From the Pacific Rim we emphasize the spirit of "gambatte."  This is a verb which Japanese people use instead of the Western "good luck."  We translate gambatte as, "persist, never give up, put in your full effort."  Daily, we wish our students and faculty "gambatte" instead of "good luck" when they face a test, an athletic event, an audition, or an interview.  In our culture of achievement, effort (and not luck or innate ability) determines success. Several days each week a student is publicly praised and given a Gambatte Award for effort and persistence.

Also from the East we emphasize a person's obligations to the community and blend that with acknowledging the rights and achievements of the individual. The spirit of "kaizen" or continual improvement of the whole, captures this pillar of our school.  For example, students are responsible for cleaning their homeroom and common space, serving and clearing lunch.  We do not have a full-time janitor or maintenance staff.  Students also receive group grades for their general behavior and the percentage of homework that the class completes throughout the day and week.  Students work together in small groups (called "han") in their academic work.

As in the East, we are intentional about teaching character and practicing character virtues. When you visit, you'll see our Central Character Virtues in practice throughout the school.  This foundation of character building and self-discipline continues to be that upon which our academic success is built.  KG -PRIDE is the acronym that sums up our community's virtues:

Kaizen - Gambatte - Purpose - Responsibility - Integrity - Daring - Excellence