Growth Years - 60's through 80's

As the years rolled along new theories and teaching techniques in the field of learning disabilities were emerging and the JB faculty traveled distances to study at Universities and to master the new teaching methods. Soon the enrollment increased to capacity as the curriculum gradually changed and broadened the scope of the learning environment. This necessitated the relocation of the primary level to the Notre Dame College campus.

Not long after that, expansion of JB school became, not only a dream, but a reality. Land was again cleared and a new gymnasium was built. In the late 70's three classrooms, a locker room, as well as a clinic and secretary's office were added on the first floor. The lower level of the building was renovated to accommodate the intermediate grade students.

Upon completion of the additional buildings and the renovation project, the primary classes moved back to the main campus to occupy the newly built classrooms in the now expanded Arter Estate. Later, the area around the new gymnasium was resurfaced for a larger school play area which eventually became a beautifully equiped playground because of gifts from The Ronald McDonald and Andrews Foundations.

Further changes -- 90's to the new Millennium

Over the past ten years, Julie Billiart School has kept pace with the Age of Technology; created a modified computer lab using available space on the 2nd floor. Here is where computer classes started and students have become more proficient in their use of computers and learned to follow an adapted computer curriculum. Through a variety of workshops and inservice sessions the teachers have become, not only more computer literate, but have acquired differing levels of mastery in computer skills and have used the internet effectively for integrating various subjects in the curriculum.

Keeping current with new techniques of reaching the needs of our special students has consistently been a focus in our school's unique educational setting. In 1997 the entire faculty studied at the University of North Carolina under the direction of Dr. Mel Levine and returned with new motivational adaptations for use in teaching the special needs children. Along the way, Julie Billiart School has adopted new strategies of instruction using the Wilson method of teaching reading and the Saxon method for math. In addition, ways to stimulate brain activity has been adopted by using Brain Gym skills.

Prior to and leading to the new Millennium, after-school enrichment activities have been made available. These have included, but have not been limited to, a six week course in learning Spanish, a variety of art programs, and the sports programs, such as, golf lessons, basketball, volleyball, etc.

Other special school programs have enriched the lives of our JB students, such as Career Day, Grandparents Day, visits to our senior friends at The Greens of Lyndhurst, all-school field trips to the Geauga County Fair, and the Akron Aeros baseball game, as well as, all-school family bowling days.

-continue-