What makes Yavneh special?
Diverse, Yet Well-Integrated
Yavneh Day School is a distinguished school offering grades
K-8. (A new Junior Kindergarten will open in the 2008-2009 academic year.) Yavneh is the only Solomon Schechter-affiliated school in
Northern California. We offer a familiar home to Conservative families — and
a welcoming, inclusive environment for all Jewish families, no matter
what their synagogue affiliation or level of ritual observance.
Multi-level approaches are used in reading, math and Hebrew
language. A special Israeli curriculum addresses the needs of native
Hebrew speakers while introductory Hebrew is available at every grade
level. In addition to being “a
huge community of happiness,” Yavneh is also a community of mensches.
Come see our community for yourself – Yavneh can’t wait to
welcome you.
Where is Yavneh located?
Yavneh is located at Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus
in Los Gatos, close to highways 85 and 17. Yavneh shares the campus with
the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center and Preschool, Jewish Family
Services and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
How many grades does it have?
Yavneh serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
How long is the kindergarten day?
The kindergarten day runs the same length as the upper grades: from
8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The latter part of the kindergarteners’ day
is slower paced, allowing these youngest students to feel relaxed and
comfortable by the end of the school day.
How much time is spent on Hebrew and Judaica Studies?
In accordance with the guidelines of the Solomon Schechter Day School
Association, 40% of the students’ curriculum is devoted to Hebrew
and Judaica. Hebrew is offered at different levels, depending on the
student’s capabilities.
An advanced track is offered for native
Hebrew speakers as well as an entry level track for the lateral transfer
student who has no prior knowledge of Hebrew. The Judaica curriculum
includes study of Jewish rituals, holidays, texts and history with a
special focus on developing a student’s connection to Israel.
How can I measure the strength of the academic program?
Yavneh has adopted rigorous curricular standards and benchmarks. Standardized
testing is one of several measures used to evaluate both individual student
progress and the effectiveness of the instructional program at each grade
level. Test results are analyzed item by item as well as evaluating student
work as part of an authentic assessment. Results are compared to the
standards and benchmarks of other independent schools both locally and
nationally, and our scores are competitive with the best institutions.
Yavneh is accredited by the California Association of Independent
Schools, an association of the top independent schools in the state.
Are there any enrichment or extra curricular activities?
Yavneh’s faculty includes specialists in science, art, music and
physical education. Involvement is also offered in student council, student
newspaper and student choir. Yavneh students participate in a community
mitzvah opportunities in the South Bay, and join the community for Israel
Celebration Day. A siddur ceremony in 1st grade, a chumash ceremony in
3rd grade and a Torah trope ceremony in 5th grade are important rites
of passage, as are the 4th grade trip to Gold Rush camp and the 5th grade
trip to Walden West Outdoor School.
Does Yavneh offer team sports?
Yavneh participates in the Silicon Valley Athletic League with a co-ed
flag football team, a girls’ volleyball team and a boys’ basketball
team. Expansion of the sports program is currently underway.
Do I have to be a Conservative Jew to send my child to Yavneh?
Yavneh is affiliated with the Solomon Schechter Day School Association,
a Conservative organization. Approximately 1/3 of the student population
is affiliated with a Conservative synagogue, 1/3 of our families are
affiliated with Reform congregations and the remaining 1/3 are not affiliated
with any synagogue.
Yavneh espouses the philosophy of the Conservative
movement while recognizing that its population is diverse in its levels
of observance. Yavneh welcomes all families who value Judaism as an
important part of their family and who want their children to have a
strong Jewish and General Studies education.
What if my child has learning challenges or is particularly gifted?
Yavneh Day School welcomes and serves a diverse student population.
As a result we have students with a wide variety of special needs, from
students who need accelerated work to students who may find an academic
area particularly challenging.
Our Learning Specialist works with students,
parents and teachers to create individualized plans where needed. As
a result, staff and program allocations reflect our commitment to serve
our diverse population.
Yavneh also features a multi-level Hebrew program
to meet the needs of native Hebrew speakers as well as students who laterally
transfer to the school with no prior knowledge of Hebrew and students
for whom acquiring a second language is especially challenging.
How big are the classes?
Typically classes range from 18 to 24 students. For significant portions
of the day, students are divided into small learning groups where the
teacher: student ratio is 1:12 or less.
What is special about Yavneh?
Yavneh is more than an outstanding academic school; it is
a warm, nurturing community. Families gather to celebrate the life cycle
events that are the rites of passage for each grade. They come together
to perform tzedakah projects, celebrate holidays and support each other
in times of need.
Whether coordinating a yearlong mincha minyan for a parent
who needed to say Kaddish or preparing meals and arranging for housekeeping
help for a new mother, members of the Yavneh
community are there for each other.
Graduates of Yavneh take with them
a special breed of menschlichkeit – compassion for others and respectful
treatment of every human being. They are well prepared for the next stage
of their lives academically, spiritually and emotionally. This is what
Yavneh is about.
Does Yavneh offer before and after school care?
Yavneh Day School is pleased to work with the Addison Penzak Jewish
Community Center in providing both before school and after school day
care at a reasonable price.
Do I have to keep kosher to go to Yavneh?
At Yavneh the laws of kashrut are taught as a component of the Judaic
curriculum and observed within the climate of the school’s diverse
population. Children bringing lunch to school may bring any dairy or
vegetarian products they like. For classroom birthday celebrations or
potluck meals such as the Tu B’Shevat Seder and Purim seudah, parents
may bring in dairy or vegetarian dishes.
What is the tuition?
Yavneh is all about value. Your child’s education is perhaps the
greatest gift you can give and dollars spent on a day school education
are well spent. Your child will receive a first-class academic education
in both general and Judaic studies and will acquire a second language.
He or she will be enriched artistically, intellectually, spiritually
and emotionally. All of this is accomplished in an environment that emphasizes
the values of a community that understands our obligations to each other
and to our world.
Tuition is comparable with other Jewish day schools and significantly
less than other independent schools. Tuition charged has historically
represented 80% or less of the actual operating cost in an effort to
make this exceptional educational experience accessible to the greatest
number of families. In addition, tuition assistance is offered through
a confidential process to families who qualify. Addition information
is offered in our Admissions section.
What are the requirements for admission?
Prospective kindergarten students are screened for developmental readiness.
The screening process includes teacher observation, interaction with
the child and consultation with the child’s preschool teacher.
Older students are evaluated on a per child basis based on a variety
of criteria. Prior knowledge of Hebrew is not a requirement for admission.
How do I learn more?
Call Dana Lowy, Director of Admissions, at 408-357-7474 to request an
application or to schedule a tour and meeting with Head of School Stephen R. Bogad. Classroom observations and meetings with individual
teachers or specialists are available by appointment.
We all look forward
to hearing from you!
|
