Mission
The mission of the Georgetown Island Education Foundation is to support and enhance the educational experience of all students of Georgetown, Maine. The foundation funds programs and resources beyond that of the regular school budget. It is the vision of the foundation to spark positive, lasting attitudes toward exploration and learning through exposure to a variety of diverse, creative and challenging educational opportunities.
History
In September, 2010, in response to Maine school redistricting and declining enrollment, a group of parents, educators and concerned residents of Georgetown came together to create a foundation to support, enrich, and enhance the educational programs at Georgetown Central School (GCS). The Georgetown Island Education Foundation (GIEF) was incorporated in March, 2011, with a wholly volunteer Board and the mandate to use all funds raised to address the larger mission of growing educational opportunities for Georgetown students in all curricular areas.
Initially, grants were made to develop significant new programs within the school, such as robotics, the Green House, and partnerships with Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and Chewonki. While this remains one focus of funding, GIEF has also developed grant opportunities that serve four other educational needs: innovative curricular programs, both large and small, developed by individual teachers at GCS; innovative educational programs and projects for Georgetown students developed by adults outside of the school; partnerships with and support for educational organizations serving Georgetown students of all ages; and student-driven educational projects developed by Georgetown students in grades 3-12. The latter program, Student Grants, is the only one of its kind in the state.
With the strong support of the community, the Foundation continues to grow and adapt in response to the needs of the Georgetown Central School and the island’s wider learning community.
Georgetown Central School
The Georgetown Central School ranks in the top 20% of schools in Maine. Beyond the core curriculum, students access:
Art, Music, Computer Literacy, Wooden Boat Building, Project Adventure, Annual Visiting Artist Program, Greenhouse and Garden, Spelling and Geography Bees, Math and Robotics Competitions, Battle of the Books, Archery, Ice Fishing, Leadership and Theater Club.
Georgetown Island, Maine
Georgetown is an island home to 1,020 residents, and can be reached by bridges coming from the city of Bath. Georgetown includes the villages of Five Islands, Bay Point, Marrtown, West Georgetown, Robinhood, Kennebec Point and Indian Point. Reid State Park is a well known Maine State treasure.