FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Quick answers to help you get a sense of our school and community

General Overview
Tuition & Financial Aid
School Facilities & Services
Curriculum & Educational Approach
School Size & Learning Environment
Student Preparation & Social-Emotional Support
Enrichment & Extracurricular Activities

General Overview

Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor provides a pluralistic, academically rigorous Jewish educational environment where students develop strong identities and the skills to thrive in an increasingly complex world. Our individualized approach integrates general studies with immersive Judaic curriculum, nurturing both intellectual growth and social-emotional development.

Academic Excellence

  • Individualized learning tailored to each student’s unique style and pace
  • Challenging curriculum exceeding state standards
  • Small class sizes enabling personalized attention
  • Immersive Hebrew instruction creating bilingual proficiency
  • Seamless integration of general and Judaic studies

Cultural & Identity Development

  • Daily integration of Jewish ethics, traditions and history
  • Respect for diverse Jewish practices and perspectives
  • Deep understanding of Jewish heritage strengthening personal identity
  • Authentic experiences with Jewish holidays and lifecycle events
  • Meaningful connection to Israeli culture and society

Community & Belonging

  • Close-knit environment where families share values and priorities
  • Opportunities for multi-age learning relationships
  • Active parent participation connecting home and school
  • Regular tikkun olam (repairing the world) projects
  • Relationships that extend beyond graduation into lifelong friendships

Social-Emotional Growth

  • Character development rooted in Jewish concepts of kindness and justice
  • Curriculum that intentionally nurtures emotional intelligence
  • Safe space for exploring identity and cultural expression
  • Conflict resolution skills based on Jewish principles
  • Balance of Jewish pride with respect for other traditions

Future Preparation

  • Analytical skills that transfer from Jewish text study to secular subjects
  • Confidence as cultural ambassadors in diverse settings
  • Ethical framework for approaching complex decisions
  • Leadership opportunities through prayers, ceremonies and community initiatives
  • Adaptability to navigate multiple cultures and perspectives

Hebrew Day School is committed to making quality Jewish education accessible to all families, regardless of financial circumstances. Our confidential Variable Tuition (VT) process determines tuition levels based on each family’s unique financial situation, creating an inclusive community where economic diversity is valued. Families complete a simple application through a secure third-party service, ensuring privacy throughout the process, and receive personalized tuition amounts that make an HDS education attainable. We believe that financial considerations should never be a barrier to experiencing the transformative benefits of our educational program.

Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor serves students from Kindergarten through 5th grade, including a Young Fives program for students who qualify.

As a community day school, we serve families of all different levels of Jewish observance. Our community includes students affiliated with Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist congregations, as well as those who are unaffiliated. On average, the denominational representation is roughly equal between these categories. We welcome and embrace the diversity within the Jewish community, recognizing the many ways that Jewish identity and expression are alive in the hearts and homes of our students and families. Our school strives to honor each individual’s unique Jewish journey, elevating and celebrating the traditions, values, and practices they bring with them. Together, we create a vibrant and inclusive space where all expressions of Jewish life are valued. We believe this diversity enriches our shared experience.

Tuitions & Financial Aid

  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan): $20,795
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade: $21,795
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
Visit our Admissions Page
Watch video about Variable Tuition

Hebrew Day School is committed to making quality Jewish education accessible to all families, regardless of financial circumstances. Our confidential Variable Tuition (VT) process determines tuition levels based on each family’s unique financial situation, creating an inclusive community where economic diversity is valued. Families complete a simple application through a secure third-party service, ensuring privacy throughout the process, and receive personalized tuition amounts that make an HDS education attainable. We believe that financial considerations should never be a barrier to experiencing the transformative benefits of our educational program.

Visit our Admissions Page

Watch video about Variable Tuition

School Facilities & Services

Yes, we offer after free school bussing service to Burns Park through the public schools.

Students either bring their lunches/snacks from home or participate in the hot lunch program provided by the Jewish Community Center, which has a kosher kitchen. Other than for approved catering event, the entire JCC is a meat-free environment to maintain kashrut standards. The Hebrew Day School is also nut-free, with additional restrictions in place, as needed, based on student requirements.

Curriculum & Educational Approach

Our dual curriculum integrates both Jewish studies and general studies, allowing students to engage deeply with secular and Jewish subjects. This approach enhances their overall educational experience.

  • Cognitive Development: Students develop increased cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills.
  • Communication Skills: Enhanced communication skills are fostered through bilingual education.
  • Cultural Awareness: Greater cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity are cultivated.
  • Identity Strengthening: Students experience a strengthened self-perception and identity.
  • Engaging Learning Methods: The curriculum employs effective and engaging learning methods.

No prior knowledge of Hebrew is required. Our curriculum is designed to support all learners, regardless of their Hebrew language proficiency.  In addition, we have several Israeli students who enter the school with no prior knowledge of English.  The dual curriculum along with our individualized education supports students to thrive in both languages.

Hebrew is introduced as a second language from the first day of Gan, making it a natural part of our students’ lives. Learning a second language at a young age builds competence and confidence in their language skills.

Hebrew is taught not only as a living language but also as a vital component in the study of Jewish liturgy and ancient texts. This dual focus helps students develop critical thinking, questioning skills, and meaningful connections to their heritage, the Jewish People, and modern Israel.

School Size & Learning Environment

Currently, the school has 64 students, with approximately 10-15 students per grade.  

Benefits of Small School and just right sized instructional groups:

  • Personalized Attention: With fewer students, teachers can focus on the individual needs of each child, leading to tailored instruction and better academic support.
  • Stronger Relationships: Smaller class sizes foster closer connections between teachers and students, creating a more nurturing environment where students feel valued and understood.
  • Enhanced Engagement: Students in small classes are often more engaged and participate more actively in discussions and activities, which can enhance their learning experience.
  • Improved Behavior: Smaller classes typically lead to better classroom management, resulting in fewer distractions and a more focused learning atmosphere.
  • Greater Parental Involvement: Small schools encourage active participation from parents, strengthening the school community and supporting student success.

At Hebrew Day School, we are committed to meeting the diverse learning needs of all our students through a variety of tailored teaching methods. Our approach accommodates different learning styles, allowing us to effectively support both remedial and advanced learners.

With small class sizes, we foster individualized attention and small group work, enabling us to offer a range of enrichment and accelerated support. Our dedicated assistant teachers and Learning Specialists regularly collaborate in classrooms, providing essential assistance to students who may need extra time to master specific skills or support for learning differences. This inclusive environment allows Hebrew Day School to deliver a meaningful Jewish education to children with diagnosed learning challenges.

In addition, we have specialized learning experts for both Hebrew and general studies, along with a school psychologist, occupational therapist, and social worker. This comprehensive support team works together to identify and address each child’s unique academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs across all levels of functioning. Our collaborative efforts are focused on improving outcomes for every learner, ensuring a nurturing and effective educational experience.

Student Preparation & Social-Emotional Support

Middle schools love our students! Our students transition to a variety of middle schools, including public middle schools in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas, private secular and Jewish middle schools, based on their individual needs and family preferences.  Our curriculum is designed to ensure that students are well-prepared for the academic challenges of middle school and beyond, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence.

Our dual curriculum maximizes process and skill development to bolster students’ ability to learn and engage with diverse subject matter.

We prioritize social-emotional learning through programs and support systems that foster a positive school climate, encouraging students to develop strong interpersonal skills and emotional resilience.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a vital component of education and child development. Through SEL, children develop skills in five key areas: self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. At Hebrew Day School, we believe that these “human skills” are just as important as academics. Students with a strong foundation in social and emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges, manage their emotions, and navigate relationships. In a supportive, safe, and loving environment, students learn about themselves and others in lessons that are empowering, self-actualizing, and fun. SEL offers positive, long-term effects on students, the school, and the greater community.

Enrichment & Extracurricular Activities

Hebrew Day School offers a variety of enrichment classes including:

  • Art: Students explore line, shape, form, color, value, texture, dimension, unity, balance, movement, rhythm, contrast, emphasis, and pattern.  Students also view and study works of great artists from the world. 
  •  Music: All students sing, move, play rhythm instruments, and listen to a variety of musical styles with the goal of developing positive attitudes and appreciation of music.
  • Gym: The goals of the physical education program at HDS are to promote an active, healthy lifestyle, develop strong sportsmanship norms and expose students to a variety of sports and physical activities.
  • Computer Science: Computer science learning provides students with an important foundation in technology that will boost their curiosity, empower them to seek knowledge, and show them how to make meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom.
  • Library: During weekly visits to the library, students discuss books related to themes inspired by their general and Judaic curricula. Through their interactions with the texts, students are guided in thinking critically, making inferences and predictions, asking questions, and sharing personal responses.
  • Instrumental Learning:
    • 3rd Grade: Recorder
    • 4th Grade: Ukulele
    • 5th Grade: Wind instrument of choice

Yes! Hebrew Day School students can choose from various after-school programs, including:

  • KidZone: The JCC after-school program, running from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Athletics: HDS offers school teams including Fall and Spring soccer and Winter basketball through the Ann Arbor Rec and Ed League
  • Enrichment classes: chess, theater, fitness and music production, among other options.

School Facilities & Services

  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program

Tuition and Financial Aid

  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program

School Tours

  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program
  • First Year of Young Fives (Pre-Gan) or Kindergarten (Gan):X
  • Second Year of Gan through 5th Grade:X
  • Greater than 50% of students have adjusted tuition with our variable tuition program

Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further information!

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