School Philosophy

Hebrew Day Institute provides students with an outstanding integrated General and Judaic/Hebrew studies program that offers an academically enriching curriculum in a warm, encouraging, and supportive environment. We challenge our students to develop as individuals, and as proud Jews and responsible citizens.

Hebrew Day Institute focuses on each child as an individual. Each student will be challenged to aspire to the heights of his/her own academic capabilities, and will be encouraged along the paths of artistic, physical, spiritual and social development and expression. Learning is viewed as a constantly unfolding process, to be continued throughout one’s lifetime.

Hebrew Day Institute is mindful of the importance of community. Cooperative learning, collaboration with peers and community-building are cornerstones of our approach to education. Multi-age groupings allow for each child to progress at his/her own pace and to enjoy the pride of individual achievement accordingly. Center-based classes create a balance between freedom and structure, enabling children to engage the teacher, and each other, in fluid dialogue and interactive learning.

Learning as a shared experience is at the heart of our school's philosophy and practice.
Each child's first experience in our community starts with our weekly Kabbalat Shabbat program where children learn, sing, and dance together. This activity starts the process which builds self confidence and poise. Our annual school wide play, in which every student has a role, allows on going growth in public performance and speaking which culminates with their graduation experience. Additional opportunities to share their learning is provided through our grade level milestone programs, Science and Torah Fair, and secular and Judaic holiday programming in which all students participate.

Ultimately, Hebrew Day Institute seeks to promote curious and independent learners; critical thinkers, who can ask questions, solve problems, reason thoughtfully, write well, appreciate beauty, develop passions, interact with others, and be productive within the broader community.

We believe ...

...that every child should be given an opportunity to learn at a developmentally appropriate level
...that education is the shared responsibility of the student, home, school and community
...that every child should understand and practice the lifelong guidelines of truth, trust, personal best, active listening and no put-downs
...that every child should be provided with an enriched and integrated core of knowledge.
...that mistakes are educational opportunities and can be springboards to a greater understanding.
...that students, not teachers, should be the center of the classroom. Our teachers are facilitators, mentors and guides that nurture and inspire the human potential.
...that arts are critical to a child's development and we will incorporate visual arts, music and drama into our program.
...that every child should experience the joy of learning.