Johnstown Christian School

Mission

Johnstown Christian School provides Christian families with a Christ-centered education which prepares their children spiritually, academically, and socially to live for the glory of God.

Students will be prepared spiritually in their commitment to Christ and their development of a Christian world and life view, academically with a quality curriculum, and socially through the development of Godly character traits.

Statement of faith

Campus

The Holsopple campus is located in the Davidsville-Holsopple area of Somerset County, about two miles from Conemaugh Township High School. The school facilities include:

One popular campus area is the soccer field and upper parking lot area. Flanked by archaic trees, the rural Soap Hollow neighborhood, and the school gymnasium, the area serves as a location for high school and middle school students to congregate between classes and after school. Annual events are often held in this area, including Senior Soccer Night and the annual JCS Arts and Crafts Festival.

The school is undergoing renovation, tentatively scheduled to start in 2009, to upgrade the elementary buildings, the high school, library, and athletic facilities. The school is holding a fund-raising drive titled "Legacy for His Kingdom" to provide the monies needed for these renovations.

Student body

The school's student body and faculty represent various Christian denominations, though the vast majority are Protestant. As a private school, JCS draws students from a wide geographic area, though most teachers and students reside in the Greater Johnstown area.

Johnstown Christian School accommodates about 300 students. The school is subdivided into three schools: elementary school (kindergarten through fifth grade), middle school (sixth through eighth grade), and high school (ninth through twelfth grade). The ratio of students to faculty at the school is about 6:1.

Administration

At the head of Johnstown Christian School administration is the Johnstown Christian School Board of Directors, a nine-member board chosen to oversee the daily operations of the school system.

Academics

A Christian world view is integrated into all areas of the curriculum. Bible class and weekly chapel attendance are required for all students. Instruction is held in all academic areas and is college preparatory in focus. The school year for students extends from the first week of September to the first week of June, for a total of 180 school or education days.

High school is structured into eight periods of 42-minute classes, with a 25-minute lunch period. Physical education is a required course for all students (with classes being combined with girls and boys) for half a year and sex ed for the other half of the year. Advanced Placement level courses are offered formally in five subjects.

Curriculum choices are guided by Pennsylvania State Standards for high school graduation.

At JCS, over 95% of all graduates obtain higher education within the first three years after graduation.

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center helps students overcome academic difficulties which may be due to learning differences, with the ultimate goal being to help them reach their highest potential and be more fully prepared to realize God’s purposes for them. Johnstown Christian School believes that each child has a unique role in God's plan, and is a special individual created and loved by God. “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me: your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the work of your hands.” Psalm 138:8

Extracurricular activities

Johnstown Christian School provides extracurricular activities to develop individual student interest and abilities. Students can participate in one or more of the following:

Music and drama

Art

Student government

Publications

Student-organized clubs

Association of Christian Schools International

JCS is also a standing member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). This allows students the opportunities to participate in numerous academic activities including:

Drama

Although JCS does not have a drama class, school thespians and musicians work on plays and musicals performed at the end of each year. Musicals and plays alternate, with musicals one year and plays the next.

The JCS drama team has been performing for more than 10 years. Past performances have included the following:

Arts and Crafts festival

Every May the Arts and Crafts Festival is conducted by students from all class levels. The festival serves as a fund-raising opportunity for each class. Included at this event are food, craft, and art booths; a silent auction; and the annual 5k run. This event is a major fund raising event for both individual classes as well as the school as a whole. It is also an opportunity for the people of the community to see a glimpse of the school, the students, and faculty.

Intramural banquets

Each year two banquets are held for high school students: the annual Christmas Banquet and the Junior-Senior banquet, which replaces the traditional prom held in most high schools.

Missions trip

Each year, students in their local youth groups participate in a summer missions trip to evangelize the un-reached people of those areas.

Spiritual retreat

Every year, the high school invites Christian speakers and missionaries from around the country for a half-week visit at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center. During the retreat students participate in a variety of activities including worship sessions, games, and social interaction.

Athletics

Johnstown Christian School offers two main sports. Men have the option of basketball and soccer on the junior high, junior varsity, and varsity levels. Women have the option of basketball and soccer on the same levels, and softball. Varsity Cross Country and Track have been made available for interested students in 2009 as well.

JCS was a long-time member of the Allegheny Christian Athletic Association (ACAA), taking home men's and women's titles for both soccer and basketball.

Since 2005, JCS has been a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), and schedules most competitions against local public schools. JCS is now eligible to participate in district, regional, and state level competitions.

JCS still holds the tradition of attending the annual Erie Christian School Invitational in Erie, Pennsylvania.