Welcome From the Head of School

Dear Parents and Prospective Families,   

As the Head of School, I personally welcome you to Glades Day School's website! I appreciate your interest in our school and trust you will find the information presented here helpful and insightful as you research our school. As a Glades Day School alumna, it is an honor and privilege of mine to serve my alma mater in this capacity since 2013. I am proud to be a part of the GATOR family where we cherish the traditions of the past and embrace the challenges of the future. I believe in the mission of Glades Day School, and I welcome you and your family to experience it firsthand. 

At Glades Day School, we recognize the unique individual differences of our students’ abilities, gifts, and needs and provide a safe, nurturing, and challenging environment for them to develop and grow into productive citizens and lifelong learners who are able to compete in a world of change. Our teachers are committed to high educational standards that prepare our students for college and the world of work. Together, our faculty and staff are caring and supportive educators who support each other and believe that together we can build and inspire tomorrow’s future.   

Glades Day School isn’t just a place; it’s an unparalleled experience that sets the foundation for very bright futures. Whether you are new to Glades Day School or a returning family, I encourage you to get involved and support our mission. Education is about people building strong relationships and working together to ensure that every student reaches his/her academic, spiritual, and athletic potential. We are blessed to have a remarkable faculty and staff, involved parents, and committed students that come together to make GDS a wonderful and unique place. 

Yours in Education,

Amie L. Pitts, '94
Head of School

"Education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire."   ~ W.B. Yeats

Glades Day School (GDS) is a fully accredited PK3-12th grade private school located in Western Palm Beach County. Our philosophy is to provide an outstanding educational environment that balances academic, athletic, and spiritual components to prepare students for a successful life. We are a nondenominational school that welcomes families of all faiths, yet we foster a Christian environment where students are taught ethical discernment and encouraged to achieve their God-given potential academically, athletically, and spiritually. Our diverse, well-qualified teaching faculty and staff are focused on engaging students and sparking their desire to learn while challenging them to a higher academic standard. Our smaller class sizes allow teachers to effectively differentiate instruction, maximize instructional time, and develop positive teacher-student relationships. On behalf of the GDS family, we warmly welcome you to tour our spacious 30-acre campus and experience the unique educational environment to affirm GDS as your school choice.

FCIS Accredited

Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) was founded in 1954 by a small group of independent private school leaders to establish high standards for nonpublic schools. It is a professional educational association that evaluates and accredits independent schools throughout the state of Florida. FCIS assures that each member school maintains high standards and its independence. In serving the students of Florida, FCIS promotes educational, ethical, and professional excellence on the part of owners, trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff in member schools.

History

Established in 1965

The story of where this legacy of a school began is shared in the following excerpt that was taken from “A HISTORY OF GLADES DAY SCHOOL” written by Mrs. Betty Thiebaud in 1972:

“During the early 1960s, interested and foresighted citizens began to realize the urgent need for private education in the Glades area. After extensive research and consideration, the PAHOKEE DAY SCHOOL was organized and granted a Certificate of Incorporation by the State of Florida on June 1, 1965, by the Secretary of State, Tom Adams.

The First Organizational Meeting of the Pahokee Day School, Inc. was held at the Elks Club in Pahokee on June 7, 1965. Don Griffith was selected as the Headmaster of the school. The Methodist Church Sunday School area in Pahokee was rented for $300 per month. Three teachers were selected for combined grades, one through six, with the feasibility of adding a seventh grade being considered. The Belle Glade parents donated a small bus to the school for the transportation of their thirteen (13) children.” 

Over a half-century later, Glades Day School continues to foster a unique educational environment that highlights academic excellence, athletic leadership, and extracurricular participation.

Mission

We COMMIT to provide a safe, family environment and to INSPIRE all students to LEAD academically, athletically, and spiritually.

In pursuit of this mission, Glades Day School will:

• Employ professional, qualified, and caring staff.
• Maintain facilities that ensure a safe environment.
• Utilize a curriculum that is aligned with our educational and spiritual standards.

Educational Vision

With an eye to the future, the faculty and administrators at Glades Day School will create an environment that promotes student success in school and in life.  Recognizing the need for students to have a strong academic base, teachers will stress skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and technology. The arts, physical education, foreign language, and career/technical education will be recognized for their importance in the development of the whole individual.

In pursuit of this vision, Glades Day School will:

• Prepare students to be productive citizens and lifelong learners, courageous and able to adapt in a world of change.
• Continue to build and nurture an enthusiastic and professional staff.
• Provide facilities that enhance and encourage the learning process.
• Base the use of new ideas and techniques on a foundation of proven practices.
• Invite and encourage parent and community involvement.

A graduate of Glades Day School will have a record of successful experiences and valuable academic preparation that will open many opportunities for the future.

Educational Philosophy

Glades Day School’s philosophy is to provide an outstanding educational environment that balances academic, athletic, and spiritual components which prepare its students for college and for life. 

The school fosters individual achievement and development through a wide variety of elective and enrichment courses, a strong program of extracurricular activities, and an opportunity to join a number of school-supported activities that encourage moral and spiritual development. Close ties between the administration, parents, teachers, and students are welcomed and encouraged in a pleasant, safe and supportive atmosphere.