Early Childhood

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Vision

At PJA we value each child as an individual who learns in a multitude of ways. Our early childhood programs provide welcoming and inclusive settings that recognize children’s diverse abilities, interests, needs, and learning styles.

Philosophy & Program
Community & Environment

Philosophy & Program

We believe that children learn best through meaningful play, exploration, and an inquiry-based approach to learning. Our child-centered program integrates social and emotional development, cognitive skills, language and literacy, mathematical and scientific exploration, Hebrew language and Jewish life, art and music, and fine and gross motor development.

It is our conviction that children are capable and independent, and this is reflected across all developmental domains. Children are encouraged to make choices, practice individual decision-making, and develop a sense of themselves as capable and as self-advocates. Children are viewed as thinkers, reflecting on their world, and as empathetic individuals who care for and engage with their peers and contribute to the community.

PJA blends several philosophies and educational theories to create a program that takes each child’s learning styles into consideration, while placing Jewish life at the core. Curriculum is created in a holistic manner and individualized to the needs of each classroom, while keeping in mind developmental milestones for each age group.

Our curriculum and philosophy are further supported through:

Weekly in-class child-led Kabbalat Shabbat
Community partnerships
Mitzvot and the practice of Jewish value
Individual portfolio reflection
Music, movement, and mindfulness opportunities
Cooking experiences and healthy snacks
Dramatic play
Block play and building
Art, sensory play, re-purposed projects
Library areas in classroom

Community & Environment

We believe that families are a child’s first teachers. Children learn best when families are involved in their educational program and community is established within the school. At PJA we value partnering with families and our community; our shared campus offers unique opportunities, both planned and spontaneous, for intergenerational learning and expanding community.

Living our middah (value) of kehillah (community) we place importance on collaborating with a diverse array of organizations within the Jewish and general community. This creates partnerships that enhance and enrich the lives of our students and our partners.

Our school environment is open, warm, and nurturing; our community feels like a family and encourages open communication, support, and feedback for each child. Teachers intentionally develop classroom environments that support engagement and a sense of welcoming and calm. Our classrooms incorporate natural elements, including a naturally inspired color palette, and materials that allow for more open-ended play.

FAQs

Do you have to be Jewish to attend PJA?

No. PJA is a Jewish community day school and we are open to everyone, regardless of faith.

Are applications accepted year-round?

Yes, we accept applications and inquiries all throughout the year.

Do you offer Tuition Assistance in Early Childhood programs?

Yes. Tuition assistance is based purely on financial need, and we do not offer merit scholarships. It is important to us as a school that we support social/economic diversity, so we fundraise in various ways through the year to offer financial support to those who need it.

Can we participate in MJCC Afterschool Classes?

Yes! For Preschool-aged children, there are a variety of afterschool activities that are offered through our campus partner, the MJCC. The MJCC has state of the art facilities including a rock wall, gymnasium, and indoor SportsPlex. Afterschool transport is also available. For more information, visit the MJCC's Youth Programs webpage. Please note: PJA families must complete two forms in order to be eligible for Afterschool transport: PJA's Class Permission Form, and the MJCC's After School Transport form.

Does my child need to be potty-trained?

No, children do not need to be potty-trained in order to attend our Early Childhood programs.

Are meals provided during the school day?

Kosher snacks are provided in the morning and afternoon. Families should pack a vegetarian lunch for their child.

Is summer care available?

Our Infant-Toddler program offers care all throughout the year, including summertime. Our Preschool program operates on the Day School calendar and does not have summer care. Summer care options on our campus are available through PJA Summer Discovery (ages 4+), and MJCC Day Camp (ages 3+).

Tuition

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance may be available to your family.

Tuition assistance is determined on the basis of need as well as timely submission of the tuition assistance application and registration forms. We strive to make it possible for students whose families require assistance to attend PJA, while stewarding the community's resources responsibly. While PJA rarely grants awards greater than 50% in tuition assistance, PJA may consider requests that are greater than 50% for certain circumstances. PJA is committed to addressing the concerns that families have regarding the affordability of a Jewish Day School education and strongly encourages families at every level of need to apply for financial assistance.

We utilize the online service of Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) to process applications. FAST will be the standard submission format for all applications. Families with complicated or unusual financial situations may be asked to provide supplemental information.

FAST does not decide whether tuition assistance will be given or how much to give; rather, FAST provides a need-based financial aid analysis service which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from FAST is kept confidential. Results are reviewed by the Tuition Assistance Committee which makes recommendations and the determination of awards are solely the responsibility of the PJA Tuition Assistance Committee, PJA Principal and Chief Financial Officer. This committee considers all submitted information and individual tuition assistance decisions to be strictly confidential. Tuition Assistance offers are then sent to families.

To apply for Tuition Assistance, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Complete the FAST Financial Aid Application online.
Step 2: Submit a personal statement (encouraged)
Step 3: Submit your tax documents

For more information on Tuition Assistance, please visit our program specific webpages and click on the "Tuition Support" tab.
Click here to go to our Preschool page | Click here to go to our Infant-Toddler Development page

Click here to apply for Tuition Assistance.

Calendars

See Our Early Childhood Spotlights

Our Expanding Buddy Program

PJA has had a special buddy program for our Middle School students and our K-2 students for many years. Many students would say that getting to know their younger or older buddies was one of the highlights of their PJA experience.

Early Childhood

Holiday celebrations have looked very different in PJA’s Early Childhood program in the last couple of years. Take Purim, which we celebrated earlier this month...

Butterflies

Our PJA Pre-k community is pretty special! In Kim Krikorian’s class what started out as an exploration of the lifecycle of a butterfly turned into a thoughtful conversation about kavod (respect), kehillah (community), and diversity.

Children's Books - “Let’s Talk About Race” by Julius Lester

We want to thank last year’s PJA Giving Circle for providing a grant to the PJA Early Childhood program to build a collection of young children’s books that highlight BIPOC authors, illustrators, characters, stories and settings.

Early Childhood Summer Program

On July 6th, the quiet hallways of Portland Jewish Academy were once again filled with voices and laughter; as a group of children ages one through four returned to school for PJA’s Early Childhood summer program.

Earth Day

PJA teachers from our Infant/Toddler program, Preschool, and Day School provided great ideas for activities for our students to celebrate Earth Day 2020.

In This Section

Early Childhood

Vision

Philosophy & Program

Philosophy & Program

Community & Environment

Community & Environment

FAQs

Do you have to be Jewish to attend PJA?

Are applications accepted year-round?

Do you offer Tuition Assistance in Early Childhood programs?

Can we participate in MJCC Afterschool Classes?

Does my child need to be potty-trained?

Are meals provided during the school day?

Is summer care available?

Tuition

2023-24 Infant-Toddler Tuition Rates

2023-24 Preschool Tuition Rates

Tuition Assistance

Calendars

See Our Early Childhood Spotlights