Academics

Programs for every stage

English immersion in the early years, balanced bilingual learning through elementary, and college-ready pathways in secondary school.

Ages 2–4

Preschool

Designed for children ages 2–4, our preschool program introduces students to English-language education through full immersion. Our curriculum focuses on New Jersey standards and prepares children for elementary school by developing communication, social, and motor skills and introducing biblical characters and Christian values.

Explore the preschool day

A look at the daily experiences that build early academic, social, and creative skills.

Calendar & community

Calendar time is a cherished part of the preschool morning routine, bringing the class together and setting a positive tone for the day. Children identify the date, days of the week, months, and seasons, then talk about their feelings and practice empathy by listening to classmates. Counting, observing the weather, and discussing upcoming events build critical thinking and routines, blending academic readiness with social-emotional learning.

Motor skills

Each day, students practice fine- and gross-motor skills through five hands-on activities that change weekly. These abilities build coordination and control and help prepare children for success throughout their school years.

Reading & storytelling

Teachers read aloud to students every day. Interactive stories spark imagination, expand vocabulary, and introduce early literacy concepts. Children practice listening and comprehension, grow their appreciation for language, and explore the world through books.

Early writing

Writing begins in PK2 with playful, age-appropriate activities as children hold their first pencils and draw their first lines. In PK3 and PK4, they build on these foundations by tracing letters, writing their names, and drawing pictures to tell stories. These experiences develop fine-motor control and early handwriting skills for kindergarten and beyond.

Sounds & early literacy

Structured, playful lessons build the foundations for reading. Children recognize and work with sounds in spoken language by exploring rhymes, clapping syllables, and identifying the beginning sounds in words. These purposeful activities are woven into daily routines and games.

English vocabulary

For many students, preschool is their first experience learning English as an additional language. Songs, stories, visuals, and hands-on activities introduce essential words and phrases. Repetition and guided practice help children understand new vocabulary, communicate in everyday situations, connect with classmates, and grow confident using English.

Bible & character

Faith and character are part of the preschool experience. Age-appropriate Bible lessons and stories introduce God’s love, kindness, and Christian values in ways that engage young children and support spiritual and moral growth in a nurturing, inclusive classroom.

Art & creativity

Art gives children room to explore creativity and self-expression. Paint, playdough, collage, and other materials help them discover color, shape, and texture while developing fine-motor skills and confidence in their own work.

Music & movement

Singing, dancing, and playing simple instruments bring rhythm, melody, and joy into the classroom. Children build listening and coordination while exploring patterns, sequence, and sound. Music also supports early literacy and math and inspires creativity and appreciation for music.

Grades K–5

Elementary

Half English with the homeroom teacher, half Spanish with specialists—balancing U.S. and Dominican standards while preparing for middle school independence.

How elementary learning is organized

Classroom learning

Younger elementary students spend most of the day with their homeroom teacher. In upper elementary, they work with more specialist teachers to prepare for middle school. English and Spanish instruction connect U.S. and Dominican standards.

Computer Science

Computer Science begins in Grade 2 and continues through the elementary grades.

Grades 6–12

Middle & High School

Middle and high school build independence, deepen learning, and prepare students for further study through a truly bilingual education.

School schedule Arrival: 7:30–8:00 AM · Recess/Break: 10:30 AM · Lunch: 1:30 PM · Dismissal: 3:50 PM

Explore middle and high school

Middle School (Grades 6–8)

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, seeing their homeroom teacher during morning homeroom and on Fridays. The school day becomes slightly longer, and longer classes allow for more in-depth study. We aim to develop students’ independence and encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning.

High School (Grades 9–12)

Our high school program prepares graduates for further study and to be productive citizens in whichever field they choose to pursue. Students are responsible for maintaining the established grade point average (GPA) and conduct record. At this level, students receive a truly bilingual education and are expected to make regular progress toward admission to a college or university in the Dominican Republic or the United States.

Subjects

United States of America · New Jersey State Standards

  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Science
  • Computer Science
  • Bible Studies
  • Career Readiness (Grade 12 only)

Dominican Republic Ministry of Education

  • Spanish Language
  • Social Sciences
  • Physical Education
  • French
  • Art
How learning works at JCS

Practice, feedback & progress

Regular feedback helps teachers understand student progress and adjust instruction. Lessons include whole-class, small-group, and individual activities.

Active, student-centered learning

Students have opportunities to move, explore, practice independence, and take an active role in learning in a safe, orderly, family-oriented environment.

Character in daily life

Patience, compassion, humility, solidarity, perseverance, forgiveness, self-control, honesty, and responsibility guide daily life at JCS.

Family partnership

Families partner with JCS to support the school’s mission and each student’s learning.

Grade-by-grade subject guide
English Language Arts · K–12
Kindergarten: letter sounds, reading and writing basics, simple vocabulary. Grade 1: letter sounds and digraphs, sentences, vocabulary. Grade 2: advanced phonics, comprehension, fluency, short paragraphs. Grade 3: reading strategies, grammar basics, structured writing. Grade 4: text types, grammar, multi-paragraph writing. Grade 5: text analysis, essays, vocabulary. Grades 6–11: reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Grade 12: independent reading across text types, polished academic writing, advanced grammar and vocabulary.
Mathematics · K–12
Kindergarten: number sense, shapes, patterns. Grade 1: counting to 120, addition, subtraction, place value, early time and money. Grade 2: carrying and borrowing, measurement, simple graphs. Grade 3: multiplication, division, fractions, problem-solving. Grade 4: multi-digit operations, fractions, decimals, geometry. Grade 5: fraction and decimal operations, volume, problem-solving. Grade 6: rational numbers, operations, fractions, decimals, problem-solving. Grade 7: introductory geometry and statistics. Grade 8: introductory algebra and statistics. Grade 9: Algebra I. Grade 10: Geometry. Grade 11: Algebra II. Grade 12: Pre-Calculus.
Science · grades 1–12
Grade 1: animals, matter, weather. Grade 2: Earth materials, forces, plants. Grade 3: what science is, technology, ecosystems. Grade 4: living things and their environments, electricity and magnetism, water, air, and land interactions. Grade 5: nature of science, changes to Earth’s surface, food and nutrition, ecosystems. Grade 6: energy, atmosphere, diversity of life, interdependence. Grade 7: geology, energy and matter, dynamic equilibrium. Grade 8: astronomy, ecology. Grade 9: Biology. Grade 10: Chemistry I and Genetics. Grade 11: Chemistry II and Anatomy. Grade 12: Organic Chemistry and Physics.
Social Studies · K–12
Kindergarten: Who am I? Grade 1: my school and family. Grade 2: my community. Grade 3: my community and beyond. Grade 4: regions of the United States. Grade 5: the building of our country. Grade 6: growth of the United States. Grade 7: introduction to world history. Grade 8: introduction to world geography. Grade 9: U.S. History. Grade 10: World History. Grade 11: Government. Grade 12: Psychology.
French · grades 6–12
Grade 6: greetings, basic vocabulary, phonics, present tense. Grade 7: descriptions, family and school, regular verbs, questions, opinions. Grade 8: past tense, daily life, food, travel, cultural awareness. Grade 9: imperfect tense, comparisons, reasons, short narratives. Grade 10: future and conditional tenses, social issues, extended speaking and writing. Grade 11: complex grammar, authentic texts, debate, text analysis. Grade 12: advanced accuracy, independent expression, literature and media analysis.
Secondary courses · grades 6–12
Grade 6
English|3 periods/week; Mathematics|3 periods/week; Spanish|3 periods/week; Sociales|3 periods/week; Social Studies|3 periods/week; Science|3 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|2 periods/week; French|2 periods/week; Computer Science|2 periods/week; Physical Education|2 periods/week; Art & Music|2 periods/week; Health|1 class each quarter
Grade 7
English|3 periods/week; Mathematics|3 periods/week; Spanish|3 periods/week; Sociales|3 periods/week; Social Studies|3 periods/week; Science|3 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|2 periods/week; French|2 periods/week; Computer Science|2 periods/week; Physical Education|2 periods/week; Art & Music|2 periods/week; Health|1 class each quarter
Grade 8
English|3 periods/week; Mathematics|3 periods/week; Spanish|3 periods/week; Sociales|3 periods/week; Social Studies|3 periods/week; Science|3 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|2 periods/week; French|2 periods/week; Computer Science|2 periods/week; Physical Education|2 periods/week; Art & Music|2 periods/week; Health|1 class each quarter
Grade 9
English|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Algebra I|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Sociales|10 credits · 3 periods/week; U.S. History|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Biology|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|5 credits · 2 periods/week; French|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Computer Science|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Physical Education|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Art & Music|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Health|1 class each quarter
Grade 10
English|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Geometry|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish Literature|Course listed; Sociales|10 credits · 3 periods/week; World History|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Chemistry I|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Genetics|7 credits · 2 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|5 credits · 2 periods/week; French|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Computer Science|2.5 credits · 1 period/week; Physical Education|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Art & Music|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Health|1 class each quarter
Grade 11
English|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Algebra II|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish Literature|Course listed; Sociales|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Social Studies elective|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Chemistry II|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Anatomy|7 credits · 2 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|5 credits · 2 periods/week; French|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Computer Science|2.5 credits · 1 period/week; Physical Education|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Art & Music|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Personal Finance|2.5 credits · 1 period/week; Health|1 class each quarter
Grade 12
English|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Pre-Calculus|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Spanish Literature|Course listed; Sociales|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Social Studies elective|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Organic Chemistry|10 credits · 3 periods/week; Physics|7 credits · 2 periods/week; Bible / Chapel|5 credits · 2 periods/week; French|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Computer Science|2.5 credits · 1 period/week; Physical Education|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Art & Music|5 credits · 2 periods/week; Career Readiness|2.5 credits · 1 period/week; Health|1 class each quarter