Whether a student is preparing for college or for a trade school, vocational classes are afforded to each student in GPA’s high school. College-bound students use these classes as electives, while those intending to pursue the trades have an opportunity to focus on careers of their choice. Click here for more on our vocational program.
Depending on academic levels, departmental classes are offered in which students rotate through the English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science rooms or self-contained classes where each teacher teaches the four basic subjects. Each year GPA provides a foreign language curriculum and classes that explore the culture, language, customs and dress of a variety of countries.
Daily Living Skills
All students who need it receive training in daily living skills. They are taught so they are better able to balance a checkbook, prepare their own meals and know about nutrition so that they can live independently when they graduate.
Vocational Education
Garfield Park Academy provides New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Vocational Education-certified programs in Cosmetology, Horticulture (agricultural occupations), Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Retail Trades, and Auto Mechanics. Vocational classes prepare students for the world of work, college, or trade school. GPA’s classes provide students with skills well beyond the workplace readiness level and the teachers in this program are certified to teach in their respective fields. GPA’s certification by the State of New Jersey for its vocational programs represents an exceptional level of educational quality.
Afternoon Studies (School to Career Program)
The School to Careers Program operates afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. daily and provides opportunities for students that have difficulty with the day school program because they need to work during the regular school day. The program provides vocational and academic credit equal to a full school day. Physical education, vocational class, counseling and academics is also provided for each student.
Guidance Department
GPA’s Guidance Department Program is unique in that the Counselor knows all the students in the school and can help in their development, career goals and overall success, not only when they are at GPA, but when they leave to either go back to their school district or graduate.