Academics

Kindergarten

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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.

A learning environment that promotes independence and fosters kindness. 

Kindergarten at Pardes is more than just a beginning- it’s a joyful launch into a lifelong love of learning. Our nurturing environment promotes independence and fosters kindness, offering young learners the opportunity to build the foundational skills they’ll need for both academic and personal success. Social and emotional development is a cornerstone of our programs and is approached with the same intentionality and structure as academic learning. Through thoughtfully designed lessons and guided interactions during recess and classroom activities, students actively build essential life skills- including empathy, problem-solving, self-awareness, active listening and collaboration- that lay the foundation for lifelong success.
We are happy to help you in deciding readiness for kindergarten. We also have a Transitional Kindergarten program for children needing more time to grow and develop before mastering the Kindergarten curriculum. 

Our Kindergartners Flourish Through:

List of 4 items.

  • Differentiated learning

    At Pardes, we believe every child learns differently—and that’s something to celebrate. All of our teachers are trained in differentiation strategies and take the time to truly understand each student’s academic level, learning style, and interests. This allows us to personalize instruction—whether that means providing extra support or offering enrichment—so that every child is challenged, supported, and inspired to thrive.

  • 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 engaging kindergarten playground to thoughtfully designed classrooms with flexible seating, every space at Pardes encourages exploration, movement, and collaboration. Beyond core classroom learning, kindergartners enjoy a diverse array of specials—including Makerspace, Library, PE, Art, Music, and Theater—that foster creativity, self-expression, and a love of learning across disciplines. The Pardes Makerspace offers an interdisciplinary environment where students tap into their creativity through hands-on activities such as programming KIBO robots and BeeBots, and tackling design challenges using Legos and recycled materials.

  • Living Jewish values from the start (Jewish community and values)

    At our school, Jewish life and learning are woven into each day—starting in kindergarten. Students participate in daily tefillah (prayer), explore Parshat Hashavua (the weekly Torah portion), and celebrate Shabbat each week with a joyful Lower School Kabbalat Shabbat. Throughout the year, children take part in meaningful holiday celebrations and hands-on Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects, helping them build a strong connection to Jewish tradition, values, and community.

What will my kindergartner be learning and doing?

At Pardes, we take a hands-on, multisensory approach to learning—your child will be actively engaged as they explore, discover, and make meaning of new ideas. From collaborative projects to creative play, every experience is designed to deepen understanding and spark curiosity.

Here’s a snapshot of what your child will be learning and doing throughout the year…

Why Our School?

List of 7 items.

  • Morning Meeting

    Starting the Day with Purpose:
    As part of our Responsive Classroom approach, Morning Meeting is a daily practice that builds a strong sense of community and sets a positive tone for learning. Each morning, students gather to share important moments from their lives, engage in a fun group activity, and reflect on a short message that frames the day’s focus. This intentional routine supports students’ academic success while nurturing their social and emotional growth.

  • Literacy

    Building Strong Reading and Writing Foundations:
     At Pardes, we use Amplify CKLA to help children develop essential reading and writing skills for long-term success. This program follows the Core Knowledge Sequence, a research-backed, content-rich approach that builds knowledge and skills in a clear, cumulative way based on the Science of Reading.

    From kindergarten through second grade, students progress from phonological and phonemic awareness to mastering the 150 spellings for the 44 sounds of English—taught through an intentional, step-by-step progression designed to ensure confidence and success.

    Students engage with a rich variety of texts, including complex read-alouds, decodable chapter books, trade books, and content-focused readers that reflect diverse experiences and connect directly to learning goals.

  • Hebrew & Jewish Studies

    Our kindergarten program introduces students to Hebrew through songs, games, art, and hands-on activities that develop listening and speaking skills. Children learn to recognize and write the letters of the aleph-bet and build basic vocabulary.

    Beyond language, students engage with Jewish life by exploring the Jewish calendar, celebrating chagim (holidays), learning brachot (blessings), and studying Parshat Bereshit (Genesis). These experiences foster a strong connection to Israel and Jewish tradition from an early age.

  • Science & Innovation

    We follow the NextGen Science Standards and combine hands-on experiments with technology to explore exciting topics like plants, animals, weather, and forces. Every student gets the chance to be “Scientist of the Week,” presenting a science experiment to the class. Students also enjoy weekly visits to the Makerspace, sparking creativity and innovation. Additionally, we enrich learning with engaging lessons from Mystery Science.

  • Math

    Math is more than memorizing formulas or quick calculations. Through Beast Academy Classroom, students build strong foundational skills using real-life examples. The curriculum focuses on deep conceptual understanding and problem-solving with interactive lessons and puzzles. Students learn by exploring, making mistakes, and ultimately succeeding through hands-on problem-solving of new and challenging problems.

  • Arts Education for Young Learners 

    Our students enjoy weekly classes in music, theater, and art that nurture creativity and confidence. They explore a rich variety of musical styles, movement, and public speaking skills, while diving into the fundamentals of art—line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space—through interactive, hands-on experiences.
    Kindergarten students shine on stage multiple times a year with joyful performances that celebrate both Judaic traditions and secular themes.

  • Physical Education & Recess

    Our kindergartners enjoy physical education classes twice a week, where they build foundational movement skills and have fun through active games. Each day also includes both a morning and lunch recess, giving children plenty of time to stretch, run, and play outside. In addition to our play structures, students have access to pickleball and basketball courts, as well as a spacious soccer field — providing a variety of options for energetic outdoor fun.

List of 1 items.

  • What makes kindergarten at Pardes unique?

    What makes kindergarten at Pardes unique?

    Find out in our kindergarten e-book.

Enriched Learning Experience at Pardes

At Pardes, our kindergarten program is designed to spark curiosity, build foundational skills, and instill a lifelong love of learning. Through a carefully curated curriculum and small class sizes, we create a warm, supportive environment where every child is known, challenged, and celebrated.

List of 3 items.

  • Building Confident Readers and Writers with Amplify CKLA

    We use Amplify CKLA to help young learners develop the essential reading and writing skills they need for long-term academic success. Grounded in the Core Knowledge Sequence and informed by the Science of Reading, this comprehensive program offers a clear, cumulative approach to literacy instruction.

  • Creative and Challenging Math with Beast Academy Classroom

    Our math curriculum features Beast Academy Classroom, a vibrant, story-based program that encourages deep thinking and joyful problem-solving. With dynamic characters, engaging puzzles, and visual storytelling, students explore math in a way that’s both rigorous and fun—helping them develop critical thinking skills from the very start.

  • Small Class Sizes, Big Opportunities

    With class sizes typically ranging from 13 to 15 students, Pardes provides a highly personalized learning experience. Our teachers are able to tailor instruction, foster meaningful relationships, and create a classroom culture where every child feels seen, supported, and excited to learn.

Responsive Classroom That Teach Life Skills

In our kindergarten classrooms, students begin developing essential life skills such as teamwork, collaboration, and taking turns through daily interactions with their peers. We use the Responsive Classroom approach to nurture key social and emotional competencies—including perseverance, learning strategies, self-control, cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, and perspective. These skills lay the foundation for success both in school and beyond.

A Safe Environment at Pardes

At Pardes, both physical and emotional safety are the foundation for building strong relationships, fostering trust, and encouraging self-confidence—key ingredients for effective learning. Our classrooms promote kindness and respect, with students actively mindful of one another and accountable for their behavior.

We ensure physical safety through carefully controlled campus access, comprehensive surveillance, and an officer on duty at all times.

Before School and Extended Care

Our kindergarten program runs five days a week, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For busy families needing care outside these hours, we offer before and after school options. Students can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. at no extra cost. After school, enrichment activities are available Monday through Friday through our Discovery Enrichment After School Program and Club J at the Jewish Community Center until 5:30 p.m.

Experience Pardes

Finding the right school for your kindergartner is a big decision. At Pardes Jewish Day School, we make sure your child learns the same positive values at school that you teach at home.

Why choose Pardes?
Families from the Phoenix metro area — and those relocating from across the country — trust us to provide a nurturing, values-driven education.

Get to know us:

Ready to learn more? Contact the admissions team at admissions@pardesschool.org or call 480-991-9141 ext 103.

Contact

Fax: 480-991-9405

About

Pardes Jewish Day School is a welcoming community Jewish day school committed to exceptional secular and Jewish education with a focus on academics and character development.
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