frequently asked questions about RJA

Please click on the questions below for their answers:

• What are the school hours?

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday

• Is there before and after school care?

Parents may bring their children at school for before care as early as 7:30 a.m. After care is available Monday-Friday until 5:30, and provides opportunities for students to engage in physical activity, to work independently on homework and to participate in after school clubs and activities. There is an additional charge for before and after care.

• What is the average class size?

Research reveals what teachers and parents intuitively know: class size does matter. Smaller classes lead to deeper, more meaningful learning experiences and higher student achievement. Our classes typically have between 12 and 15 students. As a result, our teachers are able to spend more time differentiating instruction and working individually with students.

• What is the school's educational philosophy?

Our constructivist classrooms present students with opportunities to build new knowledge from authentic experience. We believe that the primary role of teachers is not to lecture, explain or "transfer" information, but to create situations for students to explore and discover. The faculty is dedicated to uncovering the passions within each child and channeling them into inspired learning.

• Why should I enroll my children there when I a fine public school in my neighborhood?

It's true. Independent school is expensive. Many parents feel they can't afford to send their children. Parents who have chosen RJA feel they can't afford NOT to. Consider these facts:

1. Independent schools maintain small class sizes, so students have opportunities to work individually with teachers and learning specialists, and to be challenged to the level of their ability.
2. Independent school students generally perform better than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. At RJA, students routinely score above the 90th percentile on standardized tests when compared with students at public and private schools.
3. Independent schools are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets, and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction. At RJA, students typically exceed Missouri standards by at least a grade level in all curricular areas.
4. Between the ages of 5-13, a person's value system and sense of religious identity are most fully developed. Studies show that day school graduates express an extraordinary sense of responsibility towards influencing social values, helping those in need and affecting social change. With artistry, love and the magic of community, RJA nurtures children into strong human beings who have a firm Jewish identity and a strong moral compass. (Read more about Jewish day school education.)

 

• We are concerned about diversity. How does RJA address that?

Jewish day schools are more diverse that you may think. Families at our school come from different Judaic backgrounds, socio-economic backgrounds and countries. We welcome interfaith families and address diversity implicitly and explicitly through our curriculum and advocacy programs. What's more, research shows that Jewish day school students enter the world with a confidence to engage with other peoples and places without losing their own heritage. At RJA, students know who they are, and they emerge with the ability to draw strength from their colorful Jewish heritage, adding to the diversity of the world.

• How much of the day is dedicated to Jewish learning.

RJA students develop a proficient knowledge of prayer, a love and respect for Israel, and the ability to read, write and speak Hebrew as a living language. Each of these subjects is artfully integrated into the core curriculum, allowing children to build authentic connections between Judaism and the world around them. For example, a Thanksgiving lesson about the Mayflower might include a discussion about the pilgrims in our own families who came for safety and religious freedom. A science lesson on the prairie biome might include a discussion of Torah and its mandate that humans safeguard the earth's ecosystems.

Students study modern Hebrew for 45 minutes each day. Morning t'fillot (services) connect the children to the stories, songs and values of our people, and enable them to understand how their academic lessons relate to the bigger picture of their lives.

• How will RJA meet the unique learning needs of my child?

Because of our small class sizes and our Alvan D. Rubin Learning Initiative, learning at RJA is differentiated and extensions are provided so that every student is challenged appropriately.

When a student at RJA demonstrates a learning need (be it additional help or an additional challenge), or when a parent requests further inquiry into a child's learning, we gather a Care Team meeting. A Care Team includes every teacher who works with that student, as well as an administrator and our learning specialist. Together, they create a plan for that child's success, and review it several times a year to evaluate its effectiveness.

• How well do RJA students perform on standardized tests?

Each spring, the scores of standardized tests confirm what we already know - that our students are excelling. RJA students consistently score high (90th percentile and above) on the ERB (which measures achievement and reasoning in math and language arts) and WrAP writing assessment. Both tests are widely used by competitive independent schools.

• Where do RJA graduates attend middle school?

Over the last five years, 30 percent of RJA fifth graders chose to apply to private independent middle schools, and all were accepted into the schools of their choice. Many students matriculate seamlessly into public middle schools schools. Read more.

• Does a child starting at RJA in an older grade need to know Hebrew?

We welcome children into the RJA community who have limited or no Hebrew language instruction. Although we often suggest a Hebrew language tutor initially, children typically do well learning to speak and read Hebrew. It's not too late!

• Will my family feel judged for our Judaic practice?

At RJA, Judaism is celebrated every day with purpose and joy. The tenants of Reform Judaism ó choice through knowledge ó guide our practice, thought processes and celebrations. We are here to provide students with knowledge and understanding, and respect each families right to choose how they practice Judaism at home. We fully respect the diversity of religious practice with the St. Louis Jewish community and the unique customs of each congregation.

• Do students take field trips?

At RJA, the world is our laboratory. Students learn about Missouri government inside the state capital building, about the civil war at Lincoln's boyhood home, about Egyptian sculptures at the St. Louis Art Museum and about animals of the arctic at the zoo. As part of the third-grade prairie unit, students hike in the prairie, camp in the prairie and participate in prairie restoration. Fourth graders head for the woodlands to study biotic and abiotic components, and fifth graders visit streams to study erosion.

Beginning in third grade, students go on an overnight adventure trip each year. that allows for the integration of geology, Missouri history, Hebrew language and Judaics. Field work provides opportunities for discovery and for lifelong memories.

• Does RJA offer after school clubs and activities?

At RJA, the joy of learning starts before school and continues through prime time. Clubs cross grade levels, allowing students to learn new skills and strengthen their RJA community at the same time. Activities include chess club, Girl Scouts, fencing, art, math club, Mad Science and more.

• Will my child visit the school?

All children come for a visit as part of the application process. Children applying for kindergarten or first grade will be scheduled for a small playgroup session in January or February. Older children (applying into grades 2 and up) will come for a one-day visit to an RJA classroom at their current grade level. Screenings and visits are scheduled once the application and application fee are received.

• Do you have a school lunch program?

Students may bring lunch to school or purchase a hot lunch. Vegetarian and kosher options always are available. We do not permit students to share lunch so that allergies and dietary observances are respected. RJA follows the dietary guidelines as established by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ): no pork, pork products, shellfish or shellfish products are permitted.