The Hebrew Academy utilizes a creative “hands-on” dual curriculum designed to fully integrate General Studies and Judaic Studies. The Judaic Studies component emphasizes the fundamentals of Hebrew reading, Jewish history, holidays, Jewish values, Bible, the Jewish life cycle, the land of Israel and prayer. The General Studies Program includes the traditional independent school curriculum focusing on basic skills and the development of higher order thinking skills. Supportive pull-out programs for both remediation and advanced studies complement our rigorous “normal” tract across the curriculum.
The foundation of the General Studies curriculum lies in the New York State Standards. The Judaic Studies curriculum is unique to Hebrew Academy and has been recognized as ground breaking and innovative while holding to the traditions of the faith. A Values curriculum is interlaced in all classroom activities.
Early Childhood:
- The use of play to facilitate the involvement and interest of younger students.
- The integration of new concepts to all areas of study.
- The development of not one but two languages as youngsters are introduced to both English and Hebrew.
- Expanding the cognitive abilities to create an awareness of and shape early learning skills.
- Structured physical activities to develop small and large muscle coordination and understanding the relationship between body and mind.
- Using imaginative simulations for social maturing through positive interaction with peers.
- Academic readiness focused on building basic learning skills.
- Self-imaging experiences building upon successful, individualized activities.
- Introducing computers and expanding the learning forum to Audiovisual technology.
- A changing play area. One month a veterinarian's office, the next month a restaurant with professionals in each field visiting the class, allowing students to explore their community and act out different roles.
Elementary Grades:
- A fully integrated program that merges reading and writing with all curriculum areas, thereby providing constant reinforcement of skills acquired.
- Studies in math based on sequential skill building and comprehension of number concepts and relationships.
- Hands-on Science oriented towards goal accomplishments rather then textbook page turning.
- Social studies units where students grow to understand their community and the world they live in. Ecology and appreciation of natural resources and habitats are important components.
- Creative writing generating journals complemented with expository and research writing begins to lay the foundation of academic success using the written word.
- Computer literacy is focused on keyboarding and the use of the computer as a research and presentation tool using classroom based computers and computers in our state-of-the art computer facility.
- Coordinated physical education program designed to challenge each age level and promote friendly interaction among peers.
- Judaic studies employing original texts, innovative audiovisual resources, Hebrew language skills and Mitzvah experiences.
- Contemporary Hebrew language taught by a certified professional with focus on real-life situations.
- A special curricula of Rabbinic wisdom and mottos teaching character development.
Middle School:
- A fully integrated program that begins the transition from the nurturing environment of elementary school to the more independent learning environment of secondary education.
- Programs in mathematics geared to solidifying fundamental skills while allowing advanced students to progress to their limits.
- Hands-on science works towards a solid understanding of the scientific method in the physical and life sciences through experimental and project based learning.
- Social studies programs familiarizing the students with the world they live in historically, culturally and geographically.
- Creative writing generating journals, school newspapers, the yearbook, poetry, multidisciplinary research papers and the foundation of academic success in critical self-analysis.
- Computer literacy extends the use of computers as a partner in academic research, publication production, formal academic research papers and multimedia presentations.
- Coordinated physical education program designed to challenge each age level and promote friendly interaction among peers. Interscholastic sports encourage the establishment of teamwork and school pride.
- Judaic studies employing original texts, innovative audiovisual resources, Hebrew language skills and Mitzvah experiences.
- Contemporary Hebrew language taught by a certified professional with focus on real-life situations.
- A special curricula of Rabbinic wisdom and mottos teaching character development.
