Galapagos Rockford Charter School is dedicated to preparing scholars to be responsible, productive, college-educated adults, capable of adapting and prospering in the changing global economy.

  • GRCS offers the most robust summer programming in Rockford; probably the most exciting programming in the state of Illinois!

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    Summer Programs

  • Galapagos Rockford scholar applications for the 2025-26 school are currently available.



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    Enroll Your Scholar

  • We are proud of our staff and we strive to provide all instructors and staff the tools to successfully support our scholars. If you would like to be considered to be a part of Rockford’s most elite group of educators please apply today.

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    Join Our Team

  • Our mission is to ensure that our scholars are provided with the support they need to succeed now, in college and beyond. In order to develop well-rounded scholars we provide unique experiences through our After School X program.

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    After School X

Here are some important facts:

  • 1

    Galapagos is all about the number 1.  Galapagos Rockford was the 1st charter school in Rockford.  Galapagos is the number 1 performing charter school in Rockford from 2010 to today.   Between 2012-2014 Galapagos Rockford scholars ranked #1 in the growth rate on the Illinois State assessment (the highest of any public school in the Rock River Valley.) Galapagos was the 1st school in Rockford to ban junk food and serve nutritious meals to all of its scholars.  Galapagos is the one public school in Rockford that sends its 8th grade scholars to Washington D.C.  Galapagos’ Project Passport was the first and only program to send scholars to Costa Rica, to Spain, to Rwanda and to Uganda.   Galapagos is the first charter school in Rockford to proudly have a Golden Apple award winning teacher.  Galapagos is the first school to offer horseback riding as an elective…we could go on and on.

  • 2009

    Since 2009, Galapagos Rockford has sent 100s of GRCS scholars to programs outside of Rockford.  It all started with summer enrichment programs at Northwestern University’s gifted and talented camp.   Our amazing “Not Your Dad’s Summer Programming” now includes over a dozen programs locally, across the country and even across the globe!  Programs include Sea Camp in San Diego, Great Books at Haverford College, Project Passport to Costa Rica and Spain.  GRCS also offers alumni programming to Uganda, Rwanda and Paraguay.   To see our growing portfolio of programs click here.

    You will not find any other school in Rockford or in Illinois that provides such a diverse catalogue of enrichment programming.