diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8f94667f9d2..15ba559e4a5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ Project Structure
 | **controllers**/home.js            | Controller for home page (index).                           |
 | **controllers**/user.js            | Controller for user account management.                     |
 | **controllers**/challenges.js      | Controller for rendering the challenges.                    |
-| **models**/User.js                 | Mongoose schema and model for User.                         |
-| **models**/Challenge.js            | Mongoose schema and model for Challenge.                    |
+| **models**/user.json                 | Mongoose schema and model for User.                         |
+| **models**/challenge.json            | Mongoose schema and model for Challenge.                    |
 | **public**/                        | Static assets (fonts, css, js, img).                        |
 | **public**/**js**/application.js   | Specify client-side JavaScript dependencies.                |
 | **public**/**js**/main_0.0.2.js          | Place your client-side JavaScript here.                     |
diff --git a/common/models/Challenge.js b/common/models/Challenge.js
deleted file mode 100644
index ae0863b6cd9..00000000000
--- a/common/models/Challenge.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-/**
- *
- * @type {exports.Schema}
- */
-
-var challengeSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  name: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: true
-  },
-  difficulty: String,
-  description: Array,
-  tests: Array,
-  challengeSeed: Array,
-  // 0 = html, 1 = javascript only, 2 = video, 3 = zipline, 4 = basejump
-  challengeType: Number,
-  MDNlinks: Array,
-  nameCn: String,
-  descriptionCn: Array,
-  nameFr: String,
-  descriptionFr: Array,
-  nameRu: String,
-  descriptionRu: Array,
-  nameEs: String,
-  descriptionEs: Array,
-  namePt: String,
-  descriptionPt: Array
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('Challenge', challengeSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/Comment.js b/common/models/Comment.js
deleted file mode 100644
index f3423b2cfb5..00000000000
--- a/common/models/Comment.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-var commentSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-    associatedPost: {
-        type: String,
-        required: true
-    },
-    originalStoryLink: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    originalStoryAuthorEmail: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    body: {
-        type: String,
-        default: ''
-    },
-    rank: {
-        type: Number,
-        default: -Infinity
-    },
-    upvotes: {
-        type: Array,
-        default: []
-    },
-    author: {},
-    comments: {
-        type: Array,
-        default: []
-    },
-    commentOn: {
-        type: Number,
-        default: Date.now()
-    }
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('Comment', commentSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/Courseware.js b/common/models/Courseware.js
deleted file mode 100644
index f6efdacbaf5..00000000000
--- a/common/models/Courseware.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-/**
- *
- * @type {exports.Schema}
- */
-
-var coursewareSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  name: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: true
-  },
-  difficulty: String,
-  description: Array,
-  tests: Array,
-  challengeSeed: Array,
-  // 0 = html, 1 = javascript only, 2 = video, 3 = zipline, 4 = basejump
-  challengeType: Number
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('Courseware', coursewareSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/FieldGuide.js b/common/models/FieldGuide.js
deleted file mode 100644
index ea1ad63e9c8..00000000000
--- a/common/models/FieldGuide.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-var fieldGuideSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  name: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: false
-  },
-  dashedName: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: false
-  },
-  description: {
-    type: Array,
-    unique: false
-  }
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('FieldGuide', fieldGuideSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/Job.js b/common/models/Job.js
deleted file mode 100644
index a6b0d7fb049..00000000000
--- a/common/models/Job.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-/**
- *
- * @type {exports.Schema}
- */
-
-var jobSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  position: String,
-  company: String,
-  logoUrl: String,
-  postingUrl: String,
-  copy: Array
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('Job', jobSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/Nonprofit.js b/common/models/Nonprofit.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 12e350a6d46..00000000000
--- a/common/models/Nonprofit.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-/**
- *
- * @type {exports.Schema}
- */
-
-var nonprofitSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  name: String,
-  requestedDeliverables: Array,
-  whatDoesNonprofitDo: String,
-  websiteLink: String,
-  stakeholderName: String,
-  stakeholderEmail: String,
-  endUser: String,
-  approvedDeliverables: Array,
-  projectDescription: String,
-  logoUrl: String,
-  imageUrl: String,
-  estimatedHours: 0,
-  interestedCampers: [],
-  confirmedCampers: [],
-  // "confirmed", "started", "completed", "aborted"
-  currentStatus: String
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('Nonprofit', nonprofitSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/Story.js b/common/models/Story.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 1c9e5128488..00000000000
--- a/common/models/Story.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-
-var storySchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  headline: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: false
-  },
-  timePosted: {
-    type: Number,
-    default: 0
-  },
-  link: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: false
-  },
-  metaDescription: {
-    type: String,
-    default: '',
-    unique: false
-  },
-  description: {
-    type: String,
-    unique: false
-  },
-  originalStoryAuthorEmail: {
-    type: String,
-    default: ''
-  },
-  rank: {
-    type: Number,
-    default: -Infinity
-  },
-  upVotes: {
-    type: Array,
-    default: []
-  },
-  author: {},
-  comments: {
-    type: Array,
-    default: []
-  },
-  image: {
-    type: String,
-    default: ''
-  },
-  storyLink: {
-    type: String,
-    default: ''
-  }
-});
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('Story', storySchema);
diff --git a/common/models/User.js b/common/models/User.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 6ff0b8b5464..00000000000
--- a/common/models/User.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,204 +0,0 @@
-var bcrypt = require('bcrypt-nodejs');
-var mongoose = require('mongoose');
-require('mongoose-long')(mongoose);
-
-var Long = mongoose.Types.Long;
-var userSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
-  email: {
-    type: String,
-    lowercase: true,
-    trim: true,
-    sparse: true
-  },
-  password: String,
-  facebook: String,
-  twitter: String,
-  google: String,
-  github: String,
-  linkedin: String,
-  tokens: Array,
-  progressTimestamps: {
-    type: Array,
-    default: []
-  },
-  profile: {
-    username: {
-      type: String,
-      sparse: true,
-      lowercase: true,
-      trim: true
-    },
-    bio: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    name: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    gender: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    location: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    picture: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    linkedinProfile: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    githubProfile: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    codepenProfile: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    twitterHandle: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    facebookProfile: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    }
-  },
-  portfolio: {
-    website1Link: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website1Title: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website1Image: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website2Link: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website2Title: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website2Image: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website3Link: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website3Title: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    },
-    website3Image: {
-      type: String,
-      default: ''
-    }
-  },
-  resetPasswordToken: String,
-  sentSlackInvite: false,
-  resetPasswordExpires: Date,
-  uncompletedBonfires: Array,
-  completedBonfires: [{
-    _id: String,
-    name: String,
-    completedWith: String,
-    completedDate: Long,
-    solution: String
-  }],
-  uncompletedCoursewares: Array,
-  completedCoursewares: [{
-    completedDate: {
-      type: Long,
-      default: Date.now()
-    },
-    _id: String,
-    name: String,
-    completedWith: String,
-    solution: String,
-    githubLink: String,
-    verified: Boolean
-  }],
-  completedFieldGuides: [],
-  uncompletedFieldGuides: [],
-  currentStreak: {
-    type: Number,
-    default: 0
-  },
-  longestStreak: {
-    type: Number,
-    default: 0
-  },
-  needsSomeDataModeled: { type: Boolean, default: false},
-
-  // needsMigration has been deprecated, use needsSomeDataModeled
-  needsMigration: {
-    type: Boolean,
-    default: true
-  },
-  sendMonthlyEmail: {
-    type: Boolean,
-    default: true
-  },
-  challengesHash: {},
-  currentChallenge: {},
-  completedChallenges: [{
-    completedDate: Long,
-    _id: String,
-    name: String,
-    completedWith: String,
-    solution: String,
-    githubLink: String,
-    verified: Boolean,
-    challengeType: {
-      type: Number,
-      default: 0
-    }
-  }],
-  uncompletedChallenges: Array
-});
-
-/**
- * Password hashing Mongoose middleware.
- */
-
-userSchema.pre('save', function(next) {
-  var user = this;
-
-  if (!user.isModified('password')) { return next(); }
-
-  bcrypt.genSalt(5, function(err, salt) {
-    if (err) { return next(err); }
-
-    bcrypt.hash(user.password, salt, null, function(err, hash) {
-      if (err) { return next(err); }
-      user.password = hash;
-      next();
-    });
-  });
-});
-
-/**
- * Helper method for validationg user's password.
- */
-
-userSchema.methods.comparePassword = function(candidatePassword, cb) {
-  bcrypt.compare(candidatePassword, this.password, function(err, isMatch) {
-    if (err) { return cb(err); }
-    cb(null, isMatch);
-  });
-};
-
-module.exports = mongoose.model('User', userSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/challenge.json b/common/models/challenge.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7a55364a024
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/challenge.json
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+{
+  "name": "challenge",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "name": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": true
+    },
+    "difficulty": "string",
+    "description": "array",
+    "tests": "array",
+    "challengeSeed": "array",
+    "challengeType": "string",
+    "MDNlinks": "array",
+    "nameCn": "string",
+    "descriptionCn": "array",
+    "nameFr": "string",
+    "descriptionFr": "array",
+    "nameRu": "string",
+    "descriptionRu": "array",
+    "nameEs": "string",
+    "descriptionEs": "array",
+    "namePt": "string",
+    "descriptionPt": "array"
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/common/models/comment.json b/common/models/comment.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a0e5803fc38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/comment.json
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+{
+  "name": "comment",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "associatedPost": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "required": true
+    },
+    "originalStoryLink": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": ""
+    },
+    "originalStoryAuthorEmail": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": ""
+    },
+    "body": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": ""
+    },
+    "rank": {
+      "type": "number",
+      "default": "-Infinity"
+    },
+    "upvotes": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "default": []
+    },
+    "author": {},
+    "comments": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "default": []
+    },
+    "commentOn": {
+      "type": "number",
+      "defaultFn": "now"
+    }
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}
diff --git a/common/models/field-guide.json b/common/models/field-guide.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2a35b987d84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/field-guide.json
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+{
+  "name": "fieldGuide",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "name": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": true
+    },
+    "dashedName": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": false
+    },
+    "description": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "unique": false
+    }
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}
diff --git a/common/models/job.json b/common/models/job.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2932fdd8729
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/job.json
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "name": "job",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "position": "string",
+    "company": "string",
+    "logoUrl": "string",
+    "postingUrl": "string",
+    "copy": "array"
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}
diff --git a/common/models/nonprofit.json b/common/models/nonprofit.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..cea2faeb88e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/nonprofit.json
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "name": "nonprofit",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "name": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": true
+    },
+    "requestedDeliverables": "array",
+    "whatDoesNonprofitDo": "string",
+    "websiteLink": "string",
+    "stakeholderName": "string",
+    "stakeholderEmail": "string",
+    "endUser": "string",
+    "approvedDeliverables": "array",
+    "projectDescription": "string",
+    "logoUrl": "string",
+    "imageUrl": "string",
+    "estimatedHours": 0,
+    "interestedCampers": [],
+    "confirmedCampers": [],
+    "currentStatus": "string"
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}
+
+
+});
+
+module.exports = mongoose.model('Nonprofit', nonprofitSchema);
diff --git a/common/models/story.json b/common/models/story.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1d28fea97a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/story.json
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+{
+  "name": "bonfire",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "name": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": true
+    },
+    "headline": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": false
+    },
+    "timePosted": {
+      "type": "number",
+      "default": 0
+    },
+    "link": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": false
+    },
+    "metaDescription": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": "",
+      "unique": false
+    },
+    "description": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "unique": false
+    },
+    "originalStoryAuthorEmail": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": ""
+    },
+    "rank": {
+      "type": "number",
+      "default": "-Infinity"
+    },
+    "upVotes": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "default": []
+    },
+    "author": {},
+    "comments": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "default": []
+    },
+    "image": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": ""
+    },
+    "storyLink": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "default": ""
+    }
+    "difficulty": "string",
+    "description": "array",
+    "tests": "array",
+    "challengeSeed": "array",
+    "MDNlinks": {
+      "type": "array"
+    }
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}
diff --git a/common/models/user.json b/common/models/user.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5bdab4a1b6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/models/user.json
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+{
+  "name": "bonfire",
+  "base": "PersistedModel",
+  "trackChanges": false,
+  "idInjection": true,
+  "properties": {
+    "email": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "lowercase": true,
+      "trim": true,
+      "sparse": true
+    },
+    "password": "string",
+    "facebook": "string",
+    "twitter": "string",
+    "google": "string",
+    "github": "string",
+    "linkedin": "string",
+    "tokens": "array",
+    "progressTimestamps": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "default": []
+    },
+    "profile": {
+      "username": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "sparse": true,
+        "lowercase": true,
+        "trim": true
+      },
+      "bio": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "name": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "gender": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "location": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "picture": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "linkedinProfile": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "githubProfile": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "codepenProfile": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "twitterHandle": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "facebookProfile": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      }
+    },
+    "portfolio": {
+      "website1Link": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website1Title": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website1Image": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website2Link": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website2Title": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website2Image": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website3Link": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website3Title": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      },
+      "website3Image": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "default": ""
+      }
+    },
+    "resetPasswordToken": "string",
+    "sentSlackInvite": false,
+    "resetPasswordExpires": "string",
+    "uncompletedBonfires": "array",
+    "completedBonfires": [{
+      "_id": "string",
+      "name": "string",
+      "completedWith": "string",
+      "completedDate": "string",
+      "solution": "string"
+    }],
+    "uncompletedCoursewares": "array",
+    "completedCoursewares": [{
+      "completedDate": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "defaultFn": "now"
+      },
+      "_id": "string",
+      "name": "string",
+      "completedWith": "string",
+      "solution": "string",
+      "githubLink": "string",
+      "verified": "boolean"
+    }],
+    "completedFieldGuides": [],
+    "uncompletedFieldGuides": [],
+    "currentStreak": {
+      "type": "number",
+      "default": 0
+    },
+    "longestStreak": {
+      "type": "number",
+      "default": 0
+    },
+    "needsSomeDataModeled": { "type": "boolean", "default": false},
+
+    "needsMigration": {
+      "type": "boolean",
+      "default": true
+    },
+    "sendMonthlyEmail": {
+      "type": "boolean",
+      "default": true
+    },
+    "challengesHash": {},
+    "currentChallenge": {},
+    "completedChallenges": [{
+      "completedDate": "number",
+      "_id": "string",
+      "name": "string",
+      "completedWith": "string",
+      "solution": "string",
+      "githubLink": "string",
+      "verified": "boolean",
+      "challengeType": {
+        "type": "number",
+        "default": 0
+      }
+    }],
+    "uncompletedChallenges": "array"
+  },
+  "validations": [],
+  "relations": {},
+  "acls": [],
+  "methods": []
+}