About 3,700 students attend the six schools in the Greater Amsterdam School District, located in the city of Amsterdam, New York. The district serves residents in the city and town of Amsterdam, as well as those in parts of the nearby towns of Florida, Duanesburg, Glenville, Perth and Hagaman. The student population is diverse, with about 50 percent being of Hispanic descent. The district believes that students of all ages can and should learn and that the purpose of GASD schools is to educate the whole child. The district recognizes that this comes in the form of celebrating cultural diversity, nurturing partnerships with the home and business community and maintaining expectations of excellence for all students. GASD employs a talented staff of about 340 teachers, in addition to librarians, guidance counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and more, who are dedicated to boosting student achievement and self esteem. The graduation rate is steadily climbing in the district as it continues to focus on staff development, increased parent involvement and partnerships with the business community. The district enriches student engagement by continuously updating its technology, including the use of smart boards and smart tables, tablets and document cameras in classrooms. Beyond the classroom, what makes the student experience exceptional in the GASD is the multitude of opportunities available, including elementary afterschool programs, strong athletics and music programs and clubs that expand students’ social, technical and artistic skills. In addition to keeping parents connected to and involved in the schools, ongoing efforts such as the aquatics program and continuing education classes strengthen the community-school connection.