
Do pupils go on a field trip?
Yes. Our pupils take occasional field trips during the school day in order to enhance their curricular learning. Beginning in 3rd grade, students have 1-2 annual overnight field trips, culminating with our 8th grade civil rights tour in Uyo.
What type of extracurricular activities are available for my child?
We have a wide-range of curricular activities that stimulate the right home-feel for your child. Follow the link to our Extra-curricular Program above to view and digest on the versality of our well-tailored program just for your child.
Is there after-school care?
No, at the interim. Though we may adjust in the future to be able to meet every needs.
Is Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) offered, and are Muslim students allowed praying hours?
No. Grace Citadel Schools at the interim does not offer Islamic Religious Studies (IRS). We may update our curriculum to cover this field in the nearest future.
What type of opportunities or supports are available for pupils?
Your child will enjoy diverse learning programs with benefits that comes from outstanding performance and representation. We provide and sponsor active participation of our pupils in academic excursions, career building programs, scholarships, competitions and a learning curve that instils in them the needed exposure, consciences, and values that will better their now and the future.
What Curriculum do you do?
Grace Citadel Schools runs a dual curriculum; Nigerian and British curriculums. The Nigerian curriculum prepares learners to understand, resolve problems, and make decisions. It is based on the approved National Education Policy. The British curriculum, on the other hand, with its international perspective, and outcome-based education approach, assists learners to function on the higher cognitive domains of learning, expecting learners to: Identify and solve problems, using and applying critical, creative and innovative thinking skills; Be able to work effectively with other learners in a team or group; Collect information, analyze, organize and critically evaluate them; Communicate effectively in several ways, utilizing visual, symbolic and language skills and other techniques; Use science and cutting-edge technology effectively and show a sense of responsibility in their application towards the environment and people in the community; The contents of both curricula prepare learners with knowledge and insight into the world that consists of an integrated whole or totality of complex systems.
What is the state of Safety and Security in Grace Citadel Schools?
We prioritize the safety and security of our students through various measures, including stakeholder training, healthful and safer school environments, reliable school bus services, and comprehensive child protection policies. Our commitment extends to the security of lives and property within the school premises, a rigorous recruitment process, strong community liaison, and partnerships with Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
Frequently asked questions
Admissions & Policy Questions
What are your main entry point into school?
We admit a new class of approximately 20 students for Preschool 3 and add 2-4 spots in Preschool 4 and Kindergarten. We add 12-16 spots in 6th grade when we expand for Middle School. Other openings depend on attrition and space availability.
What is your cut-off point for admission?
Our cut-off point is approximately 50% of the overall aptitude score or mark.
Can I still apply after the application deadline?
Yes. You are welcome to apply after the application deadline, however, all applicants who apply before the deadline receive priority consideration. If you are not able to tour the school during the months of October through January, and we feel as though your family is a good fit for one of our openings, we will give you an official tour of the school when we bring your family in for an interview and assessment.
What is transition like for new pupils?
All new Preschool 3 pupils are “phased in” to our program throughout the first weeks of school so the teachers can give them extra attention as they settle in. All new pupils, Preschool through 8th grade, are paired with a current GCS “buddy family” the spring before they enter the school. New families are also invited to welcome events and other community-related events beginning the spring prior to entry.
Do you give priority to siblings, children of staff, alumni families?
GCS does give priority to children with siblings currently enrolled in the school, as well as the children of current staff members. Sibling and staff families must apply by their designated deadline, November 21st, for priority consideration. Sibling and staff applicants are still assessed to ensure that the GCS program is a match.
GCS values partnership and an understanding of the school’s mission and values. The relationship that exists with alumni and legacy families is valued and taken into consideration as part of an application, but these applications are considered in the main applicant pool, with no special application deadline or process.
What is the application/enrolment protocol for new students?
Check our admissions page for all information you need to know prior to your application. Be sure to follow every instructions accordingly to guide your application successfully.
Frequently asked questions
Preschool Questions
What is your preschool birthday cut-off?
We require all incoming Preschool 3’s to be three on or before September 1st of the year they wish to enroll. The same applies for Preschool 4 (i.e., four years old on or before September 1st) and Kindergarten (five years old on or before September 1st). We feel it is important to be consistent on this rule and do not make exceptions.
When should I apply? Do I have a long waitlist for your preschool program?
Unlike some other preschool programs, we do not keep a running waitlist. We simply ask that you apply the year before you wish to enroll your child. We do require all Preschool parenting adults to attend an information session (and ideally a tour) the fall prior to their desired enrollment. We assess all applications every year to find families who will be the best fit for the spaces that we have available. All applications remain active for two years. Therefore, if you are not offered admission the first time around, you are more than welcome to reactivate your application the following year. All we ask is that you update your existing application with any new information that will be helpful to our process (i.e., a new teacher evaluation, if applicable).
Does my child needs to be potty trained in order to start school?
Yes. We require that all children are potty trained before their first day of school.
Is your preschool program only full-time, or do you offer part-time?
GCS only offers a full-time program for preschoolers. The day begins by 9:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm. We find that the consistency of a full day program is most conducive to the educational success and personal growth of the child.
Frequently asked questions
Middle School
Can my child come and visit the school?
Yes, we offer optional half-day shadow visits for prospective Middle School pupils from November through February. Pupils are paired with an GCS “buddy” in the grade to which they are applying.
Where does a majority of the pupils come from?
The majority of our new Middle School pupils come from local public schools, and a few come from local independent schools.
What is your Middle School Assessment Day?
Middle School Assessment Day is just another opportunity for us to get to know your child. We invite all of our Middle School applicants to the school on a Saturday morning for an interview, math assessment, reading and writing assessment, and group activity.
Is there any booking for a child with special needs?
Absolutely. Please contact the Admissions office beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
School Community
Where do most families live?
Most of our families live in and around the quiet serenity of Obot Ndom Community: Ekom Iman, Ikot Oku Ikono, Abak Road, Mbiom Oku, etc. However, we do have families who live farther west in Abak as well as east in Uyo, and south in distance villages in Etinan. Since Grace Citadel Schools is not a live-in school, all families live in the outskirt where they are convenient drop-off and/or pick-up or commuted to and from the school location.
What does parenting adult participation look like in GCS?
We are a community-minded school that relies heavily on parenting adult participation and volunteerism. Since tuition does not cover the full cost of a child’s education at The Grace Citadel Schools, all families are expected to participate in the Annual Fund and in periodic capital campaigns at a level that is meaningful to them. We also hope that all school parenting adults will be personally involved as volunteers in a capacity appropriate for their interests, skills, and availability.
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