School is a HUGE part of a child’s everyday life. It’s where they learn, socialize, grow, and even play – sometimes for more hours during the day than parents even get to see them at home! However, a school is so much more than a place to acquire information to set them up for success; it’s an environment that helps children truly learn who they are and where they stand in the world. At the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, or JDS, students, teachers, and staff celebrate common values and vibrant differences while embracing exciting challenges head-on. Whether you are Jewish or looking for a place that aligns with your family’s beliefs on caring for the world, JDS could be a fantastic option for your growing learner.
About Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle
15749 NE 4th Street • Bellevue, Washington 98008
JDS, is a close-knit community of lifelong learners from all different walks of life and backgrounds. Since 1980, they’ve been providing students with a dual education in Judaic studies and general studies, creating well-rounded humans who are ready to take on the adventure of high school by the time they leave JDS.
What really makes the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle experience unique from other educational institutions in the area is, in their words. “The J.” Judaism has always “embraced ongoing questioning, vigorous discussion, thoughtful self-awareness, and active problem-solving.” These core skills and values are what create the school’s environment of student-driven learning, creating inquiry-based learners who aren’t afraid to ask questions and challenge the way things are. Their multidisciplinary approach isn’t just a trend – it’s a tradition that is energizing, effective, and enjoyable.
A love of learning is a deeply rooted tradition in Judaism, so it only makes sense to encourage it early on in life! The Jewish community is also taught to share their learning and lives with people from all backgrounds, which is why every family, Jewish or otherwise, is invited to be a part of JDS. With a strong community of differing perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, everyone can learn how to be more understanding and empathetic and feel empowered to make a positive difference in the world.
Education Advantages Of Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle
There are several wonderful and unique advantages to sending your child to the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle. Here are just a few reasons as to why the education they offer is unlike any other in the Seattle area.
Jewish Learning
In addition to general studies and core subjects, students at JDS delve into the rich world of Jewish learning. Their Jewish Life and Learning program immerses students in the “multiple dimensions, practices, and possibilities of Judaism.” As a student body, everyone comes together to celebrate Jewish holidays, read and pray in Hebrew, analyze and debate Jewish texts, and connect with Jewish leaders. Whether a student is Jewish or not, they’ll develop a uniquely individual Jewish lens through which to view the world and reflect upon themselves. The 8th-grade class also takes an incredible trip to Israel each year to learn more about their beautiful homeland.
Teachers
Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle teachers and staff are a huge part of the magic of the school. Their passion for working with children and experience in the classroom inspires them to create multifaceted learning experiences that not only build skills but engage imaginations. They also commit to the Jewish philosophy of lifelong learning, modeling the hard work and joy to which discovery and personal growth can lead.
Faculty members love and approach every student as an individual learner and a human being. Your child will receive encouragement, close attention, and dedicated feedback from educators who are truly invested in their success and growth both as students and as human beings.
Multi-age classrooms
Another unique feature of JDS learning is its multi-age learning villages. In classrooms with mixed age groups, students can learn important leadership and team skills as they grow, serving in different roles as they age up from one program to the next. Educators take the time to tend to each student’s specific needs, talents, and interests, offering an approach to learning that suits every child’s individual needs rather than solely what they should be learning as determined by their age. Every child learns differently and at a different pace, and these multi-age learning Villages are a fabulous way to support everyone in their own way.
And don’t worry – there’s plenty of opportunity for group work and collaboration, too!
Walking The Path Of A Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle Upstander
There are also a few key things that set JDS apart socially. Here are a few that make the school such a rich environment for encouraging empathy and awareness in their students.
What Are Upstanders?
Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle is committed to encouraging each of its students to become courageous upstanders. Unfamiliar with the term? An upstander is someone who speaks up and steps up on behalf of the vulnerable, even when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or scary. Through collaborative projects, service opportunities, public speaking, and a very intentional social-emotional curriculum, students acquire the intellectual and interpersonal skills that all great leaders have. They’ll develop courage and empathy through an awareness of history and optimism for the future.
Being an upstander doesn’t just mean, well, standing up for others. It draws upon Jewish history and tradition to gain a deeper and broader understanding of the challenges that people in the community face. Upstanders celebrate successes and failures as opportunities to learn and grow. They are also encouraged to ask, explore, and respectfully debate complex questions about the world and themselves.
An Environmentally Minded School
Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle is also a Green School with a strong environmental commitment rooted in the Jewish principle of “repairing the world,” or Tikkun Olam. Sustainability and environmental awareness weave into the school’s curriculum. Always encouraging students to make eco-conscious choices and develop a deep interest in the environment.
The 5th grade Green Team focuses on initiating school-wide green projects and monitoring waste reduction and energy conservation throughout the year. Additionally, JDS holds a “Solutions in Science Expo” where students can participate in science projects based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Both You And Your Kids Will Love The Community Of Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle
The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle is an incredible school where students will learn about empathy, compassion, and courage as much as they will about core subjects like math and science. You can give your child the tools to navigate and understand the world with a little more awareness while also setting them up for a lifetime of success with a strong love of learning. Check out JDS as a strong community for your child – and your entire family!
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