Garlough Environmental Magnet School
Garlough at a Glance
Environmental Focus
Surrounded by parks and Dodge Nature Center’s 320 acres, give students access to endless nature-based learning opportunities.
Award-winning
National Magnet School of Excellence in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015 and a National Magnet School of Distinction in 2016 and 2018.
1:1 Technology
All students receive a school-issued iPad allowing students to learn their environmental based curriculum in flexible and innovative ways.
Diverse Student Body
This promotes student growth and reflection as they make friendships and have shared experiences with one another helping to prepare them for life outside of school.
Newly Remodeled
Underwent construction in 2019. Included a new cafeteria, new classrooms, flexible learning spaces, and more natural light
Garlough Environmental Magnet School (GEMS) offers a rigorous environmental studies curriculum emphasizing science, technology, and math for students in grades K-4.
At GEMS, environmental learning is at the core of everything they do. Through nature-based experiences, they support and enhance children’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. Students explore nature in Garlough Woods and at Dodge Nature Center as they gain a sense of wonder, respect, and care for the natural world.
More on Garlough
Garlough has been a magnet school since 2007, making it District 197’s first magnet. It is now one of four magnet schools in the District.
Garlough was formed in partnership with Dodge Nature Center, and offers the same comprehensive curriculum as the district’s other elementary schools, but with a nature-based theme integrated into every class. Garlough has gained numerous state and national recognitions, including being named a National Magnet School of Excellence in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015 and a National Magnet School of Distinction in 2016 and 2018.
As an environmental magnet school, experiential learning is at the core of everything at GEMS. Through nature-based experiences in and outside the classroom, Garlough teachers and staff support and enhance children’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
With Garlough’s unique location surrounded by parks and Dodge Nature Center’s 320 acres, students have unequaled access to nature-based learning opportunities in prairies, hardwood forests, lakes, wetlands, miles of hiking trails, plus a working farm, orchard and bee apiary.
As an environmental magnet school, experiential learning is at the core of everything at GEMS. Through nature-based experiences in and outside the classroom, Garlough teachers and staff support and enhance children’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
With Garlough’s unique location surrounded by parks and Dodge Nature Center’s 320 acres, students have unequaled access to nature-based learning opportunities in prairies, hardwood forests, lakes, wetlands, miles of hiking trails, plus a working farm, orchard and bee apiary.
What parent’s are saying
