Gifft Hill School

Congratulations to our fifth graders on their successful completion of elementary school! We celebrated their upcoming transition to the Upper Campus with a special ceremony this week that highlighted the unique contributions each student brings to the class. As part of the celebration, each student delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on their Lower Campus journey and the memories they've made along the way. We are so proud of all they've accomplished and look forward to seeing them thrive in middle school. Kudos, fifth grade!

Funnest last day of school ever! Our Lower Campus students celebrated the impending summer break with a field day full of fun and games on Trayser Field. We hope our GHS community has a safe and enjoyable summer.

Our toddlers were thrilled to share their classroom with their dads, who came in last week for the class's Donuts with Dads event. Students made a special piece of art for their dads and shared donuts, fruit, and playtime. Thank you to the dads and father figures who showed up for our toddlers!

Thank you to Island Health & Wellness for purchasing car seats for our van, allowing our youngest students to travel in safety and style! And thank you to our preschool models (not buckled in because they were only posing for photos) who looked extra spiffy thanks to fancy dress day at the Lower Campus.

Introducing the second of our final two senior spotlights with our Class of 2026!

Gifft Hill School Class of 2026 Salutatorian Nadjah Jn Phillip joined the GHS community in fourth grade. She says she appreciates that our teachers care for their students on a deeper level.

“They care about our emotional well-being,” says Nadjah. “They invest a lot of personal time into the students.”

Nadjah’s teachers describe her as eloquent and poised.

“She is learning to harness all of her passion, whether for academics or societal topics, and I believe she’s maturing into a place where she’ll be able to accomplish something more amazing that we can even imagine,” says Upper Campus math teacher Ms. Veronica. “She took all of her free time from March of last year through now to enroll in every AP class she could. She has owned her academics and stayed the course.”

Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida says Nadjah is a natural born leader.

“I can see her making great changes in the world,” she says.

“She is a curious student and an exceptional leader, always asking great questions and holding her peers accountable,” adds Upper Campus science teacher Mr. Bill.

Nadjah attributes her success in earning the title of Salutatorian to her mother.

“She continues to sacrifice a lot for her children, and seeing that growing up has allowed me to have a strong moral compass and work ethic,” says Nadjah. “Seeing how hard she works every single day has pushed me to want to do better for her. I appreciate everything she has done for me.”

Nadjah enjoyed a variety of experiences through our high school electives and STEAM Week offerings, including art, survival, and an intro to accounting course that set her on her future career path.

“Having the intro to accounting class freshman year pushed me into the field of accounting,” says Nadjah. “I enjoyed art because it allowed me to calm my mind and step out of my comfort zone. And I enjoyed the teamwork during the survival STEAM Week.”

Nadjah explored her interest in accounting through her capstone, a four-week immersion in the professional world during which our students have the opportunity to experience a career they’re interested in pursuing, working with St. John accountant Cassandra Moore.

After graduation, Nadjah plans to attend Morgan State University's Honors College where she’ll study accounting and education.

Nadjah attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference twice, an experience that led to her co-founding our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club. She’s been a member of student council and served two years as NHS president. Nadjah has also been a member of our volleyball team.

Outside of school, Nadjah has played volleyball with the Island Mixx Youth Volleyball Team. She published original works through Society 340 and St. John School of the Arts’ Hear Every Voice program and performs with the St. John School of the Arts’ Expressive Pantomime group. Nadjah also tutors for the Boys and Girls Club, volunteers with the Dynamic Dancers, and she works at Shambles.

Nadjah says she will miss her teachers and classmates as well as the environment, culture, and sense of familiarity and community at Gifft Hill School.

Introducing the first of our final two senior spotlights with our Class of 2026!

Gifft Hill School Class of 2026 Valedictorian Dax Chouiniere is a lifer, having attended since preschool. He says he appreciates the way our teachers are able to form close relationships with their students.

“Teachers can really get to know their students and once they do, they figure out what you want, need, and like, and they help you in every way,” says Dax. “They personalize the material for you and make it what you want.”

Dax’s teachers describe him as a lifelong learner who is always seeking more knowledge.

“Dax is in this building to learn and he wants the people around him to do the same thing,” says Upper Campus math teacher Ms. Veronica, who’s been a part of Dax’s educational journey since kindergarten. “His peers know that and really respect him for that. He carries himself with a strong level of empathy and really puts himself into other people’s shoes to understand different vantage points. He’s got a great worldly understanding of things.”

Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida says Dax has a strong moral compass.

“He’s great at keeping his composure, even when he’s overwhelmed,” she says. “He’s a great person overall, not just as a student but as a human being. He’s very genuine.”

Dax says perseverance helped him earn the title of Valedictorian.

“Even when other people around me didn’t want to do their work, I just kept pushing,” he says. “Always push yourself through the hard things, because it will prepare you for your future.”

Dax’s favorite experiences in our high school electives and STEAM Week offerings were Farm to Table dinners and making pottery kick wheels, which he and his classmates then used to create their own ceramic works.

“I was interested in cooking before Farm to Table, but it pushed me beyond my comfort zone and exposed me to a lot of different cuisines and experiences,” Dax says. “I really liked showing off what we can do at the events.”

Dax explored his interest in engineering and renewable energy technology during his capstone, a four-week immersion in the professional world during which our students have the opportunity to experience a career they’re interested in pursuing, working with Caribbean Solar Company.

“I’m interested in the technology behind solar power and green energy and how it all works,” says Dax. “I think green energy is important. I want to study environmental engineering because it’s a great way to learn how to lessen our impact.”

After graduation, Dax plans to attend the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, where he’ll study sustainable innovation.

Dax has been a member of student council, NHS, and our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club. He also served as chairperson and treasurer of his Class of 2026’s fundraising committee.

Outside of school, Dax is the tenor section leader for the Love City Pan Dragons. He also performs on pan at weddings and private events, and is employed by Caribbean Solar after a successful capstone experience.

Dax says he will miss “just knowing everybody and walking through the hallways saying hi to people you know.”

Kudos to our kindergarteners, who were officially promoted to first grade this week in a heartfelt ceremony that included musical performances by the class and a spotlight on the unique attributes each student brings to the class. Congratulations, Class of 2038!