Jewish preschool-8 education for all who seek it

At JDS, we find the greatest joy in the most difficult challenges. We persistently advocate for others and ourselves. We affirm and celebrate our common values as well as our vibrant differences.
And we offer our pluralistic Jewish education to all families who share our learning philosophy.
Might JDS be right for your child?...

Inquiry-Based Learning

For millennia, Judaism has embraced ongoing questioning, vigorous discussion, thoughtful self-awareness, and active problem-solving. That’s why, at JDS, hands-on, student-driven learning is more than a trend—it’s a tradition. We’re committed to this energizing, multidisciplinary approach, and not just because it’s effective and enjoyable. We are—and will always be—inquiry-based learners at heart.

Would your child thrive in this invigorating environment?… Schedule a visit.

JDS Circle of Inquiry

Jewish Life and Learning

The JDS Jewish Studies program, Jewish Life and Learning, immerses students in the multiple dimensions, practices, and possibilities of Judaism. Students of every background celebrate Jewish holidays, read and pray in Hebrew, meet Jewish thinkers and leaders, analyze and debate Jewish texts, develop personal connections to Israel, and travel to Israel in 8th grade. 

Your child, whether they are Jewish or not, graduates with a richly informed yet completely individual Jewish lens through which to view the world and themselves. They head into high school as a confident and effective upstander, eager and able to repair the world.

Sound intriguing?…  Apply here.

Multi-age Learning

Individual attention and student collaboration are key elements of our inquiry-based program, and our multi-age learning Villages intentionally nurture those dynamics. Every day, we witness the proven benefits—and the pure joy—of this approach.

Jewish Day School - Children in the classroom

In the multi-age classroom, younger students learn from and emulate older peers, while students in higher grades practice leadership by mentoring younger classmates.

With a wide range of materials, projects, and experiences available in every classroom, teachers can group and regroup students according to interests or progress level and provide guidance for independent study.

We know each student learns and grows in different ways at different times. In our small, multi-age classrooms, our expert teachers can observe and adapt to your child’s specific academic, social, and emotional growth on a daily basis—so your child is always appropriately challenged and actively engaged.

For a clear overview of our methodology, see What are the Benefits of Mixed-age Classrooms?” by Charles Bernstein, Ph.D. 

Our Teachers

JDS teachers make every day at our school a wonder. Inspired and energized by children’s curiosity, they create multifaceted learning experiences that build students’ skills and engage their imaginations. Experts in their fields, they also know that the best teachers never stop learning themselves, modeling the hard work and profound joy that serious inquiry entails.

But JDS faculty members don’t just know and love their subjects. They know and love every student as an individual learner and human being. That means your child experiences the close attention and unflagging encouragement that only the most dedicated educators can provide.

Could your child learn and grow with us?… Meet all our faculty and staff.

Our Teachers

JDS teachers make every day at our school a wonder. Inspired and energized by children’s curiosity, they create multifaceted learning experiences that build students’ skills and engage their imaginations. Experts in their fields, they also know that the best teachers never stop learning themselves, modeling the hard work and profound joy that serious inquiry entails.

But JDS faculty members don’t just know and love their subjects. They know and love every student as an individual learner and human being. That means your child experiences the close attention and unflagging encouragement that only the most dedicated educators can provide.

Nance Adler

Nance Adler

MS Jewish Studies Teacher

“JDS students are deep thinkers, independent but yet collaborative, confidently themselves, empathetic and engaged.  They work hard and have fun. They question – the material, each other, the teacher, the tradition – and they listen to the answers while demanding clarity and evidence.”
Jewish Day School - Staff and Faculty

Dr. Ryan Allen

MS Humanities Teacher

“The most thrilling part of teaching at JDS is awakening intellectual passions that students didn’t know they had—but will carry with them for the rest of their lives. This dynamic and supportive learning environment uniquely enables me to reach each student directly, find and feed the fires of their interests, inspire them to ask searching questions, and equip them to discern deeper meanings. “
Jewish Day School - Staff and Faculty

Anne Stowe

Green Village Leader (Kindergarten)

“Our students are curious about the world around them and truly love the discovery process. They are accountable to their learning while being assertive and empathetic with their peers.”
Jewish Day School - Staff and Faculty

Jeromy Slaby

Science Teacher

“To teach and learn at JDS is like building an arbor. It requires collaboration and planning, challenging oneself and others to grow, and relishing in the shade of the final structure with your community.”
Jewish Day School - Staff and Faculty

Cyndi McClave

Art Teacher

“JDS is about community, compassion, kindness, and allowing each student to be seen, understood, and supported to reach their full potential. The JDS community looks out for each other and supports all students in finding excitement and joy in learning. Teachers are constantly collaborating across subjects allowing students to make multiple connections to their leaning.”
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Early Childhood Education at JDS

Now offering year-round programming!