Gifft Hill School

Anyone care to way in?

Well I'm sure they teach proper grammar so a student uses way or weigh correctly. 😉

ps. I miss-spelled Grammar 😮

There have been some administrative changes that aren't to everyone's liking. In a small community like this one, when people don't like other people, or the changes don't benefit their kids, the fur flies. It's still a good school, though. If they are elementary age, check out the Montessori program as well.

The biggest change in the last couple of years is a new headmaster. And I am of the opinion that this woman has helped straighten up the school in a lot of ways. The class sizes are small, which is a plus. Their are a some very dedicated people working for the school. But they tend to have a lot of staff that doesn't stay long. A lot of that has to do with teachers who move here and only stay a couple of years before moving back to the states. It's tough to make it on a teacher's salary anywhere, even harder on St. John. What grades will the kids be in? I can try and help out with specifics.... my son has been going to Gifft Hill for the last 7 years.

If your friend decides to home school, they should check into what needs to be done with that. I am pretty sure that she will have to 'register' with the VI DOE. She will have to give them a call. Even though their website has email addresses... I have never once had an email answered from anyone in the VI DOE.

That's becuase the VI DOE has no clue how to use a computer.......that's what happens when you give those kinds of jobs to family members rather than qualified individuals.

That's becuase the VI DOE has no clue how to use a computer.......that's what happens when you give those kinds of jobs to family members rather than qualified individuals.

The VI DOE has one of the largest (if not the largest) network in the US Virgin Islands. All 40+ schools are connected on their own private network, and they enjoy large Internet pipes on both STT and STX. I know many of the people in their IT Dept. What you are saying is unfair, and not true.

I work IT for the private schools here, I have had dealings with the BOE, I would trust a stranger on the street in Bovoni to watch a suitcase full of money for me before I trust anything that comes out of their mouths.

I thought the Montessori school on St. John was closing. What administrative changes are you talking about? I have heard that the school has a revolving door of employees and that the school makes promises to employees that they don't keep. Any other info to pass on?

Too bad there isn't a grammar check feature cause somebody needs a little one on one help .Hope the kids pay attention.;)

There is a Check Spelling feature for this message board.
It won't help you write/speak proper English though. *-)

Yes, I made an error. Mea culpa.
Of course, one could argue that I was asking people to politely insert themselves into the path of the conversation thus needing to find their "way in" as opposed to throwing their weight around in an arrogant fashion.

"Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it."

Playful banter...that's all....:P

I work IT for the private schools here, I have had dealings with the BOE, I would trust a stranger on the street in Bovoni to watch a suitcase full of money for me before I trust anything that comes out of their mouths.

so funny, so true, so very sad

The biggest change is with the headmaster. This is Judy Champerlain's 2nd year at the school. I don't really see her much, but I can tell that she has made a lot of changes. Some would say bad changes. I tend to think a lot of them were positive changes although hard changes. This is a very small community... change can be hard for us. I think that they have tightened up their hiring process. But I also think they should recruit more heavily in the local market... so you see... good/bad. There is a lot of that at the school, good/bad.

I don't know if the Montessori is still here to tel you the truth. I do know that it was only for the lower grades. There is a Montessori on STT if they want to make the trip.

@ polly Everyone makes mistakes. Nobody is perfect. I had a relative who was a teacher and always corrected my grammar and spelling while I was growing up and even as a grown adult.

Playful banter...that's all....:P

@Beeski Your right they do have good staff and a huge network. Also note VIDOE and BOE (Board of Education) though both education are two separate entities. BOE has like two buildings and administer their own equipment. VIDOE has like 50+ and IT staff on both islands. I even used one of their VOIP phones between islands direct extension dial and it was a clean call.