“We learn, not for school, but for life!”
Great Bay Charter school,”GBCS”, is a public charter school serving students from 27 districts, grades K-12.
We’re Moving!
New home of Great Bay Charter School beginning in the 2026-27 school year!
At Great Bay Charter School, learning extends beyond traditional curriculum through personalized, project-based learning that engage students deeply and meaningfully. We are dedicated to educating the whole child—prioritizing social-emotional growth, resilience, and fostering real life experiences through internships and activities that prepare students to become thoughtful participants in the community. We are proud to begin an exciting new chapter as we move into our new home for the 2026–27 school year. Located in Exeter, our campus will include a natural playground for elementary students and provide an inspiring setting where all learners can thrive—supported by dynamic classroom experiences and opportunities to connect learning to the world around them.
Our Story
Established and operating since 2005, GBCS was created to offer individualized learning and small class sizes where student-teacher relationships are at the forefront. Our teachers get to know students’ interests, learning styles, and build strong rapport and trust. Since its beginning, 20 years ago, GBCS has continued to expand grade offerings. See below, Introductions to our three schools, grade bands within them, and timeline.
Our Grade Levels
Elementary School ~ K-4
Grades K-4
Our elementary school is the newest addition to GBCS. We added grades 3/4 in 2024 and in 2025 we expanded again to include grades K-2, making us a full, K-12 educational organization. Currently, we have two elementary classrooms that are multi-age: K-2, and 3/4. (As the school continues to expand, future class groupings will be individual grades for K-5.) Class sizes for the elementary school are capped at 14.
Lower School
Grades 5-8
2011 brought our first expansion to include lower grades in addition to our high school. For several years, our “lower school” included just grades 7 and 8, but eventually added 6th and then 5th grades. Our middle school students have a homeroom/advisory, but travel around to subject area teachers each block of the day. Class sizes for the middle school are capped at 17.
Upper School
Grades 9-12
The early days of GBCS in 2006, included the first class, consisting of 9th grade students. We began our first two years in the former Exeter Middle School/Annex Building, where the current YMCA stands. We then moved to the Tuck Learning Campus at 30 Linden Street in 2007. Class sizes for the high school are capped at 17.
Our charter is based on Individualized, Project Based Learning
Competency-based assessment. Dynamic, hands-on instruction fosters intellectual curiosity, autonomy, and self-assurance. At GBCS, we inspire students to cultivate distinctiveness in character and innovative thought.
A Learning Community that Feels Like Family
Our mission is to ignite a lifelong passion for learning. By challenging the advanced and uplifting the less assured, we ensure each pupil realizes their unique academic potential.
