The historic Village of Greenwich is in Washington County, New York and located near the battlegrounds that led to American independence in 1776. Nineteenth century storefronts line Main Street, and the downtown area is surrounded by stately Greek Revival and Victorian homes.
Here, in the southern part of Washington County, the rolling hills, rivers, sweeping mountain views, and quiet beauty underscore the drama of the changing seasons.
While Washington County is known for its dairy farms and orchards, Greenwich offers more than fresh produce to its nearly 5,000 residents. Loaded with antique shops, artisans, and fine dining, Greenwich has a lively artistic community, a close-knit lifestyle, a well-regarded public school system, access to quality health care, universities, community colleges, and a vibrant business community.
Anglers know Greenwich because it is nestled along the banks of the Batten Kill, widely regarded as one of the most technically difficult fly-fishing streams in America. Skiers enjoy the town's close proximity to the best resorts in New York and Vermont. Golfers are discovering the region after it was named one of the two best places to live and golf by Golf Digest.
Easy access to many prominent colleges and universities, along with year-round cultural and recreational opportunities afforded by nearby Saratoga Springs, Lake George, the Capital District, Manchester, VT and the Adirondack and Green Mountains, make Greenwich a highly desirable place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
History
This area was settled by European Americans after the American Revolutionary War, as migrants moved into New York from New England. The community was originally named Whipple City after Job Whipple, the owner of a successful cotton mill (1804). In 1809, the community set itself off from the town by incorporating as Union Village. Cotton and textile manufacturing, based on cotton from the Deep South, continued to be a profitable industry in the village for some time through the 19th century. It connected the villagers to the economy of King Cotton. In 1867, the village changed its name to Greenwich.
An important station of the Underground Railroad was located in Greenwich, and local people helped fugitive slaves reach freedom in upstate New York or Canada. A historical marker, containing a map showing locations of safe houses and commemorating Greenwich's contribution to the Underground Railroad, was dedicated in 2004.
United States President Chester A. Arthur attended prep school in Greenwich while his father served here as pastor at Bottskill Baptist Church.
The Village of Greenwich Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Educational Programs
Greenwich has clearly outlined its vision for a successful school. "Scholarship, Character and Community: Cultivating the Future'' is at the core of its beliefs. Greenwich has maintained a high ranking in the Albany Business Review, most recently earning a place in the top 10% of all school districts in the nation.
Preparation for college and career readiness begins at the elementary schools! Students engage in weekly instruction in special areas such as art, music, technology, library, and physical education. In addition, standards-based instruction drives programming beyond the traditional classroom. Students may participate in STEAM after-school activities, as well as band and chorus. The PreK program for district residents began in January 2020, expanded to a five-hour program in 2021, and is an instrumental foundational component for the success of our students.
The Junior-Senior High School offers a diverse curriculum that includes strong support for student success. There are nine AP classes, six college courses and an effective and progressive Academic Intervention Services program. Additionally, the high school houses a nationally recognized FFA agriculture education program. In 2021 100% of students graduated with a Regents diploma and 69% achieved Advanced Regents diplomas.
Greenwich has advanced technology including a total of 500 computer workstations, which includes classroom workstations and Smart Boards for faculty, student workstations in most classrooms, middle grade and high school computer labs, a CAD lab, business lab, and state-of-the-art media center.
Extensive interscholastic, extracurricular K-12, and athletics programs are offered to supplement the regular school day. These programs are popular, as over 75% of our students in grades 7-12 participate in such activities, and successful (Greenwich athletic teams have earned fourteen New York State Championships).
Ultimately, Greenwich Central School offers a world class program which ensures student success and provides a wide range of offerings and activities for students of all ability levels and interests.
School District Profile
The GCSD comprises the Town of Greenwich and the Town of Easton and portions of six other area towns. One campus, centrally located in the Village of Greenwich, accommodates three separate buildings: Primary (Pre-K-2) school; Middle Grade (3-6) building; and Junior / Senior High School (7-12) along with the athletic fields and transportation department.
The district has an excellent staff of 103 teachers and 101 support personnel to serve about 900 students.
We have an active PTSA and a community-based intervention program offering alternative activities for students.
Clubs and Activities
The district offers a wealth of clubs, activities and athletic teams...
Jr. / Sr. High School (grades 7-12)
Art Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor: Mr. Helmig
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Art Club is a community of students who enjoy working with visual art materials. In addition to providing a space for individual student work, we collectively create a variety of school related visual products.
Drama Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor(s): Miss Fitzgerald, Mr. Ortiz-Reyes; Mr. Brierley
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Drama Club is open to students in grades 7-12 who have an interest in singing, acting, dancing, set building and painting, costuming, props, public relations and technical aspects of theatre! The club puts on 2 musical productions a year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring.
Equality Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor: Mrs. Hoffman
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The Equality Club engages in activities to raise awareness for issues related to equality. We also work to support programs and organizations that strive to help others.
FBLA
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Open to students in grades 7-12.
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Advisor: Mrs. Belden
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FBLA is a professional student organization that enhances the knowledge of business and real world skills in its members. The clubs main focuses are, getting connections throughout the community, learning skills that can help you with your future and giving back to your community.
FFA (Jr. High)
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Open to students in grades 7-8
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Advisor(s): Mr. Kelly and Miss Berghorn
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Members meet at 2:30 for a monthly meeting. Members also have the opportunity to compete in Leadership Development Contests.
FFA (Sr. High)
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Open to students in grades 9-12
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Advisor(s): Mr. Kelly and Miss Berghorn
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Students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in an agriculture class are eligible for membership. Members meet once a month to carry out chapter business and enjoy games and entertainment. Members also participate in multiple community service projects and have the opportunity to attend FFA State and National Conventions. Members are strongly encouraged to develop their potential for premier leadership by participating in Leadership Development Events.
French Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor: Mrs. Jacobs
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French Club usually meets twice a month and is available to any student who would like to experience French culture and holiday tradition that may not be extensively covered in the classroom. French Club members enjoy hands-on cultural activities and also perform one fundraiser a year that helps to send a Haitian child to school for an academic year. Haiti is a French-speaking country the poorest in the Western Hemisphere and education is mandatory but not free. French Club members also enjoy singing 2 French songs at the GCSD Winter Concert.
Hope Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor(s): Mrs. Aierstok and Miss Nellis
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The Hope in Hope Club stands for helping others and providing empathy. Our club works to create and atmosphere of kindness in our school and community. Our goal is to help our school community feel loving, safe, and connected. Activities range from working in the Sunshine Shop, our school's free thrift shop, to writing kind notes in sidewalk chalk in our school's entry. We love spreading kindness!
Junior High Jazz Band
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Open to students in grades 7-8
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Advisor: Mrs. Pandori
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An extra curricular instrumental ensemble that meets once a week after school. Any student who is a member of concert band is welcome to join, non-band-members by invitation. Students play a variety of different styles of music such as jazz, blues, rock, Latin , swing and pop. Students will learn the basics of improvisation.
Math League
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Open to students in grades
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Advisor: Miss Lourie
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Math League meets once each month between November and March to compete against schools in the Washington, Warren, Saratoga County Math League. All 9th - 12th grade students are welcome, but students typically do not join until they are taking Algebra 2 because they do not yet know enough math to solve all of the problems.
Mock Trial / Debate Club
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Open to students in grades 9-12
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Advisor: Mrs. Saunders
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The Mock Trail team competes locally against schools in the Warren/Washington County area in the New York State High School Mock Trails Program and then can advance regionally and to the statewide event. Practice for the event is during the fall and winter with Mock Trial competitions beginning late February and continuing through February and April. The NYS High School Mock Trial Program is a joint venture of The New York Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association, and the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program. In this educational program, high school students gain first-hand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures by competing in . Thousands of students participate each year. Objectives of the tournament are to: Teach students ethics, civility, and professionalism; further students' understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system; improve proficiency in basic life skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; promote better communication and cooperation among the school community, teachers and students and members of the legal profession, and heighten appreciation for academic studies and stimulate interest in law-related careers. For more information visit: https://nysba.org/nys-mock-trial/ .
Newspaper Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor: Mrs. Bristol
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The Newspaper Club is made up of 7-12 graders who love to write in order to showcase their creativity, as well as highlight a promote the programs, events and accomplishments of the students and staff of GCS. Students in the Newspaper Club meet every other month to discuss upcoming events, create deadlines, create writing, and give and receive feedback on their writing. In order to remain in the club, students must create one writing piece per semester.
Pit Orchestra
SADD Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor: Miss Cornell
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Students Against Destructive Decisions is a club that is dedicated to the safety and wellness of all students. SADD club members advocate for healthy decision-making. Students collaborate to make our community safer and healthier, one positive decision at a time. SADD club members work to educate the student body regarding important topics including mobility safety, substance abuse prevention and personal health an safety.
Science Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor(s): Mrs. Dixson and Mrs. Barber
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Science Club is a club committed to fun activities and learning opportunities in Science. Students compete in STEM challenges and activities. Members direct and plan their activities from Halloween Science costume contests to chess tournaments.
Senior High Jazz Band
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Open to students in grades 9-12
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Advisor: Mrs. Pandori
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An extra curricular instrumental ensemble that meets once a week after school. Any student who is a member of concert band is welcome to join, non-band-members by invitation. Students play a variety of different styles of music such as jazz, blues, rock, latin, swing and pop. Students will practice and refine the art of improvisation. The members of jazz band will prepare music for concert performances.
Spanish Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor(s): Mrs. Gargano and Mrs. Wilson
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Spanish Club is open to any students in grades 7-12 who are interested in Spanish and Latin American culture. Activities that we have done in the past include movies, holiday projects, trivia, cooking and games.
S.T.O.P. Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor(s): Mrs. Dixson and Mrs. Barber
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S.T.O.P. or Students To Oppose Pollution is a club that is committed to recycling and environmentally sustainable solutions for our school and local community. STOP was founded by Linda Austin in the 1970's and has been using trash and recycling to fund charities both within the school and community at large. The club works to plan our yearly "No Trash November" fundraiser to collect returnables through CLYNK to donate money to the local food pantry. The have also worked to create electronics recycling days, paper drives etc.
Student Council
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor(s): Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Townsend
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Class officers are required to join; we ask for representatives from all other groups and anyone else who is interested. We help with fall spirit week and also host a corn hole contest to raise money for Operation Rudolph. Members help with Operation Rudoph by shopping and wrapping. Members also attend the Greenwich comprehensive plan committee, having students act as reporters for election night results etc.
Tech Club
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Open to students in grades 7-12
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Advisor: Mr. Califano
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Tech Club is available for students in grades 7-12 interested in learning about live sound and lighting. Students are responsible for lighting and sound design for Drama Club productions, school concerts and other events.
Varsity Choir Ensemble
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Open to students in grades 9-12
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Advisor: Mr. Ortiz-Reyes
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The Varsity Choir is a mixed-voice vocal group composed of 16-20 experienced chorus singers. This ensemble is designed to provide singers additional performance opportunities throughout the school year. Any student with experience in choral singing and desires to develop their musical skills must pass the audition to be placed in this choir. A variety of musical styles are performed throughout the year including A Cappella-Barbershop, secular and sacred holiday, contemporary and classical music. Music reading, singing techniques and theory knowledge are also developed during the duration of this course.
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Additional performance opportunities include singing at the Winter Holiday Concert, the Pops Concert, Singing Valentines, as well as the Spring Chorus Concert. These are rewarding performance opportunities for students who enjoy singing and/or want to learn how to improve their singing.
Yearbook Club
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Open to students in grades 11-12
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Advisor: Miss Lourie and Ms. Carner
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Over the course of the year, students work together with the advisor(s) to design and create the yearbook which is published and distributed at the end of the school year. Each student is given a job/jobs over the course of the year such as: collecting data, completing sales of books, completing sales of parent ads, designing pages, entering senior data and taking photographs. Meetings are typically held each Friday morning from 7-8 am in the Media Center.
Athletic Teams - Fall
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Cheering - Varsity
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Cross Country - Varsity and JV
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Football - Varsity and Modified
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Field Hockey - Varsity, JV and 4 - 6 Intramural Field Hockey
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Golf - Varsity and Jr. High
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Soccer - Boys and Girls, Varsity and Modified
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Tennis - Girls Varsity
Athletic Teams - Winter
Athletic Teams - Spring
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Baseball - Varsity, JV and Modified
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Lacrosse - Boys and Girls, Varsity, JV and Modified
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Softball - Varsity, JV and Modified
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Tennis - Boys Varsity
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Track - Boys and Girls Varsity
Middle Grade (grades 3-6)
K-6 Memory Book
Kindness Club K-6
Elementary School Store
Primary (Pre-K - 2)
Kindness Club K-6