Whether working on literacy in kindergarten or grasping technical engineering concepts in middle school, children need and crave a balance of structured (and fun!) learning inside and outside the classroom.
At Pardes Jewish Day School, we have intentionally designed an environment that is both nurturing and challenging, giving students the freedom to explore their interests as they learn and grow from their successes and mistakes. Our student life on campus instills purposeful Jewish values and traditions students will keep with them as they prepare for high school, college, and careers.
To learn more about Pardes and our innovative approach to K-8 education,
At Pardes, student life looks like …
Embracing Judaism
We’re about so much more than academics. Jewish life is central to the Pardes student experience. Whether it’s enjoying the Festival of Lights celebration during Chanukah, helping the greater community through our school-wide Mitzvah Days, celebrating the chagim (holidays) as a Pardes community, or enjoying our delicious kosher lunch program on campus, our students connect to their heritage, values, and traditions. We celebrate our diverse community and respect each family’s level of observance.
Healthy Competition
As part of the Mountain Valley Athletic League, Pardes students compete against other area independent schools. Team sports — basketball, flag football, soccer, tennis, and volleyball — start in fourth grade, where students establish mechanics, game knowledge, and school spirit, with competition beginning in fifth grade. Student-athletes learn valuable life skills on and off the field, including commitment, cooperation, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Creative Expression
Our performing arts program teaches students invaluable public speaking skills as well as how to improvise and think on their feet. Contributing to a production teaches teamwork and collaboration. Starting in lower school, students can participate in the fall and spring performances, and second through eighth graders perform in the spring musical. All performances are full-scale productions that involve a variety of roles, from performers to technical assistants. The annual Festival of Lights Chanukah celebration on campus incorporates performing arts, visual arts, and Chanukah-related STEAM activities.
Leadership and Mentorship
Pardes students benefit from various leadership opportunities, where they reinforce skills learned in the classroom, such as communication, collaboration, and problem solving. Middle School Student Government members are elected by their classmates, representing their community by planning social and community service events. As the oldest grade in lower school, our fourth graders have the opportunity to participate in our Lower School Student Government, helping to foster their leadership skills as they prepare to enter middle school. The Chief Science Officers and STEAM Council apply for these positions and are part of an international program to foster campus-wide interest in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Our Student Ambassadors represent Pardes by welcoming new families to campus as well as attending community events at local synagogues.
Before & After School Activities
For families who need extended care options, we offer before and after school activities. Morning care starts at 7:30am at no additional cost. In addition to tefillah (services) held during the school day, we also provide optional daily tefillah before school.
The Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center provides organized after school programming through Club J. Staff from the program pick up students each afternoon from our campus and walk to the JCC. Our middle schoolers enjoy the opportunity to purchase a teen membership at the JCC, giving them a place to spend time with friends, eat a snack, and do homework after school. While Jewish studies classes are part of the school curriculum, we offer additional after school Judaic programming available to families who are interested.
Are you ready to see Pardes in person?
There’s no better way to determine if a school is the right fit for your family than to take a tour. You’ll see more than classrooms — you’ll see our innovative Makerspace, how our educational community benefits from its location within the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, and how we’ve incorporated Project Based Learning to actively engage students in the learning process.