History

Japhet School was founded in 1973. It opened at a time when public education institutions were removing the teaching of values from the daily lives of schoolchildren. Japhet’s six original trustees were parents and educators who were devoted to the idea that character instruction and strong academics went hand in hand. Japhet began with 27 students who were Christian Scientists. Religion never was, nor is today, taught at Japhet School.

36 years later, Japhet is an independent, co-educational day school for children of diverse backgrounds. Faculty, staff, and trustees also represent a variety of life experiences. We emphasize the academic fundamentals from which knowledge, understanding and moral values develop and deepen.  High and consistent standards promote the development of strong academic skills and an expression of high personal integrity.

Small classes, taught by dedicated faculty who mentor students and serve as role models, provide a joyful, supportive and caring environment that is designed to encourage active listening, critical thinking skills, cooperative participation, and confident leadership.  The Japhet educational program provides opportunities for students to express excellent scholarship based on the belief that all children possess intelligence, talents, and gifts.  It is the obligation of the teacher to discover those talents and to encourage their demonstration.

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Timeline

1973    School opened in September for children who attended Christian Science Sunday Schools.

1975    Granted non-profit, corporate status as an elementary K-8 school.

1976    Moved to our present location in a Lamphere School District building in Madison Heights, Michigan.  Japhet developed a character quality curriculum that became integrated into our academic curriculum.

1983    Infant/toddler and latchkey programs started.

1984    Full-service, licensed day care center opened. Earned approval for 9th grade. Introduced computer curriculum. Received provisional membership in the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), an association of more than 200 schools in 15 states.

1991    Received full membership and accreditation by ISACS.

1996    Children of all religions were invited to enroll.

1999    Japhet completed self-study and renewed full ISACS accreditation.

2000    Japhet honored by the country of Ghana with a personal visit, recognizing a student-led service project to supply books to Ghana’s schoolchildren. General Motors looked to Japhet educators for lesson plans on environmental stewardship. Target Corporation named Japhet as an Outstanding School in America.

2001    Japhet honored as a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership — the first Michigan school and first independent school in the country to win this award. Japhet schoolteacher assists school in England develop its own character education program.

2003    Japhet hosted our first character conference entitled “Promoting Student Character, Integrity and Leadership” with Hal Urban.

2004    Japhet co-sponsored with Birmingham Public Schools the conference entitled “Building Schools and Communities of Character” with Thomas Lickona; approximately 800 attended, and since this time BPS has had schools designated as a National and a Michigan School of Character.

2005    Prepared self-study for ISACS re-accreditation.

2006    Hosted our 3rd Annual Character Conference entitled “Building a Family of Character” with Chick Moorman and break-out sessions from Japhet educators. Joined the Troy Chamber of Commerce.

2007    Granted ISACS reaccreditation until 2014. Created Strategic Plan. Joined IASBCS (International Association of Schools Based on Christian Science) as a founding member. Hosted 4th Annual Character Conference with Chick Moorman, and presented at a character conference for Detroit and Pontiac schoolteachers. Piloted Algebra 1 as standard mathematics course for eighth-graders (and younger students as appropriate).

2008    Japhet celebrated 35 years. Hosted 5th Annual Character Conference with Sean Hogan-Downey. Implemented Robert Andreasen, Marjorie Hale, Henry Buelow, and Winnie Buelow Merit Scholarships. Piloted revised Science and Math curricula in all grade levels, meeting or exceeding current Michigan and national benchmarks.

2009     Japhet recognized as a Michigan Green School. Japhet teachers and staff presented on the benefits of character education in various venues. Fall 2009: Piloting Writer’s Workshop in elementary and middle school grades, and piloting revised Social / Global Studies curriculum that meets or exceeds current Michigan and national benchmarks. Japhet to host our 6th Annual Character Conference, which will focus on helping teachers, parents, and children make ethical decisions while using the Internet.