Why does Janus Academy exist?
In 1996, five families who all had children diagnosed with autism, sought an education that would help their children thrive. They wanted a supportive teaching environment that was not available at the time. Janus Academy opened its doors in September 1997 with 8 students and 8 staff. This September, we welcomed 90 students, from grades 1 to 12, and 67 staff to our campus. It is a school that was built by parents, for parents.
With the prevalence of autism rising at alarming rates, Janus Academy sees the need for specialized education more than ever. The last four years have seen a record number of applications and families have moved across the country to access our services. Some of our families commute daily from neighbouring towns such as Airdrie, Bragg Creek, Strathmore, Okotoks and Chestermere.
We meet students where they are at and nurture individual development through our continuum of learning. With care and support, our highly trained staff provide a safe and responsive environment for all students.
What services does Janus Academy provide?
Janus Academy operates as an accredited, independent, non profit school to meet the unique educational needs of school-aged children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), from grades 1 to 12. We also operate a summer camp program for children with ASD during July and August.
Janus Academy is one of the only autism-exclusive schools in Alberta that provides customized educational programming to autistic children with an Applied Behavior Analysis approach. Calgary’s mainstream educational system is not equipped, staffed or structured to effectively support autistic children with complex needs in learning, self-regulation and behavior management.
We believe autism is not an end, but an opportunity to see the unique potential in all children and help them flourish.
Support Student Community Involvement
Supporting student opportunities to engage with the community is crucial for their educational development and personal growth. Having reliable modes of transportation is a critical factor in ensuring these outings are possible. Janus’s current fleet of aging vehicles is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, and the associated costs are rapidly climbing. Our present vehicles also require drivers with special licenses which adds an extra financial burden due to the need for specific training and certification.
Your support is vital to allow us to interact with our larger community.
Our students frequently engage in activities that extend beyond the classroom, such as:
- Volunteering and Employment Readiness opportunities at local organizations
- Accessing community parks and recreational facilities
- Participating in educational field trips that complement classroom learning
These opportunities provide essential hands-on learning experiences and foster strong connections with the community. By investing in new, more efficient vehicles, we will reduce the need for specialized drivers and significantly lower maintenance costs.
The cost to purchase new 10 passenger vans is approximately $80,000 per vehicle. We will need to purchase 3 vehicles (over the next 3 – 4 years) to meet our student needs. Please help us realize this goal.
Help Janus Academy keep our doors open and help more families for years to come?
- One-time gift
- Monthly Giving
- Yearly Pledge
- Legacy Giving
- Gifts in Kind
Donations are appreciated in any amount at anytime to help us continually support our existing families, and welcome new ones.
WATCH OUR 2024 IMPACT VIDEO HERE, showcasing the journey of three of our families.
Investing in families helps Calgary now and for generations into the future. We can build brighter futures TOGETHER.
If you are interesting in getting involved, please contact Carlene Chrumka at [email protected].
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Thank YOU.