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These might be just 4 of the many questions you have, but if you're reading this right now, you came to the right spot to learn more. |
Why should my child consider a program like this?
That's a great question and tough to answer in a way that applies to every student. This program is unique and in its simplest form, this is a program that allows students to learn in a collaborative project-based format. It is geared towards students who prefer to tackle real-world problems with longer periods of time to get into the “flow” of critical thinking, inquiry, and problem solving.
This is not just a STEM program or a Humanities program, but a program where the foundational Design and Development course teaches all students how to use design thinking to create and solve problems. Design thinking and other problem solving approaches can be applied to learning in Science, Social Studies, and English.
When your child's high school career is over and 4 years have been spent in this program, your child will have more than grades to share with colleges or future employers. Jasper students will have a portfolio of their work to use for college applications or job interviews. Jasper students will have experiences and projects to write about in a college essay or speak about in an interview from course work and real internship experience. Connections in the community can hopefully serve as additional references when applying to college or a job.
It is also important to know that colleges are starting to change their application process. Wake Forest University is a great example and this link takes you to a page that provides their reasons for making test scores optional as part of the application process. Bucknell also has a helpful page explaining their test optional admissions. Some schools, like Wake Forest, have been test score optional for years, but even more are doing it now as a result of the pandemic.
This is not just a STEM program or a Humanities program, but a program where the foundational Design and Development course teaches all students how to use design thinking to create and solve problems. Design thinking and other problem solving approaches can be applied to learning in Science, Social Studies, and English.
When your child's high school career is over and 4 years have been spent in this program, your child will have more than grades to share with colleges or future employers. Jasper students will have a portfolio of their work to use for college applications or job interviews. Jasper students will have experiences and projects to write about in a college essay or speak about in an interview from course work and real internship experience. Connections in the community can hopefully serve as additional references when applying to college or a job.
It is also important to know that colleges are starting to change their application process. Wake Forest University is a great example and this link takes you to a page that provides their reasons for making test scores optional as part of the application process. Bucknell also has a helpful page explaining their test optional admissions. Some schools, like Wake Forest, have been test score optional for years, but even more are doing it now as a result of the pandemic.
Small-school feel in a bigger school with connections to adults
With 2800+ students at Emmaus High School, it can be intimidating for some or just hard to fit in. Jasper provides students with the opportunity to be part of a smaller program in a bigger school. This allows for certain benefits that are really difficult outside the program:
- We can spend more time with the 8-to-9 transition and make sure students are ready for Day 1. This includes a summer meeting between each student and Mr. Mihalik.
- Student-led conferences! Twice a year, students lead a short conference talking about their own experiences in school. In 9th grade, the first conference is between the student and Mr. Mihalik and parents are invited to the conference at the end of the year. Student-led conferences give voice to the students, who can speak to their education better than anyone else.
- We use Advisory time for some specific goals or activities related to Jasper. This gives teachers, administrators, and students a consistent time and space to address important topics to the development of students and discuss issues important to students, the school community, and the greater community at large. This is a time for academic, social-emotional, and personal growth and will be a consistent feature of Jasper throughout all 4 years.
With colleges starting to go test-optional, the college application/admissions landscape is different than it used to be. Click HERE to learn more.
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Click HERE to watch a recording of a parent panel session we held earlier this winter. We were joined by 2 current Jasper parents to talk about their experiences with Jasper so far this year.
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About half of Jasper students' day is in Jasper classes - the other half of the courses are non-Jasper. Click HERE to see which courses are part of Jasper and which are not.
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Click HERE to learn more about the 4-year plan in Jasper. Please note that applying for 9th grade does not mean you must do Jasper all 4 years, but this is our plan for those doing Jasper all 4 years.
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Students will be accepted on a rolling basis through February 28. Students will only be accepted after that date if there is room in the program. Click HERE for more information.
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