The GSB Scholars program is the continuation of a tradition of learning excellence that has been in place for over 100 years at Gill St. Bernard’s School.  The purpose of the Scholars program is to challenge the highest achieving and most intellectually gifted Upper School students. Participants benefit through group learning activities and additional independent research requirements.  They receive an annual Merit Scholarship.

GSB Scholars are expected to be school leaders, participate in the full range of school activities offered and maintain a record of high academic achievement. A total of five scholars are chosen from the entering ninth grade in any given year, with an additional two scholars selected by Upper School faculty and administration upon completion of the ninth grade. (Award recipients entering the tenth grade are limited to current GSB students.)

The GSB Scholars Program offers students additional opportunities for intellectual stimulation and unique research experience over and above the regular Upper School program.  During the freshman and sophomore years, the focus is on group activities that introduce students to a range of academic disciplines through meetings and field trips.  A unique feature of the program is the Junior Thesis Project, in which junior Scholars identify an area of interest and conduct their own substantial independent research.

Three recent Scholar programs included: 

Tour of AT&T’s Global Network Operations Center in Bedminster to learn about the history and theory of networks as a mathematical construct. 

Dinner with Dr. Michael Thompson, prolific author, educator and counseling psychologist, as part of Dr. Thompson’s visit to GSB.

A summer reading selection of The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream (by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt), with a book discussion led by alumna Jen Huber M.D. ‘97.  Students gained deeper insight into the challenges of medical school. 

Selection for the GSB Scholar Program is highly competitive. Criteria for consideration include:

• A score of no less than 60 on both the verbal and math subtests of the Practice SAT administered by GSB with a combined score of 120;
• Transcript/GPA for grades 7 and 8, with expectation of a 3.7 cumulative average;
• Two letters of recommendation in addition to the recommendations required for regular admission to GSB;
• An interview with the Director of the GSB Scholars program;
• An essay with evidence of intellectual curiosity;
• Evidence of strong personal character and leadership potential.