FAQ’s 2023-2024

School Program Questions

What is the calendar for 23-24? 

Our first day of school is 8.22.23 and the last day is 6.6.24. Here is a link to the full academic calendar.

What are the school hours? 

K-4th: 

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 8:15 am – 3:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:15am – 2:30pm
Friday: 8:15am – 3:00pm

5th:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 8:15 am – 3:45 pm
Wednesday: 8:15am – 2:30pm
Friday: 8:15am – 3:00pm

Middle school: 

Monday – Thursday:  8:15am – 3:45pm
Friday: 8:15am – 3:00pm

Why are there changes to the school hours? 

• To align the start time between lower school and middle school 
• To provide students with more choice (electives)
• To give teachers more collaboration time
• Wednesday early release is aligned with the surrounding public schools and after school activities 

What educational changes are being made for 23-24? 

• We are renewing our commitment to academic excellence by focusing on core subjects – reading, writing, and math. 
• We are investing in a new reading and writing program, FUNdations, a science-based literacy curriculum that uses multi-sensory lessons to lay the groundwork for life-long literacy. This program focuses on reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting. We are thoroughly training all K-3 teachers in this program.
• We are increasing our focus on character and skill-set development such as teamwork, empathy, kindness, perseverance, etc. We will utilize our Keshet of Kavod program as well as morning meetings, closing circles, and buddy activities to help our students develop resilience and healthy social-emotional awareness.  
• A new classroom instructional model: 
  • We will separate the instructional language to better focus on Hebrew language acquisition (see more below) and English language/general studies instruction. Explicit Hebrew instruction will get the time it needs in order for students to acquire reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. All other subjects will be taught in English, with Hebrew vocabulary taught and used as appropriate to supplement and complement learning. This model also allows for differentiation within each classroom for the entire spectrum of language acquisition, from native level through to emergent learners.
  • Jewish Studies will be taught primarily in English, both explicitly as its own discipline and integrated thoughtfully into the wider curriculum.
  • In grades 1-4, there will be one lead teacher who is ultimately responsible for the curriculum. That teacher will work in partnership with the Hebrew teacher and other specialists to create the best educational experience for their age group. 
  • Kindergarten will remain the same with two teachers, one English speaking teacher and one Hebrew speaking teacher working together. 
• We are introducing a new innovation and entrepreneurship program for all 7th and 8th graders. 
• Elementary School Electives: Three days per week, our elementary school (grades 1-4) will begin with electives. Students and families can choose between a variety of co-curricular classes, including music, Hebrew, movement, and art. These electives will be offered as rotations so students can both follow their passions and try new things. These electives are in addition to the regular classes in art, music, STEAM, and P.E.
• Spanish language: Our Spanish language program is currently under review.

How many periods of core subject areas do students get each week? 

Instructional periods per week:  

*This is the current plan, subject to change. 

What is the curriculum for each class?

Click here for Kindergarten curriculum 

Click here for 1st Grade curriculum 

Click here for 2nd Grade curriculum

Click here for 3rd Grade curriculum 

Click here for 4th Grade curriculum 

Click here for 5th Grade curriculum 

Click here for 6th Grade curriculum 

Click here for 7th Grade curriculum 

Click here for 8th Grade curriculum 

What does subject integration look like next year? 

We remain faithful to our belief that learning is meaningful when it is relevant. An important part of making learning relevant is cross-curricular integration, Jewish integration, and modality integration.

Cross-curricular: When possible, units of study will overlap and intertwine. For example, when 3rd grade learns about the Ohlone people’s use of acorns in social studies, they also dissect an acorn and learn about the lifecycle of an oak tree during science. They might also be reading a novel in ELA that deals with Native American history. 

Jewish Studies: There are innumerable opportunities to integrate Jewish Studies throughout the curriculum. In middle school ELA, for example, the students often read secular text and Jewish text side by side in order to deepen their exploration of themes and highlight places where the texts support and challenge each other. Or, in 4th grade, when the students are learning about topography, they study topographical maps of both California and Israel.

Modality: Over the course of any given week, students will be interacting with content in a variety of ways—through text, art, movement, group work, independent work, music, manipulatives, etc. This gives every student the opportunity to learn content in ways that are comfortable for them and in ways that will stretch and challenge them. 

What are the aftercare and enrichment class options for 23-24?

Yavneh will offer aftercare in HaMoadon 5 days per week, from 3:30pm-5:30pm. There will also be a slate of enrichment activities suitable for students of every age.

Is there standardized testing? 

Students in grades 2 – 8 take the NWEA MAP tests in mathematics, language usage, and reading comprehension. The MAP test measures growth from year to year. This assessment is used as a tool to improve student learning by enabling teachers to recognize where to focus attention for your child’s learning.  These assessments determine your child’s instructional level and measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year.

When does standardized testing take place? 

MAP testing takes place in the spring.

When and how will I hear from my student’s teachers about my student’s progress? 

Communication between teachers and parents is a key component to a successful school experience. We are designing multiple opportunities for teachers and parents to communicate, as detailed below. The most important message from us is that we are here for you. We want to partner with you and welcome any feedback, questions, or request for clarification at any time. Do not wait for our official/planned contact points if you have anything you need to talk to us – please contact the teachers. 

Our designed contact points: 

• Curriculum plan at Back to School Night
• Report cards
  • K: Semester narratives
  • 1-4: Semester progress reports with E, M, P, N assessment scale and comments
  • 5th-8th: Semester report cards with letter grades with sub grades
• Parent/teacher conferences three times per year
  • Family Conferences: 8/17/23
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences: 11/27-29/23
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences: 3/26-28/24
• A consistent mode of communication to share student work, feedback, progress, and glimpses into the classroom.

How will students be assessed next year? 

Assessments look different at each grade level. Some forms of assessment are formal and others are more informal. These assessments are used to share updates about student learning with parents, help guide our instruction, and ensure we are meeting the needs of each of our students. 

What student support services will be offered next year? 

Our Director of Student Support, Zivit Reiter, will continue to lead student support. She will lead our SST (Student Study Team) process that both identifies areas of need and ways to support each student. 

What overnight journeys will be offered? 

4th grade: Marin Headlands (Naturebridge), 2 nights
5th and 6th grades: Marin Headlands (Naturebridge), 4 nights
7th grade: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, 4 nights
8th Grade: Israel, 14 nights

*This is the current plan, subject to change.

What extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs will take place? 

We are part of an athletic league that offers co-ed flag football and basketball for grades 5-8. We are exploring additional team sports for next year and will update once finalized. In addition, we will offer a slate of after school enrichment classes on a rotating basis. Past classes included art, speech and debate, cooking, kitchen chemistry, homework club, and Hebrew enrichment. 

What language options are being offered in Middle School? 

All students will study Hebrew. 

What electives will be offered in Middle School? 

Our elective offerings vary from year to year. We consistently offer the following types of electives:

STEAM, multimedia art, music (instrumental and vocal), performing arts, sports, yoga, and cooking.

What electives will be offered in 5th grade? 

5th grade participates in the same electives as Middle School. 

Does my child need to bring their own computer to school? If so, what grade level? 

Beginning in 5th grade, students must bring their own device to school every day. If families cannot provide their own devices, Yavneh has a number of Chromebooks that students may borrow for the length of the school year. 

Enrollment, Tuition & Tuition Assistance Questions

What are the Tuition and fees for the 2023 – 2024 school year? 

Tuition:

Kindergarten: $34,430
1st Grade – 5th Grade: $35,290
6th Grade – 8th Grade: $36,585

Included in tuition: all classroom expenses, school supplies/books, field trips, and overnight journeys (excluding 8th grade Israel trip). 

Not included: 8th grade trip to Israel

Fees:

YPA Dues: $180 per student
Tuition Insurance: 1.6% of student’s tuition 

Is there a sibling discount?

Yes, there is a 10% discount on the youngest student’s tuition. Discounts cannot be combined or apply to families receiving tuition assistance. 

How much is the deposit for the 2023-2024 school year? 

The deposit is $1000 per child.

When are re-enrollment contracts and new student contracts sent for the 2023-2024 school year? 

Re-enrollment contracts are sent February 28, 2023 and new student contracts are sent March 16, 2023. 

When are deposits and re-enrollment contracts due for the 2023-2024 school year? 

Deposits for current Yavneh families are due on March 10, 2023 and deposits for new families are due on March 24th, 2023.

What are the payment options for next year? 

Families can pay in one, three, or ten installments. There is a 2% discount if payment is made in 1 installment by May 1, 2023. 

What is tuition insurance and where can I find more information? All families are required to pay tuition insurance. 

The Dewar Tuition Insurance Plan is a program that is designed to protect a family’s tuition investment in the event that circumstances arise that require withdrawal or dismissal from the school. The premium is due by August 1, 2023 and is non-refundable. More information can be found here. 

If I applied for tuition assistance for next year, when will I be notified about an award amount? 

The official notification of the tuition assistance amounts is shared as part of your re-enrollment/enrollment contracts.  

When do I apply for tuition assistance? 

Tuition assistance applications must be submitted each year beginning in the 2023-2024 school year for anyone applying for tuition assistance. Anyone who is applying for tuition assistance for the 2024-25 school year must submit an application through Clarity by January 2024. More info about Yavneh’s tuition assistance program is here. 

When is the tuition assistance award process complete? 

Typically, we will have awarded all funds by mid-March. Unfortunately, there may not be any more tuition assistance funds available for applicants after that time.