Teaching & Learning
Engage all students in learning that leads to academic growth, achievement, and readiness for high school, college, career, and life.
Raising the Bar: Our Commitment to Academic Excellence
Raising expectations and aiming higher is hard work — for both students and teachers. At Gulf Shores City Schools, academics are at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is for every student to reach their full academic potential by the time they graduate.
With higher standards come new methods of teaching, deeper learning, and more rigorous assessments. These changes are designed to better prepare students for success in college, careers, and life.
To support families in navigating these changes, Gulf Shores City Schools provides:
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Easy-to-understand fact sheets
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Frequently asked questions about academic standards and testing
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Direct links to Alabama’s College and Career Ready Standards
We believe that when families are informed and involved, students are more likely to succeed. Together, we can meet — and exceed — these higher expectations.
We Encourage Our Students To:
- Dream big
- Learn with intent
- Realize their own potential
- Enhance the lives of others
- Be inclusive, inventive and curious
We Do That Through:
- Continually transforming the way we teach and learn
- Exploring new ideas and approaches to learning
- Being rigorous with assessment and learning outcomes
- Being inventive in the way we teach
- Offering individualized learning paths
- Integrating technology in all that we do
- Fostering and celebrating diversity
Our elementary school instructional program is guided by the belief that good schools nurture a child's intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth. In our classroom practice, we engage children in learning experiences that are relevant, purposeful, and challenging. We strive to have children master content knowledge and skills in a learning environment that respects children's developmental needs, interests, learning styles and differences. Recognizing that learning is constantly evolving, we scaffold instruction and assist students in making connections with prior learning. With a strong foundation of learning in place, students are challenged to form new understandings and to create new meaning.
Academic Links
Content Standards and Curriculum
Gulf Shores City Schools content standards and curriculum align with the standards outlined in the Alabama State Course of Study. You may learn more about state standards by clicking on the Standards tab on the Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX) website.
Information regarding textbooks, curriculum, materials, and instructional resources used in Gulf Shores City Schools is linked below.
NBC Teachers
Gulf Shores City Schools are proud of their teachers and how they continue learning as they teach! Click here to view the Present and Future National Board Certified Teachers.