The Friends of J.S. Jenks (FOJSJ) is a 501c3, independent fundraising organization consisting of parents, teachers, administrators and community members dedicated to supporting programmatic and infrastructure development at the John Story Jenks Academy for the Arts & Sciences in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.

Mission

The mission of our organization is to enhance the educational and enrichment opportunities for students at Jenks by bringing together the financial and creative resources of educators, parents, students, alumni, and the greater community; ensure long-range financial flexibility for Jenks, allowing the school to develop innovative programs, student support systems, and infrastructure; and forge new partnerships between the school and the cultural, business, and academic institutions in Chestnut Hill. The Friends of Jenks aims to reinforce the school’s position as a community institution that contributes to the vibrancy of the neighborhood.

The mission of the Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences is to ensure that every student is inspired and prepared to be a passionate, lifelong learner. We believe that a STEAM-fueled (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) rigorous curriculum celebrates the joy of inquiry and raises analytical thinking. Coupled with strong community partnerships and supportive and encouraging learning community, Arts and Sciences education will nurture children, who will become productive, invested participants in a local and global community. 

Vision

  • To engage students where their strengths and talents lie so that they may experience success and build confidence to take on new challenges.

  • To remove the walls and bells from the learning by offering experiences outside the classroom and school day to develop the habit of seeing learning opportunity everywhere

  • To encourage students to seek to learn out of passion not requirement. They will be self-driven to discover, have a hunger to explore, and a confidence to take risks.

Name

The school is named for John Story Jenks, born on Oct. 29, 1839, the son of William Pearson Jenks and Elizabeth Story Jenks. John Story entered his father’s firm Randolph & Jenks, Cotton Merchants, after graduating from Central High School in 1856, and he quickly became a partner. In the late 19th century, John S. Jenks became a prosperous, civic-minded businessman who served on the boards of several banks, insurance companies, and the Pennsylvania Hospital.

A memorial notice in the Bulletin of the Pennsylvania Museum concluded with the following encomium: “And above all there was in him a kindness of word and deed that won the everlasting regard of those whose privilege it was to work with him and the respect of all who knew him.”

Membership

Membership in the Friends of J.S. Jenks is open to all with an interest in supporting J.S. Jenks. If you are a parent or a guardian of a child at the J.S. Jenks school, or a teacher, staff or administrator at the school, you are automatically a member of the Friends of J.S. Jenks.

Membership is also open to parents considering enrolling at the school in the future. Non-voting membership is extended to interested community members and organizations. There are no membership dues. Members can participate in elections for the incoming board simply by attending the organization’s annual meeting.

Our board includes Jenks parents, teachers and administrators, as well as civic and business leaders, and other community members interested in enhancing Chestnut Hill’s public school.

Fundraising and Programmatic Goals

The Friends of J.S. Jenks is currently targeting five programmatic initiatives:

  • Investing in the Arts

  • Enhancing Information Technology

  • Supporting Healthy Lifestyles

  • Greening Jenks

  • Strengthening the Sciences (in line with the school’s STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] initiative)

More information about these initiatives, and our progress, can be found on our website.

Are donations to the FOJSJ tax-deductible?

Yes. The Friends of J.S. Jenks is a federally recognized 501c3 organization, therefore donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.