Preschool - 8th Grade

At JDS, we empower children to become capable, wise, and compassionate upstanders through innovative academics and a rich, pluralistic Jewish education. Our nurturing community creates an inclusive environment where every student can meet their full potential. Our inquiry-based curriculum inspires meaningful action and prepares students for a purposeful life. Join us in fostering a vibrant community that celebrates tradition, embraces diversity, and pursues justice for a better tomorrow.

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.

We chose JDS for its incredible STEM program. Plus, they debate big topics and world views, and the school knows how to support and challenge both my children.

I’m constantly amazed by our students’ ability to not only work independently, but to think for themselves and initiate inquiry. It’s very special when the students are generating questions and I don’t have to build their desire for learning. By the time they’re in middle school, JDS students are self-directed in quite an impressive way.

If we have a second grader who is working at a seventh- or eighth-grade level in literacy and math, that student can spend different academic periods with a higher grade level. That’s because our class sizes are small, and we have so much flexibility in how we work with individual learners

JDS Circle of Inquiry

More about inquiry-based learning

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.

A family-like environment that brings out the best in all students

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

More opportunities for group and individual learning

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.

Extensive one-on-one attention

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.

What the research says

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

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.”

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. “

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.”

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.”

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.”

Kids go from preschool all the way through eighth grade here, and they come out very confident and self-assured with strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They’re not afraid to ask difficult questions and make difficult choices, and they have a strong sense of their identity and how it relates to their Jewish education.

JDS cares about the kids, not just the education. They really want to make good people.

At JDS, any student can be any kind of Jewish person, or even not-Jewish person, that they choose to be. But they’re going to approach those questions thoughtfully, with an understanding of what’s at stake.