Gateway School, located one block from the Monterey Bay Sanctuary, was founded in 1970 and incorporated in 1977 as an "independent" 501(c)(3) organization. Presently, Gateway has nearly three hundred students enrolled in K - 8, with seventy-five more in various preschool programs.

During the winter of 1990, Gateway School established an environmentally-based Science Program called "Life Lab," adding curriculum in environmental responsibility and stewardship.

Gateway School's head, Dr. Peter Lewis, initiated and funded the program, hiring Caprice Potter full time to further develop and co-teach the program.

Gateway's purpose is to conduct an academic program that allows children to learn and grow in confidence and, through a non-competitive environment, develop a love of learning.

Life Lab is a garden area and hub of a well-integrated curriculum of natural science, ecology and environmental preservation, involving the classroom, individual student activities, parent participation and community outreach.

In addition to this successful program, Gateway is home to curriculum on topics such as "endangered species," a Summer Program that includes special classes in life sciences and environmental studies, a library that parents put together for developing environmental and natural science projects, and a science/technology specialist.

Gateway students grow and sell produce at the SC Farmers' Market, perform community service with the Homeless Garden Project, enjoy Science Fair themes such as "alternative energy" and "environmental science," and formed a parent/teacher EcoTeam for bringing households into optimal ecological balance.

The school is operating on an extremely sound course of sustainable economic development, having gained the accreditation of the three foremost school accreditation agencies.

About 40% of the parents participated in annual giving, averaging $267. The School's stated goal is to further increase attendance by decreasing tuition, keeping family costs lower.

Gateway School enjoys a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 10 to 1, and shows a parent participation rate of over 90%. The average teacher tenure had been an astonishingly high nine years, explained, in part, by the atmosphere throughout the school: pleasant attention to the joys of learning, where both students and teachers show a blissful contentment with their roles at Gateway.

In summation, it can fairly be said that the school's financial health may be as highly regarded as its educational and academic attainments.

Gateway School not only fulfills the SQA criteria for a well-run program and effective business, but also displays that human quality we all strive for in our institutions durng these uncertain times, making it a model for other schools to use.

The SQA Selection Committee acknowledges Gateway School's management, teachers, students and parents for pioneering an educational system that is leading us toward a sustainable future.


If you know of a business, school, or non-profit organization that has a "sustainable quality" success story to tell, let them know how they could get recognition through the SQA program.