GEM provides girls with a three-year college preparatory curriculum from March of their freshman year to May of the senior year. In addition to service to others and college readiness, GEM’s holistic approach to helping our girls to graduate high school and become self-sufficient, confident, and independent young women includes:

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GEM FORMAT

GEM meets after school twice a month from 2:30-7:30 PM. The girls have activities, speakers, and field trips related to their curriculum. The group also has six overnight weekend retreats per year at a variety of locations. The retreats and activities provide many benefits to the girls, including:

• Exposure to different regions of Maryland and surrounding areas

• An opportunity to be away from their homes to prepare them to go away to college

• A chance to focus on themselves for an extended period of time

• A safe, supportive, and nurturing environment

• Time spent with caring and compassionate adult staff and volunteers

• Cultural and educational field trips

• Intensive curricular programming including GEM activities

• Guest speakers

• College Visits

• Service to others

 

ENROLLMENT CRITERIA

Being nominated for GEM is an honor. Ninth grade girls may be nominated by school faculty for demonstration of motivation and/or potential. Girls are also encouraged to self-nominate.  Once the girls are nominated, they are invited to an informational meeting. The next step involves filling out an application and having a series of interviews. The last step is being invited to attend a GEM activity. Girls are selected based on their motivation to reach their fullest potential and their interest in the program.