PHILOSOPHY
First and foremost, JCS believes knowledge comes from God and the purpose of education is to give students the opportunity to know and apply God’s law in their daily lives.
In order for JCS to be able to provide quality education to all students, our school follows both the Engage NY (New York City) Common Core standards and the Dominican curriculum standards. In this way, our students will be academically prepared for university, whether in the Dominican Republic or in the United States.
Clear School Mission
At JCS our staff instructs all classes with the goal of adhering to and completing the school mission.
High Expectations for Success
At JCS we maintain a climate of high expectations in which the staff believes and demonstrates that all students can attain mastery of the essential content and school skills.
Instructional Leadership
At JCS the principal acts as an instructional leader and effectively communicates and reiterates our school’s mission to the staff, parents, and students.
Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress
At JCS, student academic progress is measured frequently by a variety of assessment procedures. The results of the assessments are used to improve individual student performance and also to improve the instructional program.
Opportunity to Learn and Student Time on Task
At JCS, teachers plan instructional lessons and activities that are engaging, relevant, and challenging. Students work in various settings, including whole-group, small-group, and individual settings.
Safe and Orderly Environment
At JCS, there is a safe, orderly, and familial atmosphere which is free from the threat of physical harm. The school climate is conducive to teaching and learning.
Home – School Relations
At JCS, parents understand and support the school’s mission and are given the opportunity to play an important role in helping the school to achieve that mission.
In order for JCS to be able to provide quality education to all students, our school follows both the Engage NY (New York City) Common Core standards and the Dominican curriculum standards. In this way, our students will be academically prepared for university, whether in the Dominican Republic or in the United States.
Clear School Mission
At JCS our staff instructs all classes with the goal of adhering to and completing the school mission.
High Expectations for Success
At JCS we maintain a climate of high expectations in which the staff believes and demonstrates that all students can attain mastery of the essential content and school skills.
Instructional Leadership
At JCS the principal acts as an instructional leader and effectively communicates and reiterates our school’s mission to the staff, parents, and students.
Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress
At JCS, student academic progress is measured frequently by a variety of assessment procedures. The results of the assessments are used to improve individual student performance and also to improve the instructional program.
Opportunity to Learn and Student Time on Task
At JCS, teachers plan instructional lessons and activities that are engaging, relevant, and challenging. Students work in various settings, including whole-group, small-group, and individual settings.
Safe and Orderly Environment
At JCS, there is a safe, orderly, and familial atmosphere which is free from the threat of physical harm. The school climate is conducive to teaching and learning.
Home – School Relations
At JCS, parents understand and support the school’s mission and are given the opportunity to play an important role in helping the school to achieve that mission.
GOALS
- Student Mastery
Since JCS is a college preparatory institution, the curriculum is taught for student mastery. It is imperative that students master subject matter in one grade before they move on to the next. Because of this strong commitment to student mastery, JCS will not permit students to progress to the next grade level until grade-level subject mastery is achieved. - English Language Instruction
One goal of JCS is to guide our students toward becoming future leaders and productive members of society. Language—mainly, being bilingual in Spanish and English—is a tool we provide to our students to attain this goal. With this in mind, all instruction in grades PK2 through twelfth grade will be carried out in English, with the exception of the courses in Spanish or Sociales, which are required by the Dominican Ministry of Education. - Character Education
Central to the classroom atmosphere is the moral focus. Each month a different character quality or virtue is emphasized. The values or virtues we teach our students include: patience, compassion, humility, solidarity, perseverance, forgiveness, self-control, honesty, and responsibility. Teachers discuss the virtues with the students, read stories that focus on the virtues, model the values in daily life, and encourage students to demonstrate them as well. The moral/spiritual focus is integrated into the curriculum and campus activities to make it as relevant to daily living as possible. - Spiritual Participation
At JCS, we will naturally reflect Christian beliefs, and, at times, we may be in contrast to the religious beliefs held by some of the parents of our students. When this occurs, the parents should exercise tolerance and understanding, recognizing that the school cannot in good conscience waive from the core beliefs of our school.
INSTRUCTION
JCS promotes student-centred learning which places the student—rather than the teacher—at the center of the learning process. We have implemented this teaching method for the following reasons:
- Children’s Behavior
Children need to move and explore; denying them such opportunities often leads to misbehavior or boredom. As our students move about the room and become engaged in their own learning process at their own pace, they become more responsible, self-motivated, and self-disciplined academically, socially, and personally. - Children’s Independence
The level of independence our students have in choosing their own learning process gives them a sense of empowerment and self-confidence. These are tools that drive our students to grow and develop to their maximum potential. - Efficient Use of Time
Student-based learning allows teachers to give one-on-one attention while other students are working independently. The children are constantly engaged in exploring new skills and information, which gives teachers time to rotate around the room to evaluate and give feedback, to extend lessons for those who need a challenge, and to give additional explanations to struggling students. - The Inclusion of Art, Music, and Physical Movement
Our teachers seek to include enrichment such as art, music, and physical movement to convey and apply essential information. Our students tend to really enjoy these activities and, therefore, are thoroughly engaged in the content and skills they are learning. - Academic Learning
Student-based learning allows information to be constructed as the children explore and experiment with new ideas and materials. In this way, our students gain a better understanding of how things work because they have the opportunity to physically explore them, making them more likely to retain the information they learn and relate it to other concepts.
CURRICULUM
COURSES
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Elementary (Grades K – 5th)
Our elementary school offers an academic program based upon United States standards (EngageNY Common Core). Students in 1st – 5th grades receive the bulk of their academic instruction in English, with the exception of Spanish and Sociales classes. Since most of our students are non-American English Language Learners (ELL), there are many adaptations made to our curriculum in order to meet our students’ learning needs. |
Schedule
Arrival: 8:00 AM Recess/Break: 9:00 (K-2nd) 9:50 (3-4th) Lunch: 12:00 (K-2nd) 12:50 (3-4th) Pick Up: 3:10 PM |
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Middle School (Grades 6th – 8th)
Our middle school program is designed to help students transition from elementary school to high school. Students rotate between specialist subject teachers for the first time. We aim to develop their independence and encourage them to start taking responsibility for their own work. |
Schedule
Arrival: 8:00 AM Recess/Break: 10:30 AM Lunch: 1:30 PM Pick Up: 3:50 PM |
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High School (Grades 9th – 12th)
Our high school program is designed to prepare graduates for further study. At this level, students will receive a truly bilingual education and are expected to make regular progress towards either Dominican or U.S. college admission. It is the students’ responsibility to maintain the established grade point average (GPA) and conduct record. |
Schedule
Arrival: 8:00 AM Recess/Break: 10:30 AM Lunch: 1:30 PM Pick Up: 3:50 PM |
