School Program Questions
What is the calendar for 24-25?
Our first day of school is 8.20.24 and the last day is 5.30.25. 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
How many periods of core subject areas do students get each week?
Instructional periods per week:
| Subject | Elementary school
(grades 1-5) |
Middle School
(grades 6-8) |
| Reading | 5 | N/A |
| Writing | 5 | N/A |
| Math | 5 | 5/6 |
| Hebrew | 5 | 4-5 |
| Science / STEAM | 3 | 5 |
| Social Studies | 3/4 | 4 |
| ELA | N/A | 5 |
| Jewish Studies | 3 | 2 |
| Art | 2 | 2 (1 semester) |
| Music | 2 | 2 (1 semester) |
| PE | 2-3 | 2 |
| Electives | 2 | 2 (per semester) |
*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 24-25?
Yavneh offers aftercare in HaMoadon 5 days per week until 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:
- Classroom Sneak Peek 8/16/24
- 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 2 times per year
- Parent/Teacher Conferences: November
- Parent/Teacher Conferences: March
- A consistent mode of communication to share student work, feedback, progress, and glimpses into the classroom.
How are students assessed?
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 extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs will take place?
We are part of an athletic league that offers co-ed flag football (5-8) and basketball (6-8). 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 are 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, speech and debate, 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.
