Lower School - Chicago Jewish Day School | JK-8 Multi-Denominational Education

In Grades One through Five, students build on the strong foundation established in Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten, developing deeper critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. They begin to understand themselves as learners and individuals.

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We believe children thrive in an environment that balances high academic expectations with strong relationships. Our curriculum inspires engaged learning, deeper understanding, and critical thinking through experiential, thematic units that encourage students to take ownership of their learning.

Rather than simply reading about a topic, students actively explore and experience it in meaningful, authentic ways.

Our faculty embraces differentiated, innovative teaching practices that honor each child's unique strengths, interests, and learning style.

Educating the Whole Child/מחנכים את הילד כולו

CJDS students experience a robust and expansive curriculum that challenges them academically while supporting their growth as confident, curious, and compassionate learners and people.

Responsive Classroom is a cornerstone of this approach and reflects our belief that academic and social-emotional learning are deeply connected. This helps to ensure that every child feels a sense of belonging, purpose, and joy, which are essential ingredients for thriving in school. From our youngest to oldest students, the principles of Responsive Classroom blend social and academic learning throughout the day. Our social-emotional and academic curriculum fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms.

Integrating Judaic and Secular Studies/שילוב לימודי קודש ולימודי חול

Integration is a defining feature of the CJDS curriculum, blending General and Judaic Studies through thematic, interdisciplinary learning. Students explore big ideas while connecting academic content to Jewish texts, values, and holidays.

This approach fosters meaningful connections that reflect the interconnected nature of the real world and inspires a love of lifelong learning. Engaging with ideas and skills across disciplines, from Torah and Hebrew to science, literacy, and social studies, students also discover how Jewish values and traditions deepen their understanding of the world and their place within it.

Inquiry-Based Learning/למידה מבוססת חקר

Inquiry-based learning curriculum invites students to be curious, ask meaningful questions, and think deeply about the world around them. Rather than learning facts and skills in isolation, students explore important ideas through hands-on experiences, discussion, collaboration, and discovery. They learn to make connections, consider different perspectives, and apply their understanding in new ways, building the confidence and critical-thinking skills to become engaged, independent learners.

Two students work together on a Judaic Studies task in a bubble map

Experiential Learning/למידה חווייתית

Experiential learning at CJDS empowers students to take ownership of their learning by actively engaging with the subjects they study. Through hands-on projects, simulations, investigations, and immersive experiences, students move beyond memorizing facts to applying knowledge in meaningful ways.

These purposeful learning experiences deepen understanding, strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and help students make lasting connections across disciplines. By experiencing concepts firsthand, students develop the curiosity, confidence, and skills needed to become engaged, lifelong learners.

Dual Language Advantage/יתרון החינוך הדו־לשוני

The dual Hebrew and English curriculum at Chicago Jewish Day School provides students with a rich, immersive learning experience that integrates strong academic development with meaningful Jewish learning.

From the earliest grades, students develop skills in both languages, strengthening reading comprehension, vocabulary, and flexible thinking. Hebrew serves as a living connection to Torah, prayer, Israel, and Jewish texts, allowing students to engage authentically with Jewish tradition and holidays.

At the same time, strong English instruction ensures comprehensive learning across core subjects, with skills in one language reinforcing growth in the other. This dual approach fosters confident learners who are grounded in Jewish identity and prepared to thrive in both Jewish and global contexts.

Lower School students participate in a variety of specialist classes, including Music, Art, P.E., Technology, and Cooking. They also engage in Tefillah in the Beit Midrash and enjoy play and learning time in our outdoor spaces.

Specialty classes foster creativity, curiosity, and holistic development, while our expansive campus enhances learning beyond the classroom.

The Arts

Visual art and music are both dedicated areas of study and meaningful extensions of Lower School classroom learning. In Visual Arts, the curriculum is often connected to classroom themes as students explore drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. In General Music class, students develop skills, creativity, and confidence while exploring new ways to express ideas. Jewish music further connects students to tefillah, holidays, Israel, and Jewish communities worldwide. Learn more.

Physical Education

P.E. at CJDS gives students the opportunity to move, play, build confidence, and develop healthy habits. Through games, sports, and activities, students learn important skills like teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, and respect.

P.E. is about more than exercise; it allows every student a chance to have fun, try new sports, build friendships, and experience success. As part of educating the whole child, P.E. helps our students become healthier, more confident, resilient, and supportive teammates. Learn more.

Technology

The Walder Innovation Lab brings science, technology, engineering, art, math, and Jewish learning together for Lower School students through hands-on exploration. Students imagine, design, build, test, and revise while learning that trial and error is an important part of discovery. Through coding, building, and creative challenges, including projects that connect innovation with Jewish traditions, students develop creativity, collaboration, confidence, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for the future. Learn more.

Cooking

Located in the newly renovated Mozart building, HaMitbach, our state-of-the-art food lab, gives Lower School students a unique space to bring culinary learning to life. Through hands-on experiences, students connect science, math, Hebrew, Jewish studies, culture, and culinary arts, from exploring chemistry through baking to practicing Hebrew and discovering Jewish traditions through food.

More than a food lab, HaMitbach is a gathering place where students and mishpacha (CJDS family) cook, collaborate, celebrate, and build community - one recipe at a time. Learn more.

An elementary school student proudly shows her artwork in Art class

P.E. and sports are an essential part of the elementary school day for our students

Elementary age students collaborate on a project in the Innovation Lab, where STEAM comes to life

Elementary school age students work together in the Food Lab kitchen as they create a dish together

Grade One Program of Studies (opens in new window/tab)

Grade Two Program of Studies (opens in new window/tab)

Grade Three Program of Studies (opens in new window/tab)

Grade Four Program of Studies (opens in new window/tab)

Grade Five Program of Studies (opens in new window/tab)

Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten

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Middle School

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