Learning with autism is better, here.
With a vision of creating a new location to help overcome significant operational challenges and better serve the autism community, Janus Academy moved into our new campus in August 2020.
1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism
(Centre for Disease Control, 2020).
The need is great. Each year, too many families are turned away from Janus Academy due to lack of capacity. And the opportunity to bring students together in a single location is long overdue.
YOU can be a part of the caring community on a mission to a bold dream: enabling life long resilience for families in our new location that steps up and joins us in achieving a bold dream: a new school for our students.
A place where children can overcome the significant boundaries imposed by autism, learn to function in society, lead happy and meaningful lives; and acquire the greatest level of independence possible.
With your support, our new campus offers:
All students together in one location (grades 1 to 12)
Additional classrooms and learning space
Helping more families
Expansion of programs (Physical Literacy/Education, STEM, Employment Readiness)
Opportunities for community integration and partnerships
High and low ratio classrooms
Training and support for families
We believe autism is not an end, but an incredible opportunity to see the unique potential in each and every child and help them flourish.
Let’s chat about how you can partner to build hope and empower futures for children and youth with autism.
Carlene Chrumka, Chief Executive Officer
P: 403-262-3333 or 403-860-5004
E: carlene.chrumka@janusacademy.org
Registered Charity Number # 88970-4144-RR0001
Want to know more about our new school or Building our Future Together Campaign? We want to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why a new school? And why now?
We have been operating at full capacity for the past few years and the dream to have our own space with the ability to serve more children and families was finally realized in September 2020. The need is critical now more than ever. It has been a long journey in search of the right space that meet all needs, budgetary restrictions and sustainability. We believe we have found a space that will allow us to continue “building our future.”
Why is it important for students to be together in one location?
No more separation between 2 campuses… Why?
So students like Nadia no longer have to lose their friends due to transitioning from one campus to another. She can move forward AND keep her friendships. This is especially important for children with autism because they often have difficulty navigating new environments and having familiar teaching staff to support their continued growth is invaluable.
How will the extra space be used? Why do you need so much space?
More room, for more students. Our previous classroom space was far too tight. We’ve turned away too many students and their families over the years. This community needs schools like Janus and the needs are growing each year.
We’ve added more space so we can create opportunities for another 5 to 10 more families each year. Local families deserve to find the right school for their child, and not have their child struggle in a learning environment that doesn’t meet their needs.
How will having more students impact current students at Janus?
More new students means more friendships. Children like Lucas can have challenges making new friends at times. Nearly two-thirds of children with autism reported being bullied.
“CLOUD NINE!!! So… Lucas JUST got his FIRST phone call ever from a new friend at school!!! I learned that Lucas was handing out my number to all his new friends when he started at this new school. Driving home today I answered a call and a boy asked for Lucas. I said I would be home in 5 min. He hung up (LOL). Exactly 5 minutes later he called back. They said “hi”, “what are you doing”, and “how are you” back and forth several times. Then he hung up again. LUCAS HAS FRIENDS!!!! I’ll just take another minute to cry some happy tears. SO many amazing firsts for my boy!!!“
– Jody Castle (Janus Parent)
With high and low staff-to-student ratios and a foundation in the ABA approach, we know that current Janus students will adapt well to having a larger peer group.