Our Approach

Seattle Jewish Community School (SJCS) progresses seamlessly from Kindergarten to 5th grade, with each step building the foundational skills and values of a well-rounded education.

Throughout the grades, SJCS maintains a strong focus on social-emotional learning, weaving it seamlessly with Jewish values and an intellectual heritage that prizes questions and celebrates multiple perspectives.

This approach ensures that students not only excel academically but also grow as empathetic, responsible, and well-rounded individuals connected to their communities and the different sources of their identities, including their Jewish heritage.

Our progression from Kindergarten to 5th grade, its cohort program, and thoughtful curricular integration, provide a multi-faceted educational experience that prepares students for success in both academics and life beyond school.

A child working on a learning problem with peers

SJCS Educational Journey: Kindergarten to 5th Grade

Kindergarten - The Foundational Year:

In kindergarten at SJCS, we focus on laying a strong foundation for future learning. Students engage in activities that help them develop essential skills in English language, math, Hebrew, Judaic studies, art, music, physical education, and social-emotional learning. SJCS also adds a distinctive pairing of kindergarten students with 5th-grade buddies. These partners work together throughout the year, fostering a sense of community and providing mentorship for the younger students. This interaction is not only heartwarming, but also facilitates the smooth transition into school life.

1st and 2nd Grade Cohort - Building Skills and Teamwork:

In the 1st and 2nd-grade cohort, students continue to build on the foundational skills they acquired in kindergarten. The curriculum prepares students for more advanced academic challenges in the future by placing an emphasis on teamwork and on cultivating the children’s innate curiosity and their internal drive to explore and to learn. The benefits of the looping system, where students have the same teacher for consecutive years, become evident as the strong teacher-student relationships support deeper understanding of individual needs. This continuity enhances learning and personal growth.

3rd and 4th Grade Cohort - Transition to Greater Independence and Collaboration:

As students progress to 3rd and 4th grade, they experience a transition towards greater independence and collaborative learning. SJCS places a strong emphasis on fostering responsible, self-motivated learners who engage actively in their communities. The looping system remains instrumental in building and strengthening relationships amongst the children and between them and their teachers, encouraging students to grow as leaders in the school community, in individual ways, and guiding them forward on their educational journeys.

5th Grade - The Capstone Year:

Students arrive in 5th grade, well-prepared for their capstone year at SJCS. This year includes an exciting joint program called Kehillah M'Shulevet/קהילה משולבת (Integrated Community), bringing SJCS students together with their peers at the Jewish Day School (JDS) in Bellevue. This exchange involves special learning each week on alternating campuses, along with team-building activities and engagement with Jewish institutions throughout the city. The program deepens learning and promotes new friendships. The opportunity to serve as buddies to kindergarten students continues to help 5th graders develop leadership skills and prepares them for the increased independence they will enjoy in middle school.

Learn about our curriculum