The Joy School

Last night, TJS parents celebrated the start of the school year with each other in the Watt Activity Center by mingling, exchanging stories of summer vacations, and making plans for future school events.

Curious about the summer reading picks of your favorite teachers?

Read With Us: TJS Teachers and Staff Share Their Favorite Summer Reads The Joy School teachers and staff share some of their favorite summer reads including Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors by Rachel Gobbel, which we will be reading together as a staff this school year.

From bedtime routines to easing first-day jitters, Ms. Harris has six golden tips for parents who want to prepare their children for success this school year!

Setting Your Child Up for a Successful School Year - Six Helpful Hints for Parents Here are some helpful hints one of our 2nd grade teachers put together, meant to help parents thoughtfully prepare their children for a brand-new school year.

If you read our latest blog post you'll be inspired by the incredible growth of a recent TJS graduate and learn the only way these kinds of incredible transformations can happen.

Celebrating a Transformative Journey: A Student's Inspiring Growth This article celebrates a student's transformation and achievements, highlighting the support, persistence, and belief that contributed to her growth and success.

☀️ The Joy School Summer Programs are off to a sunny start! ☀️

Our summer programs not only brighten up the most common areas of difficulty for students with learning differences, including reading, writing, spelling, math, handwriting, and keyboarding skills, but also help them shine with enhanced social, cognitive, and executive functioning skills.

Catch a glimpse of the summertime academics on campus in these pics 📸🌞

Celebrating the unique and wonderful 8th-grade class!! 🎓✨

This group stands out with their cool personalities, kindness, and willingness to celebrate each other's uniqueness.

Parents played a huge role in holding their kids accountable and helping them grow from their mistakes.

Teachers showered them with love, and the administration trusted them with leadership roles.

This class truly embodies what it means to be a community.

Congratulations to these amazing students! 🌟📚🎉

Watching your child struggle in school is tough, but understanding the reasons behind it can make all the difference.

Our latest blog post explores common academic challenges and offers practical advice on addressing them effectively.

Click the link to learn how to support your child's educational journey and help them thrive!

Why Does My Child Dislike School? This guide helps parents understand and address the various academic struggles children face from kindergarten to eighth grade, including learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral issues, lack of motivation, educational gaps, and high expectations.

Our Moving On Ceremony was a joyous celebration of our students' incredible journeys! 🎓✨

Many teachers became emotional while sharing memories of the students' journeys and unique contributions to their classrooms, illustrating the bittersweetness of May.

Although our mission is to prepare students to transition seamlessly into traditional school environments, it’s always hard to say goodbye to such great kiddos!

This year, our students are spreading their wings and heading to these fantastic schools:

A New Leaf School,
Annunciation Orthodox School,
Beth Yeshuran Day School,
Hogg Middle School,
Memorial Drive Elementary,
Presbyterian School,
Riverwood Middle School,
St. Anne Catholic School,
St. Francis Episcopal School,
St. Mark's Episcopal,
St. Mark's Episcopal School,
St. Thomas Episcopal School,
TASIS Portugal,
The Briarwood School,
The Post Oak School,
Veritas Christian Academy,
West University Elementary,
and Zue S. Bales Intermediate School.

Their readiness shines through in their academic achievements and social maturity, and we couldn't be prouder as our students embark on their new adventures!

🍎✨ Celebrating The Exceptional Joy School Teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week! ✨🍎

As we exclusively serve students with learning differences, our teachers play a crucial role in guiding each student toward success in academics and life.

In addition to curriculum expertise, Joy School teachers must possess specific social aptitudes tailored to our student's needs:

✨listening closely
✨embracing differences
✨acknowledging strengths and weaknesses
✨celebrating progress over perfection

These qualities ensure every student feels deeply understood, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential in academic achievement and life skills.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our remarkable teachers for their unwavering dedication to nurturing the potential of every student! 📚💖

Garden to Classroom! 🌿🍽️

From planting seeds to watching them grow, our Lower School students have been learning about the slow journey from soil to plate by cultivating a garden on campus.

Last week was the time to take the next step! Mrs. Motal's students harvested the zucchini and some fresh herbs to bring into their classroom.

Once inside, Mrs. Motal fired up the electric skillet and demonstrated how to prepare a quick and nutritious snack - sauteed zucchini with onions, salt, pepper and herbs! 🥦🥕

Four-star reviews from everyone involved for both the yummy snack and the joy of learning through hands-on experiences!

Join Emily Armenta, a dedicated Joy School parent and the founding designer of Armenta Jewelry, in exploring the world of artisan craftsmanship and sustainable elegance.

Crafted with tradition and sustainability at heart, Armenta Jewelry is more than adornment—it's a story of empowerment and artistry.

Armenta is extending a special gesture to support our school community just in time for Mother's Day!

For every purchase made this month using the promo code JOYSCHOOL, 15% of the proceeds will be directly contributed to enriching the educational experience at our school.

Explore the exquisite pieces for yourself or surprise someone special with a gift that embodies beauty and gives back to our school at https://www.armentacollection.com and participate in a meaningful journey in craftsmanship and community support.

Our students absolutely crushed it at yesterday's first-ever talent show, showcasing everything from a two-minute Rubik's Cube solve to the amazing human pretzel!

House Rule #9: We Have Fun! 🎉

Thanks to our students chanting, "MOVE CLOUDS, MOVE!" Houston could view today's solar eclipse. You're welcome!

Seeing our students beam with pride as they shared their academic and creative endeavors with their families was nothing short of magical.

Thank you to all our amazing students, faculty, and families for making this year’s Student Showcase such a special event!

Take a deep dive into the difference between simply preparing a child for high school and giving them the skills they need to succeed independently in high school and beyond.

High School Readiness V. High School Independence…What’s the Difference? A deep dive into the difference between simply preparing a child for high school and giving them the skills they need to be independently successful in high school and beyond.

Tickets: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/pLZ2sA?vid=13wlhh #

The Joy School TJS prepares students with learning differences to return to traditional classroom settings.

SPOILER ALERT! Just like our students, the fairies showed bravery and resilience as they overcame challenges. 💪

Today, we were fortunate to have its award-winning author, Zane Carson Carruth, read 'Abella Starts a Tooth Fairy School' to some of our lower school students and shed some "tooth" on the power of determination!

At this year's Black History Month assembly, Joseph Dixon from the Young Audiences of Houston guided us through the captivating history and music of THE MARDI GRAS INDIANS.

Mardi Gras Indians are African American groups participating in a unique cultural tradition that originated in New Orleans in the late 19th century.

The tradition is believed to have evolved as a way for African Americans to pay homage to the Native American tribes who provided refuge and assistance to runaway slaves in Louisiana.

Mardi Gras Indians create elaborate costumes, often adorned with intricate beadwork, feathers, and other decorative elements, as a form of artistic expression and cultural pride.

What cultural heartbeat pulsates through the crowds during Mardi Gras, igniting spirits and inspiring movement?? THE MUSIC! Rhythmic chants, drumming, and call-and-response patterns reflect the influence of African and Native American musical traditions.

During Mardi Gras celebrations, Mardi Gras Indian tribes engage in these showdowns to showcase their elaborate costumes, intricate beadwork, and musical talents. These showdowns are friendly competitions where different tribes meet in the streets to display their artistry and craftsmanship and answer the burning question, "WHO IS THE PRETTIEST?"


Young Audiences of Houston

We address one of the most commonly asked questions we receive by illuminating our unique approach to nurturing academic success and independence.

What is the Best Curriculum for Students with Learning Differences? This blog post addresses one of the most commonly asked questions by illuminating our unique approach to nurturing academic success and independence.

Discover the transformative journey of The Joy School from its humble beginnings in a rented classroom to its most current campus expansion, offering hope and support for students with learning differences.

Changing Lives One Classroom at a Time

📷👀Discovering parallels between the human eye and photography: Today, middle school science students explored the shared mechanisms of capturing, processing, and interpreting visual information.

With expert guidance from our guest speaker from Reel Quick Film Lab, students explored analog photography by shooting a roll of b&w film with a vintage camera and developing it right in the classroom! 📷✨

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🎬In the world of glamorous events, such as today's All School Assembly, the pinnacle of the affair is achieved only when it incorporates Shout Outs, Self Reflection, Awards and a round of Rock Paper Scissors!

🏆Our Deans of Students took center stage to present The Keys Awards, based on our 12 Keys to Success™, to fifteen of our hardworking students. These awards are a true reflection of achievement because they commemorate the personal growth witnessed by classmates and teachers. Bravo!!

🌟 The excitement continued with an epic Rock Paper Scissors Battle led by our Middle Schoolers, where House points were at stake. Currently leading the race is Rosner House, with a dazzling 913 points, but the competition is fierce!

🌷Tomorrow, the spotlight will shift to the Spring Semester, where the stage is set for a script of more learning, growth, and of course, JOY.

Today, our students kicked off the first day back after Winter Break in style - Pajama Day, spreading comfort and JOY! 😴✨

It's all about easing into routine in a lighthearted and memorable way after the winter break. Check out these cozy looks!

The Joy of Lifelong Learning The Joy School is a community of lifelong learners, exemplified by over 20% of the staff holding advanced degrees or specialized certifications, an annual budget for staff to attend national professional development conferences, and a commitment to ongoing education for faculty and staff.

A melody of joy echoed through Houston's Museum District today as our fourth graders took their caroling to a daycare, high-rise condos, an auto repair shop, and the Post Oak School! Sharing the spirit of the season, one beautiful note at a time. 🎤🏡

Our latest blog post is an example of how a shift in priorities and financial sacrifices have yielded a tenfold return for the Jones family.

Worth the Investment Despite the financial stretch, Annie's parents now view The Joy School tuition as invaluable, emphasizing the life-changing impact on their daughter's academic success, confidence, and overall well-being.