Frequently Asked Questions

Juneau Community Charter School is a free, public school with open enrollment through the Juneau School District. 

Charter schools in Alaska operate under a contract with their local school district. At JCCS, this agreement allows us to be part of the Juneau School District while giving governance authority to an elected group of parents. This structure provides us with the flexibility to select our own curriculum and determine how it’s delivered.

The school day for all students in Kindergarten through 8th grade begins at 8:30 am and ends at 3:00 pm, with Mondays being early release days at 2:30pm. If needed, early arrival accommodations can be arranged. 

In the morning, all JCCS students in grades K–8 ride their neighborhood elementary school bus. Upon arrival, they wait for a transfer bus alongside other JCCS and optional program students. This second bus brings them to the front of the Dzantik’i Heeni building, where a JCCS staff member greets them in the cafeteria. Students remain there until 8:25 a.m., when teachers escort them to their classrooms.

In the afternoon, bus riders walk to the bus room(which is in the gym), where they wait for their buses. Snacks and activities are provided during this time, and the space is supervised by staff and/or parent volunteers.

For specific drop-off and pick-up times, please refer to the JSD Bus Info & Routes. 

All students in grades K–8 take part in “Centers,” where they choose from a variety of engaging, hands-on activities based on their interests. This student-choice model not only boosts engagement but also fosters friendships and a strong sense of community. Some centers align with school-wide themes, while others offer opportunities for collaboration and creativity in focused areas. Past centers have included chess, Kapla block building, sewing, Gak making, baking and cooking, sled construction, jump rope, art projects, and much more. 

Yes! JCCS participates in the Juneau School Districts' free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch program for all eligible students. 

JCCS offers a variety of extracurricular activities that evolve each year based on student interest and the availability of parent volunteers. Previous offerings have included Lego Robotics, Chess Club, Archery, Blacksmithing Club, and Precision Marksmanship. 

JCCS students have full access to all sports offered by the Juneau School District. Students interested in sports such as football, basketball, or track typically join the Thunder Mountain Middle School teams. Each year, many of our students choose to participate in these programs. While transportation to and from practices is the responsibility of families, parents often work together to coordinate rides from JCCS to practice.

Students typically eat lunch in the DZ cafeteria, but when the weather is nice, classes may enjoy lunch outside.

PE takes place in the gym on the first floor of the DZ building, but sometimes it turns into an off-site adventure! Our students have gone ice skating at Treadwell Arena, cross-country skiing, practiced archery at Gastineau School, climbed at Zach Gordon, and more.

Recess is almost always held outdoors on our muddy field and under the covered area—rain or shine—so please be sure your child comes dressed for the weather!

At JCCS, we do not use traditional letter grades for students in grades K–8. Instead, teachers provide detailed narrative reports that describe classroom activities, highlight each student’s strengths, and identify areas for growth. These narratives offer a more complete picture of your child’s learning journey. If you have additional questions beyond what’s covered in the report or at parent-teacher conferences, we encourage you to reach out directly to your child’s teacher. 

At JCCS, volunteering is always highly welcomed, but NEVER required. If your schedule allows, please consider helping out by volunteering in classrooms, lunch/recess monitoring, and other activities as needed!

Concerns should first be brought to your child’s classroom teacher, who is the primary point of contact for most questions and issues. For broader concerns or topics that extend beyond the classroom, the Facilitating Teacher may also be involved.

For matters related to school-wide policies, structure, or governance, families are encouraged to connect with members of the Academic Policy Committee (APC). The APC holds monthly meetings (see the school calendar for dates) and members are also available for individual discussions.

The APC is responsible for overseeing the overall management of JCCS. This includes communication with external bodies such as the Juneau City Assembly and the Juneau School District Board of Education, managing the school’s budget, supervising the Facilitating Teacher and non-classroom staff, hiring personnel, and creating, reviewing, and updating school policies. The APC also plays a key role in shaping the school’s curriculum and academic approach.