Flagstaff Junior Academy provides a solid academic foundation beginning in our early childhood program with children ages 3-6 in our Children’s House program. This program is pre-K and Kindergarten and is firmly rooted in the Montessori philosophy and practices. Our elementary campus continues with grades 1st through 4th and our middle school serves 5th-8th grades. Each grade focuses on core content areas including reading, language, math, and science, as well as an emphasis on art, music, physical health and wellness, and Spanish language classes.
OUR MISSION
*An academic and exploratory experience that includes data-driven teaching practices, inclusive education and individual guidance to the development of independence.
*An environment that promotes self-esteem and a desire for excellence as well as one that instills responsibility and community.
*An atmosphere that encourages parents and families to become part of their child’s school experience and education.
OUR VISION
Educating the whole child through academics, experiential excellence, and community.
We see this vision of Flagstaff Junior Academy through in the following ways
Academics
If you were unable to attend our Virtual Open House and are interested in “meeting” our teaching teams, click the links below to view a recording.
Experiential Excellence
At FJA we firmly believe that students learn by doing. FJA brings hands-on learning into the classroom as well as takes students out into the world to learn about math and science and how it is used outside of the classroom. This translates into experiences outside of school, including a number of learning field trips at all grade levels.
Community
We strive for a community of learners at FJA, and we teach about community on a daily basis. Both campuses have regular school wide community meetings where students have the opportunity to share and learn from each other. FJA has collaborations with numerous outside organizations where our students learn about the community and take part in learning within the community. And our students participate in community service projects to build a broader sense of community and responsibility.
As part of teaching about community, the FJA Board approved a student-initiated schoolwide Climate Change Resolution and directed school administration to develop a Climate Change Committee to identify areas where FJA can not only teach students about the science of climate change, but also identify ways in which FJA can reduce its carbon footprint and impact on our local and global community.
Parent Involvement
FJA encourages collaboration between teachers and parents. Parents can become involved in the FJA community by:
Reading school newsletters and emails
Volunteering in the classroom and/or for field trips
Attending school functions such as the Back to School BBQ, Parent Night, and other special events
Attending monthly Board Meetings
Answering the Parent Survey that is dispersed once a year
Parents are also encouraged to communicate with their child’s teacher outside at dismissal and to check middle school grades through our online gradebook
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a particular way to pay attention and bring awareness to one’s experience.
You can ask any student at FJA how they practice mindfulness breathing and they will show you. FJA teachers and students practice mindfulness in their classroom regularly. Staff and students alike are benefiting from mindfulness being part of our school culture.
Our counselor Emmanuelle Giumelli, MA is certified to teach mindfulness and has been teaching and training FJA teachers and staff since 2013. Each classroom participates in an 8 week mindfulness class where mindfulness curriculum is practiced by students and teachers are supported to implement mindfulness into their daily schedule.
Please contact Emmanuelle Giumelli for more information on our mindfulness program at FJA.
The benefits of mindfulness for children are many:
Better focus and concentration
Increased sense of calm
Improved impulse control
Increased empathy and understanding of others
Decreased anxiety
Improved academic achievement
The benefits of mindfulness for children are many:
Better focus and concentration
Increased sense of calm
Improved impulse control
Increased empathy and understanding of others
Decreased anxiety
