"What others say about Greater Grace International School of Budapest, Hungary

What others say about GGIS

If only we had known about your program earlier...

Discipline is gentle but firm in all areas, and we felt this to be equally important in a world where respect is not always promoted.

Our children attended Greater Grace International School for 3 years and we can only hope that their education will continue in the very positive manner we experienced there. Thanks to the traditional program of promoting solid skills in reading, writing and mathematics, they have a strong background for the future. Most of our embassy colleagues were always surprised to hear that we were not sending our children to the big, international school town. Not surprisingly, toward the end of our stay, we were joined by some other embassy parents who all said, "if only we had known about your program earlier!"

We must stress, however, that it wasn't only the academic which attracted us. The location is heavenly, the teachers caring and attentive, and even the uniforms - quite frankly - make a parents life easier. Last of all, discipline is gentle but firm in all areas, and we felt this to be equally important in a world where respect is not always promoted.

We were in sum, more than pleased with GGIS, and we would not hesitate to recommend the school and sing its praises.

John & Marija Fogarasi
U.S. Embassy
June, 2000

Her growth has been exceptional...

The excellence of her academic experience - which, with your emphasis on fundamentals, was truly superb - was exceeded only by the caring nature of the environment in which it was delivered. The school embodies Christian values in everything it does.

We wanted to write to you to express our deep and personal appreciation for all that Greater Grace International School has done for our daughter Cathryn during her two years with you. GGIS has been marvellous for her. From kindergarten, with Mrs. Horne and Miss Adel, through first grade under the care of Miss Linda Mathisen, her growth has been exceptional. The excellence of her academic experience - which, with your emphasis on fundamentals, was truly superb - was exceeded only by the caring nature of the environment in which it was delivered. The school embodies Christian values in everything you do.

With our return to the United States this summer, we will miss you all very much. We regret the our son Matthew, still too young for kindergarten, will miss the opportunity to begin his education under your careful guidance. We wish you continued success in your work.

Sincerely,
E. Patricia Espey-English
Marketing Director for Central Europe AT&T

Charles L. English
Counselor for Economic Affairs
Embassy of the United States of America

I have attended GGIS for 8 years...

The triple values of the school are: respect, morality, and discipline. Few schools manage to combine these values in such a loving environment!

I have attended Greater Grace International School (GGIS) for 8 years, during 1992-2000. I must certainly say that enrolling me in GGIS was one of the best decisions my parents ever made! The strong emphasis that GGIS places on moral values and the students' character goes above and beyond anything I have seen (or heard about) in elementary or high schools in the U.S.A. and Hungary. The triple values of the school are: respect, morality, and discipline. GGIS certainly outdoes itself in instilling these values into its pupils. Few schools (in fact, none that I've seen) manage to combine these values in such a loving environment!

...the remarkable patience, yet remarkable authority that the teachers can exercise over willing students, can be traced back to the teachers' fundamental love and caring for the students.

Of the schools that actually place emphasis on the non-academic development of their students, not many actually succeed. I don't think I am qualified enough to analyze just how GGIS achieves this remarkable success with their students, but I am rather confident it has to do with the school's unique approach to educating students. The school's name used to be Greater Grace Christian Academy earlier. In this approach, the remarkable patience, yet remarkable authority that the teachers can exercise over willing students, can be traced back to the teachers' fundamental love and caring for the students. Few teachers are as excellent as to love all of their students enough to help, guide, and mentor them patiently and correctly. Yet at GGIS, all teachers are like this. I could always count on my teachers (or the librarian, the office staff, anyone) to provide helpful and patient assistance, and I think this rubs off on the students. The atmosphere of the school certainly reflects onto the students to an enormous degree. In terms of character, GGIS produces sterling graduates.

The method of applying love to teaching does not mean producing 'coddled' students, because love is not about making students' life easier, but about making their education better.

The same motivation that the teachers demonstrate can also be seen in the management of the school; that is, in the variety of programs organized for the students. During the time I was at GGIS, the school established about 6-7 new elective classes, all of high quality and that generated great interest in the students academically. This leads me to my next point, the academic quality of the school. I have not talked about it much, but not for lack of material to write about. The method of applying love to teaching does not mean producing 'coddled' students, because love is not about making students' life easier, but about making their education better. Thus the principles applied, in practice, make students more motivated, more interested, and more enthusiastic about their studies and also about extra-curricular activities that make a well-rounded individual than in other public schools I have been able to observe.

In summary, I consider it a very special privilege to have attended an institution of the quality, on all levels, of GGIS!

Sincerely yours,
Janos Barbero

We have many friends and helpful people we may count with...

It is good feeling to know that in this misfortune, caused by the terrible disaster, we have many friends and helpful people we may count with.

Let me convey, on behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia, our great appreciation and gratitude for the sympathy and solidarity concerning the aftermath and calamity of the natural disaster that hit Aceh and North Sumatra provinces in Indonesia.

I am deeply touched by your generous donation of USD 1.000 (one thousand dollars) you have transferred at the Embassy's Indonesia Tsunami Aid account at HVB Bank. I do fervently hope that it would serve to assuage the grief of the families of the victims of this tragic calamity.

Please, convey my sincere thanks and warmest regards also to the staff and students of the Greater Grace International School, as well as to the parents of students, for their sympathy and assistance provided. It is good feeling to know that in this misfortune, caused by the terrible disaster, we have many friends and helpful people we may count with.

Please, accept my highest consideration.

Sapartini S. Kuntjoro-Kajti
Ambassador
Republic of Indonesia

The warmth and passion of your staff is clearly evident...

Greater Grace International School is a wonderful institution and the warmth and passion of your staff is clearly evident.

I would like to thank you and the entire GGIS family for the warm welcome you provided during my visit on March 22. I enjoyed the tour of your facility and the opportunity to meet your dedicated staff. Most of all, I enjoyed speaking with your students. They asked some great questions!

Greater Grace International School is a wonderful institution and the warmth and passion of your staff is clearly evident. I wish you every success in your educational endeavor and look forward to continued fruitful cooperation between GGIS and this Embassy.

Sincerely,
George H. Walker
Ambassador
Embassy of the United States of America