Kindergarten AT Pardes Jewish Day School

A time of inquiry, discovery, and joy.

Is your child approaching kindergarten age?

If so, you’re likely trying to figure out if and when they’re ready to start kindergarten — developmentally, socially, and academically — and what type of learning environment will best meet their needs.

At Pardes Jewish Day School, we recognize a child’s education prior to kindergarten looks different for each family. We partner with prospective parents at the beginning of our admissions process to determine a child’s kindergarten readiness. To help ease the transition into the kindergarten experience at Pardes, we provide opportunities for entering kindergartners and their families to spend time together on campus.

Our program offers an environment where innovative learning and Jewish values meet. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of what we offer, including:

Learning Environment
Program Details
Curriculum
Safety Features

We encourage you to schedule a personal tour so you can experience Pardes firsthand.

You’ll have the chance to learn more about our unique approach to K-8 education, visit a kindergarten classroom, and meet one-on-one with an admissions team member.

Schedule a Tour

A dynamic Jewish and secular kindergarten experience

At Pardes, we see kindergarten as a year of exciting transformation and growth. Our kindergarten teachers are dedicated to nurturing students in a way that builds confidence, fosters kindness, models respect, and promotes independence. Most importantly, Pardes is dedicated to building a culture of inquiry, discovery, and joy for our youngest learners.

What will my kindergartner be learning and doing?

We take a hands-on, multi-sensory approach to learning here at Pardes — your child will be actively engaged as they develop an understanding of content. Here’s a snapshot of what your child will be learning and doing …

WHY OUR SCHOOL?

Morning Meeting

As part of our Responsive Classroom model, Morning Meeting builds a strong sense of community and helps children to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Students have the opportunity to share information about important events in their lives, participate in a brief activity, and interact with a short message that creates a focus for the day.

Project Based Learning

We use Project Based learning across all grade levels at Pardes as it  helps students acquire deep content knowledge and develop success skills, such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Learn more about how we incorporate Project Based Learning into our kindergarten curriculum. 

Literacy

Children engage in a reading and writing workshop approach, creating a balanced literacy curriculum. It includes components such as phonics, shared reading, shared writing, interactive writing, read aloud with accountable talk, and small group work, in addition to mini lessons addressing foundational skills.

Hebrew & Jewish Studies

Songs, games, art, and hands-on activities help students begin to practice listening and speaking in Hebrew. As a kindergartner, your child will learn to recognize and write the letters of the aleph-bet and basic vocabulary. Kindergartners engage in Jewish life and studies — from learning about the Jewish calendar, celebrating the chagim (holidays), learning the brachot (blessings), and studying Parshat Bereshit (Genesis), to building a connection to Israel.

Science & Innovation

We follow NextGen Science Standards and utilize a blend of hands-on experiments and technology to explore topics such as plants, animals, weather, and force. Each student has the opportunity to be Scientist of the Week, demonstrating a science experiment to the class. Students also enjoy weekly visits to the Makerspace.

Math

Students use real-life examples to build foundational math skills. Hands-on, sensory experiences help develop computational skills and problem-solving strategies. Research has shown this type of experiential foundation results in more success in written and symbolic mathematics in later grades.

Performing & Fine Arts

Students participate in weekly musical theater and art classes. Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles, movement and public speaking, and explore various elements of art, such as line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space, through immersive experiences.

Physical Education & Recess


Kindergartners participate in physical education classes twice a week where they learn skills and enjoy playing games. A morning and lunch recess each day let kindergartners stretch, run, and play outdoors. In addition to the new play structures, they enjoy the basketball court and soccer field.

Pardes Kindergarten E-Book: Joy & Wonder

What makes kindergarten at Pardes unique?

Find out in our kindergarten e-book.

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A learning environment that promotes independence and fosters kindness. 

Kindergarten is an opportunity to introduce little learners to valuable skills they’ll need for success in school and life. Opportunities for social and emotional development — problem solving, empathy, self-awareness, listening, and taking turns — are woven into the school day, whether during recess or an activity led by our school counselor in the kindergarten classroom.

Our kindergartners flourish through:

Differentiated learning

All Pardes teachers are trained in differentiation methods. They take time to get to know each student — where they are academically and how they learn best — so they can accelerate or remediate lessons to meet each individual student’s needs.

A project-based approach

Project Based Learning helps students acquire deep content knowledge and develop important skills, such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Students learn by asking questions and trying out different solutions, an approach that will serve them throughout school, college, and careers.

A stimulating environment

From our new kindergarten playground to our newly redesigned classrooms with flexible seating, our spaces are designed for engagement and  learning. Pardes’ Makerspace is an interdisciplinary experience for students to tap into their creativity through activities such as programming KIBO robots and BeeBots, and participating in design challenges with Legos and recycled materials.

Jewish community and values

Jewish values, rituals, language, and culture are integrated throughout the school experience as early as kindergarten. In addition to their Hebrew and Jewish studies classes, kindergartners are engaged in Parshat Hashavuah (the weekly Torah portion), weekly Lower School Kabbalat Shabbat; special holiday celebrations; and Tikkun Olam projects.

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We were in awe at the innovative teaching and learning at Pardes during our first tour. The children we observed were confident, personable, and bright. We knew Pardes was the right choice. Our twins love going to school every day and have had the best kindergarten experience.

– Danielle and Benjamin Gross

Enriched Learning

Our kindergarten curriculum is a collection of carefully curated resources and activities that help guide little learners to an age-appropriate understanding of core subject concepts.

We use Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project as well as the Teachers College Units of Study in Phonics, to help grow avid and skilled readers, writers, and inquirers. Based on current research and best practices, we are shifting our math curriculum to integrate an open and creative mindset mathematics program from Stanford University.

Classes are typically 13-15 students to ensure differentiated instruction and a classroom atmosphere that promotes interaction and engagement.

Responsive Classrooms That Teach Life Skills

Learning alongside their peers allows kindergartners to start working on skills such as teamwork, collaboration, and taking turns. We utilize the Responsive Classroom model to help build social and emotional competencies needed for success both in and out of school, such as perseverance, learning strategies, self-control, cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, and perspective.

A Safe Environment

Both physical and emotional safety are essential to building relationships, learning to trust others,  establishing a sense of self-confidence, and focusing on learning. Classroom environments at Pardes promote kindness and respect — students play an active role in being mindful of others, and responsible and accountable for their behavior. We physically protect our students through restricted and carefully monitored access to campus, surveillance technology, and an officer on duty. Learn more about campus safety at Pardes.

Before School and Extended Care

Our kindergarten program is five days a week from 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. For busy families who need before and after school care on a regular or as-needed basis, afternoon activities are available through Club J at the Jewish Community Center and students can be dropped off in the mornings as early as 7:30 a.m. 

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Experience Pardes

We know how important it is to find the right school for your kindergartner; you want to be sure they’re learning the same positive lessons at school that you’re teaching at home. Schedule an in-person tour, phone call, or Zoom conversation and learn more about why so many families in the Phoenix metropolitan area choose Pardes Jewish Day School for their children.