The Japhet School is a preschool-8th grade private school in Clawson, Michigan in Metro Detroit. Founded in 1973, it is an independent school, serving children in preschool through 8th grade. Its mission is to nurture and prepare children for life by integrating character education with a strong academic program. The school provides small classes, which are purposefully designed as “blends,” or two-grade classrooms. This setup enables teachers to challenge students with academic material that is appropriate for their intellectual readiness, regardless of age or grade. A small school with six classrooms, fewer than 100 children attend Japhet School each year. Integrated with academics is Japhet School’s national award-winning character education curriculum, which aims to build a peaceful community within the school and give Japhet students a foundation of character. Japhet is a National School of Character, and was the first school in Michigan—and the first independent school in the country—to receive this award. Despite Japhet's small size, large neighboring school districts have engaged Japhet School educators to train their own teachers in Japhet's character education method. Japhet staff also travel out of state to conduct this training.
History
In 1973 a group of teachers and parents founded the school. Their rationale was that public schools were no longer being "moral educators". For the 2001-2002 school year Japhet was one of nine schools to be named a "National Character School" by the Character Education Partnership. In 2013, Japhet School celebrated its 40th anniversary. On August 20 of that year it moved from its former Madison Heights campus to a renovated former YWCA building in Clawson.
A low student-to-teacher ratio gives individual support and increased opportunity to excel. Each classroom has two grades within it, a purposeful design to enable academic individualization. Students in all grades know each other by name, and teachers and staff know each child in the school. Japhet School teachers teach children for two years in this small setting. This affords first-hand knowledge and awareness of each student’s accomplishments and potential, as well as insight into the learning styles of each child.
The school does not offer religious education. The school has "Inspo", a weekly assembly involving speakers giving speeches to students. October—Pumpkin Patch, an all-school field trip to Blake's Orchard. Students are paired as multi-age "buddies," a pairing that is revisited with special activities throughout the year. November—Gratitude Service, an hour-long presentation on gratitude just prior to Thanksgiving, prepared by the 7th/8th-grade class. December—Holiday Giving, a musical holiday concert in which all students perform. January—Math Week, culminating in Family Math Night, where students bring their parents in for math-based activities, and Taste of the World Lunch March—Science Extravaganza and Dessert Auction. Science Extravaganza features either Science Fair or Invention Fair. Dessert Auction features an auction of desserts prepared by the parents.
