digital graphic of a black panther
We are PANTHERS who...

are a community of learners striving for excellence in communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

School News

Community Invited to 2026-27 School Budget Presentation and Discussion

February 6, 2026

Gowanda Central School District invites all community members to a special presentation and discussion regarding the 2026-27 school budget on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the High School library. Why Your Attendance Matters This annual session, led … Continued

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Gowanda Elementary Announces Kindergarten Registration for 2026-2027

February 5, 2026

Gowanda Central School District is preparing to welcome a new group of learners to the Panther family. Registration for Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year officially opens on February 17, 2026. The full-day program at Gowanda Elementary School offers a … Continued

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Gowanda Juniors: Jumpstart Your College Career with SUNY Fredonia’s 3-1-3 Program

February 5, 2026

Gowanda High School is proud to highlight an exceptional opportunity for our high-achieving juniors: the SUNY Fredonia 3-1-3 Early College Admit Program. This unique partnership allows students to spend their senior year as both a high school student and a … Continued

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GHS Student Council Announces January Students of the Month

February 5, 2026

Gowanda High School and the Student Council are proud to recognize eight outstanding students as the January 2026 Students of the Month. These individuals were nominated by their teachers for demonstrating excellence in the “4Cs”: Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. … Continued

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Keeping Connected

What's happening at GCS?

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School Tax Information can be found on the Business Office page under Departments.

Please visit the Health Office page for up-to-date information on immunization requirements.

Mission & Vision

Mission

The purpose of the Gowanda CSD is to prepare our students to be leaders and citizens who are ready to be successful and embrace a changing world.

Vision

The Gowanda CSD will provide a high quality, personalized education that will focus on developing communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills through unique academic opportunities.

Core Values

We believe that we can achieve our vision and accomplish our mission, if in all of our work, we strive to:

  • Collaborate and connect with all members of our school community.
  • Demonstrate commitment in our work and to each child.
  • Embrace diversity and inclusivity.
  • Provide rigorous academic opportunities and leadership development for all.
  • Care deeply about each individual student and their family.
  • Take pride in what we do and how we do it.
  • Act with integrity, honesty, and personal accountability.

Integrated Technology

Technology is a tool that Gowanda uses to enhance our students’ educational experiences. It aides in personalizing our students’ learning and instruction while providing efficient feedback to students and teachers to increase understanding. Students experience greater independence by having access to content from anywhere to uncover knowledge, but they also gain interdependence by developing understandings through shared activities and collaborative tasks.

Music & Arts

The Gowanda Music program offers band and chorus starting at the elementary level. Our students participate in All-state and All-county programs and in musicals, plays, and concerts.

Gowanda's comprehensive K-12 Visual Arts program helps prepare our students to navigate through and create in an increasingly visual society. Students develop creative problem solving skills in collaborative studio environments. Student artwork and design is featured throughout our facilities and the community.

student standing behind a painting from the art department
students on stage performing musical theater

The District is organized along a PK-12 plan with approximately 1100 students distributed equally in our PK-4 Elementary School, 5-8 Middle School and 9-12 High School. We maintain two educational campuses and one athletic facility. Our campuses are situated in the Town of Perrysburg and the Village of Gowanda. The District spans portions of the Townships of Collins, North Collins, Hanover, Persia, Perrysburg and Dayton and the Cattaraugus Territory.

Our educational program is comprehensive and includes the core curriculum, performing arts, technology, home & careers, interscholastic athletics, student clubs and extra-curricular activities. Teachers, staff and students utilize up-to-date learning and office technology. Distance learning opportunities are also available to our students via live video broadcasting. The District also operates a public television station that broadcasts public hearings, Board of Education meetings and athletic events.

Vocational and special education services are provided in part by the Erie II-Chautauqua- Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The District also offers a full-range of special education programs for special needs students in all three buildings.

 

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