Who We Are
Jowonio School started as one classroom in an old synagogue building on S. Crouse Street run by Peter Knoblock along with a handful of teachers, doctoral students, and volunteers. Inclusive education was considered to be an unconventional, even radical, social experiment. In 1980, Jowonio moved to Bassett Street and expanded to include six classrooms. In the present day, Jowonio has 11 classrooms made up of 156 students and 98 staff. Inclusive education for preschool and beyond is a reality for millions of children in the United States. Jowonio staff also support children with disabilities in other early childhood centers, collaborate with colleges and universities to provide teacher training, and advocate broadly for inclusion practices. The school was founded in 1969 and since then has gained national recognition for quality inclusion practices. The school's reputation draws students from four counties and has led to families moving to Syracuse from across the country so that their children can attend Jowonio.
What We Do
The mission of Jowonio School is to provide model inclusive preschool education for children ages 2-5 from diverse backgrounds, with diverse needs. Of the 150-170 students enrolled annually, one third have special needs and one third are from low-income households.
