Instilling a love of learning; creating life-long learners.
These are the goals of a Golda Och Academy education. We want each student to discover his/her intellectual, creative and social potential. We strive to create a vibrant community that learns together, celebrates together and does tikkun olam (helps to make the world a better place) together.
The elementary grades serve as the foundation. At Golda Och Academy, caring, nurturing relationships between teachers and children enable our students to question thoughtfully and think for themselves. As they interact with each other, they grow to understand the value of belonging to a group, a family, a community and the Jewish people.
As our students progress from grade to grade, they develop greater academic proficiencies and a wider breadth of knowledge in both General and Judaic studies. Each year offers exciting discoveries, new achievements and unique milestones.
- In Pre-K, our teachers foster their students’ natural curiosity by providing developmentally appropriate experiences that enable them to observe, explore, experiment, draw conclusions and ask questions.
- Gan is an exciting year of discovery and growth. Students are introduced to our science program, the Full Option Science System (FOSS), and they begin to learn to read both English and Hebrew.
- In First Grade, students develop a great foundation in reading, writing and math while experiencing the joy of learning. In Judaic studies, our students begin the Tal Am Hebrew program and take their first steps towards Hebrew fluency. The culmination of the year is the Siddur Play when the children receive their first siddur.
- The skills taught in Second Grade expand upon the knowledge gained in the prior grades. The students are encouraged to become independent thinkers and to question with confidence. The year’s milestone event, the Humash Celebration, celebrates the beginning of the children’s formal study of Torah.
- The Third Grade curriculum emphasizes the five C’s – Communication, Caring, Cooperation, Consideration (Menschlichkeit) and Cleanliness. The students are encouraged to explore and apply these values in the classroom, in school, in the community and at home. In Third Grade, students delve into Sefer Bereishit (Genesis), as they develop their critical thinking skills and an appreciation for text study.
- In Fourth Grade, students acquire great independence while continuing to enjoy our nurturing and secure learning environment. Their Jewish literacy deepens as the Jewish community becomes the focus of activity through an emphasis on tikkun olam, repairing the world.
- Fifth Grade lays the foundation for a successful transition to Middle School. Students are encouraged to be critical and independent thinkers, active learners and problem solvers. We look to our fifth graders to be role models for the younger children. The students learn to read Torah and are expected to be able to take leadership roles in Jewish ritual life.
For complete details on our curriculum, please see our Curriculum Guide by clicking here.
