parents | alumni | teachers | ISACS
“We have watched our kids grow in many ways at this school. The nurturing faculty and administration have helped our child blossom academically and socially. MJDS importantly reinforces a value system that will stay with these kids throughout their lives.”
--Upper Grade Parent
“MJDS has given us something we did not expect: A family connection to the Jewish community. We are very thankful to be a part of this amazing group of caring, giving, nurturing and supportive families. MJDS will always remain a big part of our lives.”
--Upper Grade Parent
“MJDS is a wonderful, caring community that gives children a tremendous Jewish background. Kids grow up with Judaism as a natural part of their lives and become confident, comfortable Jewish young people.”
---Upper Division Parent
“We are very pleased with the math program at MJDS. In fact, the series that is used by the school was only used by the advanced track math program in our local school when our older son was there. We are confident our children are getting an excellent math foundation.”
--Parent of Upper and Lower Division Students
“Our children have had terrific teachers who have been sensitive and nurturing. Their individual differences have been celebrated. As long as the kids are comfortable and thriving, we will be at MJDS.”
--Upper Division Parent
We have found that MJDS truly fosters learning in a high quality, nurturing environment. Our girls have learned about the importance of hard work –even when things didn’t come easy or naturally. We also like how MJDS artfully weaves core values and the need for respecting others in diverse communities into all aspects of its program.”
--Parent of Upper and Lower Division Students
“MJDS’s greatest strengths are maintaining small classroom sizes with appropriate general studies and foreign language class time for all children while creating an environment where every child feels equal and important.”
--Lower Division Parent
“MJDS teachers seem to make it happen for every child every day. They are committed and creative and loving. It seems clear that they are the ones each day who make my child love school and learning – for me, that’s what school is all about.”
--Lower Division Parent
“Thank you, MJDS, for what you give our children everyday. When we hear the most breathtaking Hebrew songs and vocabulary, love of Israel and passion for Judaism exuded from our children, we want to say ‘thank you’. When we get reports about temperatures taken, ice packs given and shoes tied, we want to say ‘thank you’. When we learn about books and artists being discussed, we want to say ‘thank you’. When we hear about classroom conflicts being thoughtfully and creatively resolved, we want to say ‘thank you’. When we witness math computations that we ourselves do not understand, we want to say a BIG ‘thank you’. There are countless more ways we are moved everyday by what our children experience at MJDS. Thank you, MJDS, for your devotion our future. The school has helped to teach our children core values that will last them their entire lifetime -- and for that we are the most grateful.”
--Parent of Upper and Lower Division Students
“This year in our sixth grade community we learned while having fun. We committed to thinking before we spoke -- so nobody’s feelings would get hurt. We tried new things, always did our best, and were not afraid of failing because we knew we would not be judged.”
--Class of 2005
“MJDS taught me many things, though what stands out in my mind is how the school taught me to be independent, to organize my time, and to speak comfortably in front of a crowd. Because of MJDS I am confident in what I believe.”
--Class of 1999
“To this day I remember always looking forward to Fridays at MJDS. The whole school got together for Kabbalat Shabbat. It was so special singing the Shabbat songs and doing the blessings as a community.”
--Class of 1999
“At MJDS I learned what it meant to be a good friend.”
--Class of 1996
“My experience at MJDS was really a catalyst for the rest of my Jewish experience. I attribute much of what I have accomplished in my life to MJDS. Although the environment in which I went to school was vastly different than the current one, the school’s guiding principles and fundamentals have remained constant and thoroughly prepared for what lies ahead, with essential life skills that are not available in other schools.”
--Class of 1992
“At MJDS I learned to think critically and how to express my ideas and arguments orally and in writing. I also learned how to feel comfortable talking in front of a group.”
--Class of 2001
“Curiosity for learning was encouraged and a supportive environment was also evident. The positive role models at MJDS helped prepare me for middle school.”
--Class of 2001
“MJDS made me more comfortable with asking questions in class and talking with teachers if I needed help.”
--Class of 2000
“I will never forget these people I have grown up with at MJDS. They are like my family now. I consider the school my home away from home.”
--Class of 2005
“MJDS students pride themselves on having fun and developing wonderful relationships while learning a lot in school.”
--Class of 2005
“MJDS is a very caring community and a great school to work at.”
--Current MJDS Teacher
“Watching these children blossom and flower under our watch is a thrill.”
--Current MJDS Teacher
“MJDS’s intellectual environment of asking ‘Why?’ has made my students and me the best mathematicians we can be.”
--Former MJDS Teacher
“I see MJDS students express loyalty and devotion to each other day after day. I see our dedicated faculty and staff respectfully and lovingly teaching and taking care of one another. What a joy it is for me to be part of the MJDS family.”
---Current MJDS Teacher/Administrator
“I have wonderfully-warm memories of MJDS – the incredible teachers who helped shape the school in its early years, the heavily invested board, the parents who trusted us with the foundational years of their children’s education, and of course, the inquisitive and lively students who learned with us year after year.”
--Former MJDS Administrator
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Thoughtful and innovative range of Jewish experiences for students, faculty and parents including study of Hebrew, T’filah
, Jewish culture and core values.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Commitment to understanding and acceptance of all streams of Judaism…Representing a broad spectrum of Jewish life, the parents of MJDS feel comfortable and open about their level of Jewish practice.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Participation in curricular and extracurricular community activities that support local, national and international causes and its efforts to ensure that the organizations it works with represent the diversity of the greater community.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Visibility and integration of the school’s core values into all aspects of school life…The dual focus [of MJDS’s program] is for the most part seamless.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Skillful use of classroom space and materials that foster age appropriate independence…Students are able to use many modalities to learn as a class lessons include signing, dancing, tasting, drama, game playing, writing, illustrating and oral presentation.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Use of materials and projects that incorporate and represent many of the diverse aspects of American Society and world cultures.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “The ability to create a school community that models the behaviors that are at the heart of each of the core values…The school is able to create a rich, vibrant and dynamic Jewish environment for the students, parents and staff.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Thoughtful and child centered approach to assessing the progress and needs of each child in the school community...”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Commitment to providing students with opportunities for creative expressions of prayer and their relationship to God...The community of students and teachers is afforded the opportunity to meaningfully mark moments of joy or sadness in each other’s lives [through prayer service].”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “The school climate is nurturing and supportive while providing students with age appropriate challenging and engaging learning experiences…Confident and engaged students take pride in their school and in being productive learners.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “Use of differentiated instruction, flexible grouping and tiered assignments to address the varying learning styles of its students.”
The ISACS visiting team commends MJDS for its: “MJDS has achieved its mission by creating a community committed to inspiring life-long learning and security, academic growth and the spiritual safety for its children, families, staff and lay leaders.”
PARENTS
TEACHERS