"My husband is Jewish and I am not. When we married, I knew it was important to him to raise our children Jewish. I was raised as a Catholic and went to Catholic schools. I wanted my children to have a religious background so that they would understand their roots. Since I knew little about Judaism, it seemed that the only way to raise them Jewish would be to enroll them in a Jewish day school. At first I was concerned that my not being Jewish might be an issue. That has not been the case. I have now sent three children to Jewish day school, and I have a wonderful feeling about the school."
Mary Catherine Ring
Why a Jewish Day School At Jewish day schools students encounter outstanding general and Judaic studies curricula that help them develop into secure, well-rounded individuals. Day schools aim for the highest standards of excellence. They foster a love of learning, intellectual inquiry and critical thinking that challenges students and empowers them to seek knowledge with confidence and enthusiasm.
The day schools are founded on the belief that Jewish thoughts and teachings provide a framework upon which to build a sense of purpose and fulfillment in the academic environment. In an atmosphere imbued with the rich values of Jewish and American culture, the schools inspire children to understand, embrace, and take pride in the knowledge, faith and values of their own heritage, and to respect diverse cultures, lifestyles and beliefs as well.
Impact How have Jewish day schools succeeded in realizing their mission?
-
In the last 30 years, Jewish Day School enrollment has tripled in the United States, from about 70,000 to 200,000. About 40% of all Jewish students who are receiving a Jewish education, do so in day schools.
-
Jewish day school graduates go on to Ivy League schools at a rate higher than those from the competing private schools. Thirty per cent of Boston-area day school graduates attend Ivy League schools or other colleges ranked in the Top 10 by U.S. News & World Report and Top Tier by USA.com.
-
Studies of the Jewish community have successfully documented that children who graduate from Jewish day schools enter mainstream American universities, graduate schools and careers with great ease and success.
-
Among Greater Boston area day schools,
-
One is ranked 25th in the country for students’ acceptance rates at Harvard, Yale and Princeton by Worth Magazine.
-
One is ranked within the top twenty best independent high schools in the Greater Boston area by Boston Magazine.
-
The mean SAT score is equal or above those reported by many of the most prestigious Independent High Schools in the Greater Boston area.
-
Many Jewish day school students become National Merit Finalist and Semifinalists
-
One school fielded a mathematics team that became a medal winner in the International Math Olympiad, while the math team of another won first place in regional math contests and 9th in a state-wide contest.
-
Multiple day school teachers have been recipients of Presidential Awards for Excellence in the Teaching of Math and Science.
-
Day school graduates have won the national Young Musicians competition at Carnegie Hall.
-
Several Jewish day school sport teams compete in regional leagues.
-
The dual curriculum creates flexible, adaptable, knowledgeable learners; it stimulates and refines cognitive and creative skills, critical thinking and nimbleness in judgment, creativity, imagination and problem-solving.
-
Day schools offer children a full social life within a secure atmosphere.
-
Day school students graduate with a significant body of competency in Hebrew, Jewish texts, history, and philosophy. That knowledge, studies how, translates into a strong preservation of Jewish identity and commitment and a greater lifelong involvement in the Jewish community.
