Frequently Asked Questions
Why should we choose Chicago Jewish Day School?
Parents want to offer their children the best possible learning environment to begin their formal education, and here at CJDS we offer just that. Our children benefit from an outstanding faculty and an exceptional multi-sensory curriculum of Jewish and general studies that is attentive to students’ individual needs. By integrating our subject areas into thematic units, our students develop an understanding of the world around them, allowing them to see and participate in all activities as Jews and Americans. In addition, our educational approach and school culture appreciate and affirm differences in Jewish philosophy and background and value the range of Jewish religious practices among its students.
Parents want to offer their children the best possible learning environment to begin their formal education, and here at CJDS we offer just that. Our children benefit from an outstanding faculty and an exceptional multi-sensory curriculum of Jewish and general studies that is attentive to students’ individual needs. By integrating our subject areas into thematic units, our students develop an understanding of the world around them, allowing them to see and participate in all activities as Jews and Americans. In addition, our educational approach and school culture appreciate and affirm differences in Jewish philosophy and background and value the range of Jewish religious practices among its students.
What about music? art? technology? P.E.? recess?
We believe in the importance of integrating all these disciplines throughout our day. In addition, CJDS has specialists in music, art, P.E. and technology who work with each grade multiple times per week. Our students have recess twice each day. This is just one of the wonderful opportunities for children of different grades to interact with each other socially. When the weather permits, recess is held outside on the grassy field, the beach, and the city playground located right next door to our school facility. Otherwise, recess is held inside in one of the large social halls downstairs from our classrooms.
We believe in the importance of integrating all these disciplines throughout our day. In addition, CJDS has specialists in music, art, P.E. and technology who work with each grade multiple times per week. Our students have recess twice each day. This is just one of the wonderful opportunities for children of different grades to interact with each other socially. When the weather permits, recess is held outside on the grassy field, the beach, and the city playground located right next door to our school facility. Otherwise, recess is held inside in one of the large social halls downstairs from our classrooms.
What about lunch? What if my family doesn’t keep kosher?
CJDS values and respects the varied approaches to the laws of kashrut (keeping kosher) that exist within our community. Our observance of kashrut is guided by the concern that all members of our community feel comfortable eating at school functions. Therefore we ask parents to send in a dairy/parve snack and lunch for their child on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays and to send in a kosher meat/parve snack on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Optional school lunches, catered by Kosher Gourment, are available for purchase.
CJDS values and respects the varied approaches to the laws of kashrut (keeping kosher) that exist within our community. Our observance of kashrut is guided by the concern that all members of our community feel comfortable eating at school functions. Therefore we ask parents to send in a dairy/parve snack and lunch for their child on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays and to send in a kosher meat/parve snack on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Optional school lunches, catered by Kosher Gourment, are available for purchase.
How old does my child have to be in order to begin school?
Your child should be 4 years old by September 1 of the year of enrollment to enter Junior Kindergarten and 5 years old by September 1 of the year of enrollment to enter Kindergarten.
Your child should be 4 years old by September 1 of the year of enrollment to enter Junior Kindergarten and 5 years old by September 1 of the year of enrollment to enter Kindergarten.
Where is the school located?
Our school is located at 5959 North Sheridan Road in Chicago, easily accessible just north of Lake Shore Drive, on the Emanuel Congregation campus.
Our school is located at 5959 North Sheridan Road in Chicago, easily accessible just north of Lake Shore Drive, on the Emanuel Congregation campus.
Does the school provide transportation?
Not at this time, though most families form car pools with others in the school community. Phone lists are distributed over the summer to facilitate this.
Not at this time, though most families form car pools with others in the school community. Phone lists are distributed over the summer to facilitate this.
How long is the school day?
The school day begins at 8:15 a.m. for all grades. Junior Kindergarten ends after lunch at 12:30 p.m. with optional enrichment daily until 3:15 p.m. The school day for all other grades ends at 3:15 p.m. All students are invited to participate in afterschool programs, called Afterschool Adventures. During the winter months CJDS dismisses at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoons for Shabbat and CJDS dismisses at noon on the afternoon preceding Jewish holidays. Before-care and after-care (through the JCC’s Kids Club program) are available onsite for students in all grades.
The school day begins at 8:15 a.m. for all grades. Junior Kindergarten ends after lunch at 12:30 p.m. with optional enrichment daily until 3:15 p.m. The school day for all other grades ends at 3:15 p.m. All students are invited to participate in afterschool programs, called Afterschool Adventures. During the winter months CJDS dismisses at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoons for Shabbat and CJDS dismisses at noon on the afternoon preceding Jewish holidays. Before-care and after-care (through the JCC’s Kids Club program) are available onsite for students in all grades.
How can I support CJDS?
As with virtually all independent schools, CJDS relies on the generosity of board members, parents, grandparents, and members of the community to bridge the gap between tuition income and actual operating expenses. Our Annual Campaign is the primary vehicle for financially supporting our daily programs and operations, including faculty salaries and benefits, curricular materials, professional development, classroom supplies, our art, music and physical education programs and financial aid/tuition assistance. A tribute donation offers you a thoughtful way to celebrate a simcha or express your sympathy while contributing to Chicago Jewish Day School’s mission. An acknowledgement of your donation will be sent to the honoree or the family of the person you are memorializing.
As with virtually all independent schools, CJDS relies on the generosity of board members, parents, grandparents, and members of the community to bridge the gap between tuition income and actual operating expenses. Our Annual Campaign is the primary vehicle for financially supporting our daily programs and operations, including faculty salaries and benefits, curricular materials, professional development, classroom supplies, our art, music and physical education programs and financial aid/tuition assistance. A tribute donation offers you a thoughtful way to celebrate a simcha or express your sympathy while contributing to Chicago Jewish Day School’s mission. An acknowledgement of your donation will be sent to the honoree or the family of the person you are memorializing.
The community that has evolved around our school is nurturing and warm. Our daughters are speaking Hebrew, doing complex math problems, reading stories, creating paintings and exhibiting important values that are crucial to being good Jews and Chicagoans.
Jacob H., CJDS Parent
As a Jewish professional, I feel thankful for the dedicated teachers who instill the love of Jewish learning in a new generation of students. As a parent, I feel blessed by it.
Shelly F., CJDS Parent
We have been supporters and funders of CJDS from the beginning because we believe in the importance of a high-quality, non–denominational Jewish education in the city of Chicago. We are a better Jewish community in Chicago because of CJDS and we are very proud of our involvement.
Michele S., CJDS Board of Trustees
Thank you again for the tour at the school earlier today. We were very impressed by the personal attention that the children get as well as the equipment and the content of the classrooms. We could also pick up on a very happy and positive "vibe", and that is as important to us as a rigorous curriculum.
CJDS Prospective Parents
Our son has developed a really advanced sense of justice, kindness and forgiveness that comes from a child being made aware (not just at home) of what it means to be kind and caring...this just seems to be a foundation of CJDS's philosophy.
Amy B., CJDS Parent
The CJDS community is like having a huge extended family. The warmth and caring of the faculty and staff make CJDS an incredible place to be. Not everyone can say that being at work feels like being at home, but I can.
Morah Judy, CJDS Faculty
