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French Gulch believes in providing an education rich with culture, arts, science, and communication skills. The beautiful school setting in French Gulch has been practicing education for over 150 years. Learn more about the opportunities of a lifetime.

The French Gulch – Whiskeytown School mission is to build a tradition of excellence by providing a stable place in our community which will allow, assist and exceed the guidelines of a state recommended core curriculum, and to give all students an understanding of the privileges and responsibilities necessary to be productive citizens.

The New Millennium Partnership, a partnership of four school districts sharing a common administration, will provide all students with optimum learning opportunities by employing and preparing the best teachers, leaders and support personnel, providing the most contemporary facilities and technology, and setting standards for students to achieve academic excellence, personal and social growth, health, and success in a safe, positive, and diverse environment.

MISSION STATEMENT

 The New Millennium Partnership, a partnership of four school districts sharing a common administration, will provide all students with optimum learning opportunities by employing and preparing the best teachers, leaders and support personnel, providing the most contemporary facilities and technology, and setting standards for students to achieve academic excellence, personal and social growth, health, and success in a safe, positive, and diverse environment.

The French Gulch – Whiskeytown School mission is to build a tradition of excellence by providing a stable place in our community which will allow, assist and exceed the guidelines of a state recommended core curriculum, and to give all students an understanding of the privileges and responsibilities necessary to be productive citizens.

PROFILE

French Gulch-Whiskeytown Elementary School is a one-school district located in French Gulch, which is seventeen miles west of Redding. We share many of our services with the Redding School District as a part of the New Millennium Partnership. The student to teacher ratio allows for individualized instruction with emphasis on standards, visual and performing arts, and environmental education. Technology resources are effectively implemented to best prepare students to be successful in the 21^st Century.

In the fall of 2005, the school was serving 29 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Ethnically, the school’s population is:  87% White and 13% other.  Economically, 76% receive free or reduced lunches. 

The school provides broad cultural exposure that is enhanced by an international teacher exchange program. Professionals teach music, karate, and dance instruction at all grade levels each week. Students are involved with authentic instruction through numerous field experiences, collaborations with local resource agencies, and connections to local historical sites. In addition to the arts, watershed and garden education are also cornerstones of student learning. The integration of subject matter with natural topics is a common strategy to address multiple grade levels. Curriculum and resources are aligned to meet all state and national standards.

The district is school-wide Title I, and due to its small size, is a Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) district that utilizes the ability to transfer all federal categorical entitlements into Title I.  Students scoring below proficient or advanced on reading or math standards receive additional reading or math instruction by certificated and classified staff in the classrooms. The school provides an Extended Day /After School Program, on Monday through Friday from 2:30-6:00 PM, helping to ensure that students regularly have safe and drug-free enrichment activities.

The school acts as a primary hub and facility for the community of French Gulch. The area is rich in natural and historical resources. During the summer of 2004, a massive forest fire devastated the local hills and many of the homes around French Gulch; one of the school watershed programs has students involved with recovery efforts and data collection. Whiskeytown National Park, which is within the district boundaries, provides a wealth of support for the students and staff. The students and staff have developed a native plants/butterfly garden that is being expanded to include a nutrition garden. French Gulch has two of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Shasta County, a number of cemeteries dating to the 1800’s, as well as operating examples of placer and hard-rock mining.

PRIORITIES

District Priorities are being addressed in numerous ways.

Student Performance

Visual and Performing Arts

Health and Fitness

Learning Communities