General Janus Questions

How many students in each class?

There are three to twelve students in each class.

What is the ratio of boys to girls?

Currently, the ratio is 70 percent boys to 30 percent girls.

Do students have a homeroom?

Lower & Middle division students start and end the day in a homeroom. Upper division students start and end the day in advisory groups.

Do you offer transportation?

Buses are offered to several locations.

• Locations? Harrisburg, Lebanon/Hershey, York, Reading
• Fee? $2,000-$2,200/year (per family)
• Bus pick-up hours? Different for each route, starting at 6:40 AM
• How to coordinate? Call our Director of Finance and Operations
• Parent carpools? Yes

What happens at lunchtime?

Students pack their lunch or they can participate in our new hot lunch program. Started in 2009-2010, this new hot lunch program offers hot lunches provided by the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center here in Mount Joy. Each student lunch is $3.75. Click here to view a sample menu.

Lunch is monitored and students are encouraged to use this time to socialize, as well practice their socialization-communication skills.

What are the credentials and background of Janus teachers?

All of our teachers are certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Janus teachers are student-centered, innovative, active, collaborative, and are true professionals in teaching students following best-practice models.

What activities are available after school?

Student council and our student events coordinator plans events throughout the year, such as an afternoon at Laserdome, bowling, weekend dances and other non-academic social activities.

What are your school hours?

School hours are 8 AM — 3 PM daily. Early morning tutorial is offered from 7:30 — 8 AM, and after-school tutorial is offered 3 — 3:30 PM. Our summer hours are 8 AM — 2 PM, Monday thru Thursday.

Where can I find more information about Janus policies?

All Janus policies are provided in the Janus Student & Parent Handbook . Our policies are developed with the student's best interest in mind, and include topics such as policies on homework, student behavior, bullying and grades.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. Many of our students receive financial aid. The application process is straightforward, and the Director of Admission is available to help you make the process simple and easy. Additionally, to help simplify this process for you, we offer a Financial Aid Workshop in January each year.

Why Janus?

How is Janus different from other schools?

Janus offers a very individualized education tailored to the child's specific learning needs. This individual approach and the skills of our staff are unique to The Janus School. It helps children learn their strengths, as well as how to manage and champion for their own learning style. The goal is to help a student confidently become a successful and independent learner so that he or she can return and thrive in a standardized learning environment, such as college or public school. Janus' success lies in the success of our students.

How have students benefited from their experience at Janus?

Janus success lies in the success of our students. This is best captured in the words of our students and parents.

What opportunities will a student have to showcase his or her strengths and talents?

There are many opportunities available at Janus, including clubs, Student Council, science and social studies fairs, annual school play, health and wellness courses, as well as art and music classes. In addition, various newsletters are published highlighting student achievements both in and out of school.

How do students learn to be independent?

Students at The Janus School undertake a number of individual academic and non-academic leadership initiatives designed to improve organizational and social skills, and build confidence. These include:

• Participation in field trips and end-of-year overnight trips
• Attendance in study skills and post-Janus transition classes
• Opportunities to serve in Student Council leadership positions and to participate in service learning

The Janus School also strongly discourages parent involvement in homework. This enables students to learn to think, learn and problem-solve independently.

Academics

What kind of diploma do students earn?

Students earn a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania high school, secondary school diploma.

Do you give grades?

At Janus, we believe that student progress is best assessed through recognizing students' developing self-esteem, confidence, awareness, internalization and application of skills, as well as through academic-focused narrative reports and standardized achievement testing. In the lower division, grades are not maintained as part of the students' school records, and in the middle division, grades are kept for reading, writing, and math. Grades and credits are maintained in the upper division (grades 9 - 12).

Do I need to continue outside tutoring if my child comes to Janus?

No. Our tutoring program is individualized and intensive. All first year students receive a daily one-to-one diagnostic tutorial. We strongly recommend students continuing tutorials beyond the first year, which requires an additional fee. By keeping tutorials within the school day, students are open to spend their time after school engaging in activities that build self-confidence and are non-academic-based, as well as independently learning to manage their school assignments.

Does Janus use a particular instructional program?

No. We teach diagnostically and individually, and do not promote any one instructional program.

Preparing for life after Janus

How does Janus facilitate the college application process?

All seniors are enrolled in a senior transition class, which guides the college process. The senior transition teacher and the Academic Director facilitate the process. Juniors and seniors also attend area college fairs, and attend presentations by college representatives and Janus alumni at The Janus School. Parents are invited to transition workshops.

What are former Janus students doing now?

The goal of a Janus School education is to help each student to become a confident and successful independent learner so that she or he can return to and thrive within a standardized collegiate or public-school learning environment.

The measure of The Janus School's success lies in the success of its former students.