Growing Up Green Charter Schools believe students need to learn beyond the four walls of their classrooms to explore their world, history, and science. These experiences will synthesize their learning and deepen their critical thinking about themselves, and their community and their place in it.
The Growing Up Green Charter School (GUGCS) supports children to be conscious, contributing members of their community through a rigorous, anti-racist, anti-bias, curriculum and an engaging green culture.
Growing Up Green proudly serves students from across Queens in the neighborhoods of Astoria, Baisley Pond Park, Briarwood, Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, Long Island City, Rochdale, St. Albans, Sunnyside, and Woodside.
4
Schools
1500
Students
25
Home languages spoken
80%
of students receive an offer from their top 3 high school choice
Growing Up Green are FREE public schools serving students in Queens, NY. Find a school near you!
GUG I
Elementary School
Long Island City
39-27 28th Street
Queens, NY 11101
GUG I
Middle School
Long Island City
34-12 10th Street
Long Island City, NY 11106
GUG II
Elementary School
Jamaica
89-25 161st Street
Jamaica, NY 11432
GUG II
Middle School
Jamaica
84-35 152nd Street
Jamaica, NY 11432
Growing Up Green centers the student in their learning through thoughtful social emotional learning and an authentic, engaging, hands-on curriculum.
GUG believes students need to learn beyond the four walls of their classrooms to explore their world, history and science. These experiences will synthesize their learning and deepen their critical thinking about themselves, and their community and their place in it.
Promoting a GREEN culture and an understanding of sustainability are important components of our school’s mission. GREEN is a mindset. It is an internalization of a sustainable way of life, one in which community members are responsible for what they consume and the waste produced. These principles guide the social curriculum of GUG. Through project based learning, field trips and a student centered curriculum, GUG is fulfilling our mission to support children to be conscious, contributing members of their community through a rigorous, anti-racist, anti-bias, curriculum and an engaging green culture.
Kindness is being generous and considerate with ourselves and others.
Collaboration is the practice of working together.
Courage is the ability to bravely speak, think and act for what we believe.
Social Justice is our practice of actively taking a stance to fight against inequities and injustices to strive for a more equitable future for all.
"Growing Up Green is so special. The school supports children and families academically as well as emotionally, encouraging a growth mindset and building confidence for each child. It is a gift to our community to have a resource like Growing Up Green."
8th grade parent
“The staff have been great to our children, always good leadership, caring about the students and their future, going above and beyond, at least I can say from my experience with my child being a part of GUG since 3rd grade. Appreciate all that they have empowered my child.”
7th grade parent
"I admire the focus on GREEN principles and teaching kids basic life skills - from calming themselves in a heated moment to caring for each other and our environment."
Kindergarten parent
"I love the curriculum style of GUGCS and the culture of the school."
5th grade parent
"We are pleased with the school’s philosophies, methodologies, positive environment, sense of community and support from everyone working at GUG"
8th grade parent
"My daughters have always enjoyed school and we credit that to a caring and committed staff that has always put students at the center of everything they do. They focus on getting the most out of every child and building a strong community in the classroom."
4th and 6th grade parent
"We believe in the parent / school partnership [at GUG], and the importance for parents to be involved with and support their children’s school."
6th grade parent
"I appreciate the flexibility meeting my child where he is to help him grow."
4th grade parent
“GUG is the school that made him love school again. I mean it!”
5th grade parent
"We thought GUG would be a great fit for her and the school has exceeded our expectations! We are all pleased with the school’s philosophies, methodologies, positive environment, sense of community and support from everyone working at GUG and associated families. We believe in the parent / school partnership, and importance for parents to be involved with and support their children’s school."
Middle School Parent
"Every parent wants their child to transition well to middle school and to be comfortable and happy. Our daughter absolutely loves her school, her teachers and great circle of friends, so consequently, is enthusiastic and thriving."
Middle School Parent
"My children’s faces and names, as well as mine, are known by the whole school."
1st grade parent
"This school has a great supportive learning environment with highly skilled and passionate teachers and respectful staff. They seek out learning opportunities and focus on project based learning."
3rd grade parent
Support our students to become the sustainability & social justice leaders of tomorrow! At Growing Up Green, we fundraise together so every child has what they need to be successful. Your support furthers that mission and brings equity and equal access to our classrooms.
Our network of four schools serves communities in Queens, NY, featuring an elementary and middle school in Long Island City and another elementary and middle school in Jamaica. Explore the many opportunities to grow with GUG!
GUGCS places students at the center of their education through authentic, relevant, and rigorous learning experiences grounded in inquiry. Applying to Growing Up Green is free, easy, and only takes a few minutes.
