Program Features

Small School = Big Success
Our small number of students and supportive advisory program makes it impossible to slip through the cracks. In a blind survey 97% of the students said they felt “cared about” and that their relationships with “teachers” and “fellow students” were better.

Travel
During an experimental year, the school spent 5 weeks in Costa Rica in the Fall of 1995 and 5 weeks in Ghana, West Africa during the Spring of 1996. This year the school is will travel less ambitiously but will have significant and life changing trips.

Global Awareness
Students lived with, interacted, and forged life-long relationships with people from two different third-world countries. The experiences abroad included several service projects, actually teaching in local K-8 schools, learning native crafts, and studying with local experts.

Focused Education
Five weeks of classes led up to the international trips with learning related to our destinations and integrated with Minnesota state standards. We not only taught about science, we experienced solar eclipses, witnessed volcanic eruptions, built a wind generator, and installed solar panels.

Reflection
After returning, the students had a final week of completing exams, writing papers, and preparing presentations for a celebration of the students education with family and friends

Academic Content and Credits
We take academics seriously and our program is based on Minnesota Graduation Requirements. Students at JCLC will earn 6 credits per semester; 12 per year. The is equivalent to a full high year of credit. The credits will be earned in Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Art, Health/Fitness, and Electives.

Student Expectations
The JCLC program has high academic, attendance and behavioral expectations. A Student Expectation Contract must be signed by all students and parent/guardian before they can begin school. This contract is discussed and signed at a required student/parent/staff interview. You can download the Student Expectation Contract here.

Attendance
All students are expected to attend school 100 % of the time. Only illness (with doctor's note) related absences will be accepted. The reason for this is that we believe high attendance correlates directly with high academic success. Further, we have only 5 weeks to prepare for our major trips and it is critical no days are missed. The school day is from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Students must be in school all day or will be counted absent. 3 unexcused absences will result in removal from the school. (details in our Student Expectation Contract)

Academic
We are interested in working with students who want to learn. We expect students to keep up on all work assigned before major trips and all work on trip.

Behavior
We have a strict discipline policy for two reasons. First, major discipline issues at school does not correlate with academic success. Second, we are traveling all over the world and discipline issues are not conducive to success of the program or the individual involved. For example, the use of drugs or theft by a student in a developing country has serious consequences for that individual. When you come for your interview you can review our Student Expectation Contract which details behavioral expectations.

Cost
The costs for the program, including travel for all students are incorporated into our budget. We believe in provided opportunities for students who may not have such opportunities.

• Personal spending money will be provided by student/family.
• Students will be responsible for passports (about $80). We can offer assistance with information, forms, deadlines, etc.
  • To get passport information and application go to the U.S. Passport Office website
• Other small items as they arise, but essentially there will be no big surprises.

Our budget will cover:

• Transportation
• Food
• Lodging
• School supplies/materials

Go to Enroll or find out more. Call us at 651-649-5403 to set up an appointment.