PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Community School is undergoing many changes for the coming school year: A change in leadership, the sale of the historic Good Templar’s Hall which now houses the school at the corner of Washington and Quincy, and a major change in curriculum.
The independent secondary school has appointed Craig Frick head of school, replacing Rita Hemsley, Ph.D., who is retiring at the end of this school year. Hemsley has been in the position since July 2013.
Frick is currently assistant head of school and teaches U.S. history, economics and public policy. He has led several international expeditions for up to 35 students to countries including Vietnam, Cuba and Costa Rica. He currently is in British Columbia with students on a wilderness training experience.
Frick was raised in Sequim where he lives with his wife, Celene. He is fluent in Norwegian, having worked in various business and managerial positions there for 12 years. He returned to Sequim in 2012, taught school and coached football before joining Jefferson Community School in 2014.
“I’m excited for the future and the possibilities at Jefferson Community School,” Frick said. “As a teacher, I embrace the idea of student-centered instruction and have been excited to watch student after student take responsibility for their own learning and mature into leaders both in and out of the classroom.
“It will be my goal as head of school to continue this ideal and build upon the strength of programming that sets JCS and its students apart, offering a real choice in quality education in the community,” Frick said.
“We are lucky to have someone so well qualified and so familiar with our program to step in as our new head of school,” said board President Nat Jacob.
Founded in 2004, Jefferson Community School (JCS) is focused on individualized learning with an experiential and expeditionary learning program. Four seniors will graduate June 8, and all have been accepted to universities.
According to Jacob, the school experienced a significant decline in enrollment this year. He said it is revising its curriculum to account for the lower numbers while reaching out to serve other students in area communities.
JCS has established bus service to Sequim to expand its reach. It has partnered with the online curriculum eCampus. Students will have access to more than 120 accredited high school level courses while receiving the benefit of the structure, support and guidance of a JCS classroom and teacher, school officials said.
JCS also has expanded its financial aid program to provide assistance to 20 percent of current students and continues to look for new financial avenues for exceptional low- and middle-income students, officials said.
The school also has been approved through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and contact has been made with several Asian countries.
JCS’s yellow schoolhouse on Quincy is for sale. listed at $1.2 million.
”It simply is too big for the number of students we expect for the next few years,” Jacob said. “The equity we have built up in the building will help finance the school’s future.”
Realtor Michelle Sandoval of Windermere Real Estate said the building is on the market and has had some interest. She said once school is out in June, there will be an open house and a sign will be installed out front.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
