Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. Is your school interdenominational?
A. Yes, We have almost all Christian denominations represented in our school. We currently draw from over 25 churches in and around the Pittsburgh area. A faith statement is not required for enrollment, however all students are exposed to Christian teaching. All teachers, administrators and Board of Trustee members sign a faith statement.
Q. Are all your teachers Christians?
A. All teachers who are employed by JCS are required to sign a statement of faith and give a personal testimony of their faith in Christ. It is expected that they will exhibit the fruits of the spirit in their classrooms, and teach from a Christian perspective.
Q. What is the basic concept behind the integrated unit approach to learning?
A. All academic disciplines and skills are taught in relation to the unit topic integrating Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, special subjects, and field experiences under that topic. Each topic gives meaning and purpose to students in learning. Topics are one month in length. An all-school unit focusing on a country is studied in depth every March.
Q. How often do students have field experiences?
A. Students have field experiences at least once a month to coincide with the particular unit their class is working on. This field experience is always an integrated part of the curriculum carefully chosen to enhance the unit or teach something new. Parents are charged an activity fee at the beginning of the school year which covers the cost of all field experiences. Parents are encouraged to go along on out-of-class field experiences to serve as drivers and chaperones.
Q. Do you offer art, foreign language, library, and physical education?
A. All students have art, Spanish, library, and physical education once a week. Fifth and sixth graders have recorder class every week to learn music theory and application.
Q. What is the content of Christian Education at JCS?
A. A: We focus on the Christian character of the students, knowledge of the Scriptures, their relationship with their Lord and Savior, and understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Music, Bible stories and devotions are used to bring the best out in our students' spiritual lives.
Q. Is there any kind of character development instruction in the school?
A. Character development and instruction is integrated into the curriculum, and into the worship experiences of the student body. Lessons are presented at worship which teach appropriate character development through the use of Bible stories and scripture memory which teach the particular character concept being stressed. Parents are kept informed of the concepts being stressed as well as the Scripture Memory. Teachers reinforce these concepts constantly in the classroom.
Q. What expectations do you have for parent involvement?
A. As a parent-run school, we rely on the time and energy of our parents to work with our teachers and administrators. Elected parents serve a three year term on the Board of Trustees to focus on the direction and vision of the school. Day to day volunteer opportunities include driving on out-of-class field experiences, assist with lunch/recess, library assistance, classroom parents, and several one time only events (i.e.: book fair, science fair, and graduation). Parents are expected to serve fours hours a month either in school or out of school.
Q. What are your school hours?
A.School hours are 8:45 am to 3:15 pm.
Q. What grades are available at Jubilee Christian School?
A.We offer half day Kindergarten through sixth grade. We are currently investigating adding 7th and 8th grades.
Q. Are you hard and fast about a Kindergarten child being 5 years old by September 1?
A. Yes, we have found that there must be a firm cutoff date. Children who are 5 before September 1 generally do better in the Kindergarten setting. It also ensures that transfer to a public district would not be problematic.
Q. Do you offer full-day or half-day Kindergarten?
A. We currently offer two half day sessions of Kindergarten. Session one is from 8:45- 11:30; session two is from 12:30-3:15.
Q. Do you offer busing?
A.Public schools that are within a 10 mile radius (edge of district to edge of district) of our school provide busing. Transportation logistics are handled between the office staff of Jubilee and the individual school district. Mt. Lebanon District does not provided busing. JCS has busing from Keystone Oaks, Chartiers Valley, Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, City of Pittsburgh, Baldwin Whitehall, West Allegheny, and South Fayette.
Q. Do students always carry their lunches?
A. Students carry their lunches from home three days a week. On Wednesday and Friday they have the option of buying a catered lunch. Wednesday lunch comes from a variety of vendors. Friday lunch is always Pizza. Students may buy milk daily, either chocolate or white 2% , or apple juice.
Q. How much homework is assigned?
A.Each class has homework and is limited according to time standards set for each grade level (i.e.: 1st grade = 10 minutes, 2nd grade = 20 minutes). Spelling words, reading, math and memory verses are included. Additionally special projects including poster boards and reports are given monthly tying into the unit of study.
Q. Are parents expected to be involved in homework?
A.In the lower grades, parents are expected to oversee their children's homework and read with them, review spelling words and help with their projects. Feedback to the teacher regarding the difficulty or amount of homework is encouraged. In the upper grades, students are expected to take more responsibility for their learning and the goal is to create independent learners in the classroom and at home. Parents are to be available to support this when necessary.
Q. Do students receive report cards?
A. Each student receives a report card every 9 weeks. The first and third nine weeks includes a teacher's conference. A teacher's conference may be requested at any time during the school year. In addition a request may be made to include the principal.
Q. How do students test scores compare with school districts in the area?
A. Our students do very well on standardized tests. We have a great percentage of our students in the 80th and 90th percentile range even though we are not teaching for the test. Our students excel in reading and math; and our 4th grade has been an honored school in Pennsylvania Accelerated Reading program for three years in a row.
Q. What kind of punishment or discipline do you exercise at JCS?
A. Teachers are each expected to have an enforceable system of discipline in their classrooms. Teachers are in close contact with the parents of their students and inform them when a child's behavior is inappropriate. A student may lose recess time or other privileges for misbehavior. Classroom rules are established at the beginning of the year with the students and teacher together. At no time is corporal punishment administered. Parents are always kept informed and work in cooperation with a teacher if there is a problem.
Q. Do you offer special education?
A.Speech and language assistance through the *Allegheny Intermediate Unit is available for students needing assistance in this area. Tutoring is available in reading and math subjects. Jubilee Christian School is not equipped to handle other special education students, at this time.
Q. Do you have after school activities?
A. Currently we offer several after school activities for the children. Students in grades 1-6 can participate in our "Skills & Drills" basketball and volleyball clinics. These clinics are offered as a way for the children to learn about the sports as well as improve their skills in these sports in a noncompetetive setting. Additionally, students in grades 4-6 have the opportunity of joining a boys or girls basketball team as well as a girls volleyball team. Our teams compete with various Christian schools throughout the area.
Q. How much is tuition?
A. We strive to keep tuition cost affordable. Current tuition rates are available in the Tuition & Tuition Assistance section of the site. Scholarships are available and based on financial need. Applications for scholarships are available in the school office or on this web site in the Tuition & Tuition Assistance section. Additionally We offer discounts for multiple children and minister's families.
Q. How often does tuition increase?
A. Tuition increases occur in small increments as need arises to coincide with the increased costs of books and materials, utilities, medical benefit costs, and other costs of operations. However, Jubilee is committed to providing an affordable Christian School education for families and every effort is made to keep tuition as low as possible.
Q. Do you offer any kind of scholarship assistance?
A. Scholarship assistance is offered to families who qualify. A form may be obtained from the school office which requires appropriate income tax information to be submitted. This form is sent to a third party who evaluates it and determines the appropriate financial need of the family. For additonal information, see the Tuition & Tuition Assistance section of the site. We receive tax free donations for our scholarship fund from corporations and private individuals.
Q. Do you offer an extended day program?
A.Yes, we do offer an after school extended day program from 3:15 pm until 6:00 pm. If a family has a need for a before school program we have formed a partnership with Weekday Ministries (across the street from our location). Weekday Ministries may be contacted by calling 412-531-5790.


If you have any more questions, please contact us at 412-561-5917

*For more information concerning the Allegheny Intermediate Unit


Jubilee Christian School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs


Jubilee Christian School ~ 255 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15216  
Phone: 412-561-5917  ~  Fax: 412-561-2857
E-Mail: judi.phelps@jubileechristianschool.org