Squares to Circles: A Capital Campaign for Janus
An expression of how most of our students feel before they attend The Janus School, the poet writes of “confusion, misunderstanding, and frustration” wrapped in an acute awareness of being different. This individual, a former student who wrote the work “Squares to Circles” at 16, was fortunate because in 1991, a group of four parents decided to create a school where children with learning differences could learn skills they would need to succeed in life.
Thirty-four years later, The Janus School remains the only independent K–12 day school in central Pennsylvania dedicated to serving students with language-based learning disabilities and welcoming those with many neurodiverse diagnoses to grow and thrive in our community. As an organization, we are looking to the future also to grow and continue to thrive… but we cannot do it alone. We need you in our circle!
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Why This Campaign Matters: Two Goals to Strengthen Janus
Our recent re-accreditation and the changes of the global pandemic caused school leaders to re-assess Janus holistically. To continue to provide the Janus education we know works, we must do two things:
Invest in Teaching and Financial Aid
Modernize Our Building
The funds raised by the Squares to Circles Campaign will create a better, more accessible Janus. Not all great minds think alike, and because our students learn differently, The Janus School teaches differently. We focus on educating each child by helping them discover how they learn. Our students confront their learning differences head-on and become their own biggest advocates in negotiating school, work, and life.
Please join us to give Janus “circles” the tools they need to learn, understand, and succeed in a world designed for “squares.”
View Our Case For SupportCampaign Update
Through the generous support of our donors and amazing Janus community, we are making great progress toward our goal.
Squares to Circles: What’s in a Name?
Inspired by the poem “Squares to Circles” by a former Janus student, our campaign name captures the spirit of transformation. The poet’s words speak of problems experienced by people with learning differences as they strive to make sense of their world and the poet’s joy at discovering a place where they fit in “despite all my troubles.”
Read the full poem
Invest in Teaching
Teachers are the most essential feature of the Janus experience. Their skills, passion for teaching, and dedication to every student empower the circles to feel accepted—just as they are.
REWARDING THEIR COMMITMENT
Our teachers could earn more money at a public school. They chose Janus because they love the sense of community, working together as a cohesive team, and the chance to make a significant difference in every student’s life. School leaders believe Janus must build the capacity to reduce the salary gap with other schools.
Invest in Financial Aid
Family demographic trends indicate that Janus will need to provide increasing amounts of financial aid as fewer families are able to pay full tuition. Additional scholarships and higher need-based awards will enable more circles to find their place to belong. Like most non-public schools, Janus does not charge the full cost of providing an education for our students. Our tuition reflects the special individualized attention each student receives. Families can obtain funding from their student’s school district, although the amount varies widely and can be challenging to secure.
HONORING JAN
Jan Gillespie, our amazing former Head of School, retired in 2023 after 12 years at Janus. To honor her life-changing impact on so many students, families, and teachers, the Squares to Circles Campaign will create the Jan Gillespie Fund for Educational Excellence.
Modernize Our Building
School design standards have changed since our building was constructed in 1998. Major renovations to the front entrance will incorporate up-to-date security features while enhancing collaboration and conveying a sense of welcome to all visitors.
FOUR VITAL GOALS FOR FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS
1. A Safer School: A new secure lobby, enhanced surveillance, and upgraded emergency systems will make Janus even safer for students, staff, and visitors.
2. Warmth and Welcome: Redesigning the entrance and reception area will create a more beautiful, inviting space that reflects the care at the heart of the Janus experience.
3. Collaboration and Efficiency By Design: Strategically reconfigured office spaces will strengthen teamwork, streamline decision-making, and support a more unified school community.
4. More Restrooms: The renovations will add unisex bathrooms for faculty, staff, and students on both floors.
“Just what I need, a school for people like me – For those others with learning disabilities…”
We need your help to make our beloved Janus an even better place to learn for all the circles in this square world.
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SUCCESS STORY:
Meet Olivia
To enable Olivia to attend Janus, her family makes a 30-minute drive to and from Kutztown to Reading each day to meet the Janus bus. “Every day here is so amazing, and that’s because of the teachers,” Olivia said. “They’re incredibly helpful, and they really care about me. Before Janus, I couldn’t even think about the future. The teachers here helped turn that around.”
SUCCESS STORY:
Ozzy’s Transformation
When Ozzy started his Janus journey in 7th grade, he was reading well below grade level. With the help of his teachers, he learned not only to read but to love reading. After his senior year, he enrolled in Janus’ Transitions program. It changed his perspective and outlook on his future. The program meant so much to him that he paid the tuition for the third year himself. Today, Ozzy works for Amazon, has his own personal library, and is taking college courses.
Circles to Squares: A Capital Campaign for The Janus School
Investing in our teachers, making Janus more affordable, and modernizing our facilities will require a minimum community investment of $3.5 million. Your support is essential for The Janus School to have the resources to teach differently because the circles who attend Janus learn differently.
SUMMARY OF CAPITAL CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
Investments in teaching and increased financial aid Jan Gillespie Fund for Educational Excellence: $1,650,000
Construction and renovations: $1,600,000
Marketing and campaign costs: $250,000
MINIMUM GOAL $3,500,000
ANTICIPATED SOURCES OF FUNDING
Cash gifts, multi-year pledges, gifts-in-kind, planned/estate gifts: $2,289,000
State grants (secured): $1,211,000
TOTAL $3,500,000
Your support will make student success possible for the next 34 years and beyond.
Please join us in helping The Janus School empower more children with learning differences to achieve their full potential. Please contact us today to learn more about The Janus School or discuss your gift.
Heather Strunk, Head of School
717.653.0025 x101
hstrunk@TheJanusSchool.org
Ashlee Hurley, Director of Development
717.653.0025 x105
ahurley@TheJanusSchool.org