The Jewish Day School

Children are born naturally curious. There is no set curriculum they follow to learn to walk, talk and interact with people around them. They learn by observing, being curious as to how things work, asking questions and trying out their hunches. They are natural scientists - a new research project at MIT and Stanford recently found 4 and 5-year-olds even play like scientists work. For this reason, we designed our kindergarten curriculum to extend and enhance their natural abilities.

JDS is proud to debut Science Kindergarten beginning in the fall of 2011. Our science-themed kindergarten program provides a richly integrated, child-centered, science-based curriculum which encourages curiosity and hands-on exploration as a way for children to learn about the world around them. In Kindergarten, science serves as a vehicle through which other subjects are taught and integrated with specific emphasis on the development of strong literacy, mathematics, critical-thinking and problem solving skills that will help ensure academic success as students grow.

Our comprehensive Kindergarten program provides students with daily 2nd language study, Judaics, music and art, library, physical education, social studies and much more.   Students learn individually and in groups – always in classrooms small enough to allow for individualized attention – a hallmark of our program.

Our innovative kindergarten curriculum builds upon fostering connections between content, values and actions. Science Kindergarten provides children with an engaging way to learn about caring for the earth (Tikkun Olam) and compassion for others. As a King County Green School, kindergarten students are involved in campus recycling and composting efforts, and work in the JDS garden. They participate in both classroom and campus-wide tzedakah and community service (Mitzvah Day) events. They also celebrate Shabbat and holidays together and have wonderful events and presentations for their families throughout the year.

We are excited to have an exceptionally strong Kindergarten teaching team for the 2011-12 school year as we launch Science Kindergarten. Seasoned faculty member Aileen Okrent has long taught elements of life and earth science in kindergarten and has recognized how enthusiastic students are when it comes to the hands-on learning that science provides. This year, she is excited about the new opportunities for students to be inspired to learn through the exploration of science including nature and the outdoors, animal life, plant growth, geology and more. Aileen’s teaching partner Paula Schwimmer brings extensive experience and skills from teaching preschool through first grade children. Kindergartners will have the benefit of learning from an experienced first grade teacher who has been long recognized for teaching excellence including particularly strong mathematics and reading instruction. She is a master teacher of our Wired for Reading program.

Note:  Know of someone interested in applying for Science Kindergarten? Contact our Admissions Office.  Email Admissions Director Amy Adler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 425.460.0260.