Common Questions & Concerns
1. We are not observant Jews. Will we feel comfortable at the school?
The Solomon Schechter Day School of Albuquerque welcomes families at all points along the spectrum of Jewish identity from intermarried to observant, although all of the families have made a commitment to raise their children as Jews. Great care is taken to present Jewish experiences as opportunities for celebration and for learning without being judgmental.
2. My child has never taken Hebrew. Will he/she be behind if he/she begins there in a later grade?
Your child will not be behind if he/she enrolls at Solomon Schechter in a later grade. Hebrew is not a prerequisite for attending our school. We have new students each year in every grade. In grades 1 & 2, tutoring is provided to bring new students up to the level of their classmates. In grades 3-5 we divide into level-based Hebrew classes so your child will be with other students at his/her level.
3. Exposing my child to diversity is important to me. Won’t sending them to a Jewish school be too limiting?
At Solomon Schechter, our student body is much more diverse than many people assume. We have had students who are African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Israeli.
As a student at Solomon Schechter Day School, your child will participate in cross-cultural and other collaborations with a variety of children outside the school as well. In the past our students have participated in long term projects with students from Acoma Pueblo, an orphanage in Jerusalem, and a Catholic school, as well as students from all over the state for the Marsville program to name a few examples.
Your child also gets diversity through after school sports and activities as well as in your neighborhood. A more important consideration should be “How often does my child really get to experience being part of a Jewish community in a city like Albuquerque?” When your child has a healthy sense of his/her own identity, he/she will be able to function better in our diverse society. Jewish Day Schools give our children a Jewish value base from which they can make meaningful contributions to our American culture.
4. I want my child to get into a good school like the Academy. Can Solomon Schechter compare with other private schools in academic preparation?
Yes, and we have many graduates currently attending the Albuquerque Academy, Sandia Prep, and Bosque School as a result. High academic standards are a top priority at Solomon Schechter. Each year our 3rd through 5th graders take the ITBS (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills), a national standardized test, so we can see how they compare to others their age throughout the country. Our students’ scores have consistently averaged at or above the 70th percentile.
5. How do students develop the necessary General Studies skills when engaged in a dual curriculum?
Students spend the majority of their day in General Studies. During this time, the curriculum is focused to assure that students meet and exceed the New Mexico State Curriculum guidelines. The small class size at SSDS allows teachers to address each child’s individual needs. If a child excels in an area of study, he/she will be able to advance at an accelerated rate. If a child is struggling in an area, he/she can receive extra one-on-one attention.
During the time students spend in Hebrew language and Jewish Studies, they are not only gaining a strong Jewish identity and invaluable foundation of Jewish knowledge, they are also developing complementary skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, reading comprehension, research, debate, and oral presentation. Jewish Studies is often integrated into the General Studies curriculum. When third graders learn about the countries of the world, they will also learn about the Jewish communities in those countries.
Foreign language study is common in many elementary schools especially private schools. Studies have shown that students benefit greatly from learning a foreign language at an early age. Hebrew is a language that you can be sure will be useful to your Jewish child throughout his/her life. Learning Hebrew during the day will also free up your child’s after school schedule, eliminating the need for Hebrew school.