15 years. “She nurtured this school
with everything she had and we are
so grateful for her time, effort and
dedication.”
In September 2002, Jubilee moved
to the education wing of Mt. Lebanon
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
and increased staff to support a
growing enrollment and expanded
curriculum. During the past decade, it
has maintained the integrated style of
teaching and expanded to include new
classes, workshops and programs for
students.
“We have introduced engaging
components into the kids’ course
work, such as Lego robotics, Junior
Achievement programs, music, and
‘Mad Science’ as part of our electives,”
says Strauna. “We also have Snapology
as part of our daily curriculum and a
running club to expand after-school
offerings.”
To mark its growth and success,
Jubilee Christian School held a gala
to celebrate accomplishments and the
30th anniversary with a special dinner
at LeMont on Mt. Washington.
“At the end of the school year in
May, we invited alumni, families and
speakers, including Mary Wolling, to
our dinner,” recounts Booher. “We
had people stand and speak about the
impact our school and its teaching style
has had on their lives, as well as their
“She nurtured this
school with everything
she had and we are so
grateful for her time,
effort and dedication.”
children and grandchildren. It was so
moving.”
One of the ways Jubilee influenced
students’ early education learning is by
keeping class sizes regulated.
“Each class has no more than 16
students,” explains Strauna. “This enables
us to monitor each child’s learning
more closely, provide a more hands-on
approach, and offer a more differentiated
teaching style. Our students thrive in
this environment because we integrate
traditional classroom style teaching
with technology and outside learning
opportunities via field trips.”
She adds, “We enjoy taking learning
outside the classroom, too. We visit the
Frick Museum, Cathedral of Learning
at the University of Pittsburgh, the
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aviary, Meadowcroft,
the Trolley Museum, and overnight trips
to Gettysburg and Philadelphia. All of
these trips help bring a real-world view to
the lessons the kids learn at school.”
Jubilee’s student demographic
encompasses kids from the City of
Pittsburgh and the South Hills, including
the districts of Bethel Park, Canon-Mac,
Chartiers Valley, Mt. Lebanon, Peters
Township, South Fayette and Upper St.
Clair. Township busing is also available
to transport kids to and from school, just
like public school.
Funding for Jubilee is a combination
of tuition, state funding and several
fundraisers, which help cover costs
associated with running a private school.
But the teachers, administrators and
parents are all happy to put in their best
effort to keep all of the necessary and
extra programs available to the children.
“Our teachers know working at Jubilee
takes a lot of extra time and sacrifice,”
says Strauna. “And they are happy to
do so because of the way our school
chooses to teach the kids, which is
making better conceptual connections
to the information we’re teaching. And,
we know it’s instilling a lifelong love
of learning in our students while also
providing an amazing place where kids
can be treasured and loved.” ■
CANON-MAC
❘
WINTER 2018
19