Goodwillie Environmental School

The Goodwillie Environmental 5/6 School is located within the Forest Hills School District, one of our Nation’s great public school systems! The staff at Goodwillie is committed to knowing every student’s interests and gifts, and to providing the educational opportunities that will maximize each one’s preparation for the future.

In addition, our mission is to support, engage, and have all students achieve their individual potential. We will accomplish this by providing all learners with 21st century skills that will ensure a meaningful and successful experience while at Goodwillie as well as in the community.

Goodwillie Students

Love being outside in all kinds of weather
Enjoy working with others but can work independently as well
Are comfortable with or curious about nature
Enjoy physical activity
Are self-disciplined and persistent about learning
Are interested in science and investigation
Learn best through hands-on experiences

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I nominate my student?

A letter will be mailed in late February to all Fourth grade families in the Forest Hills Public Schools. This letter will explain the nomination/selection process and will include an online parent/guardian nomination form to submit if your student is interested.

Who is eligible to apply?

Students must be enrolled in Forest Hills by January 31st of their fourth grade year in order to apply for Goodwillie.

How are students selected?

Students are selected using the following:

Student Must be Entering Fifth Grade
Parent Nomination/Evaluation
Teacher Evaluation
Student Self Evaluation
Student Interview
Ecological Survey
Lottery for students who meet the criteria
Enrollment for GES is based on 4th grade numbers from each of the individual elementary schools.

Do you cover the core subjects - math, science, language arts, and social studies?

Yes, in an integrated and project-based format. Our curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards/FHPS Curriculum Standards.

How much time do you spend outside?

Our outdoor activities fluctuate daily due to projects, artists, and the weather.

What about specials?

Music
GES offers band & orchestra to 6th grade students. In addition, 5th grade performs two musicals and 6th grade one musical each year.

Physical Education
Physical education is integrated into everything we do. Activities include but are not limited to the daily hike in from the bus stop, chicken chores, shoveling snow, caring for school grounds, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Kids typically go home tired each and every day!

World Language
We do not offer a specific world language class, however our students are exposed to various cultures and their languages through our 5th grade Native American project, and our 6th grade International project.

Art
Our Artists in Residence (AIR) program is unique to Goodwillie. The program enhances the curriculum by providing students with a connection to real life specialists from within the community, who share their excitement and depth of knowledge with students, while integrating their expertise into curriculum projects.

Do you offer hot lunch?

We don’t have a cafeteria with daily hot lunch, but we offer a district lunch option, which is delivered by Food Service on a daily basis. Students still use Meal Magic to purchase a district lunch.

Do students really eat outside every day?

Yes, unless there is a thunderstorm, torrential downpour, or severe sub-zero temperatures.

What about transportation?

There are regional bus stops on all sides of the district (Central, Eastern, & Northern). This site acts as a hub for your child to then get on a bus to GES. Parents can either drive their son or daughter to the hub, or their child can take the neighborhood middle/high school bus to the hub. The afternoon transportation is similar to the morning; students are bused to ⅚ buildings (Central Woodlands, Knapp Forest, Northern Trails and Orchard View) where parents have the option of picking them up or students may ride neighborhood buses to existing stops in the neighborhoods in those attendance areas.

What about camps?

During the two year journey at Goodwillie, students will attend three camps. One in the fall of 5th grade, and two (fall & spring) during their 6th grade year. 5th grade camp is a three day/two night adventure that consists of canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The students culminating experience for their Goodwillie journey is 6th grade spring camp, which is a six day/five night trip that incorporates backpacking approximately 20 miles through the dunes in under three days, and canoeing approximately 20 miles in a two day span.