Reviews of Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (Kindergarten)

Annie Cook

Our son started at JCDSRI this year and we could not be happier. The strong academic foundation he is getting is only the start; more fundamentally, he is learning that school is a place where his instinctive love for learning and curiosity is continued and furthered. The school truly focuses on the "whole child;" emotional intelligence is fostered just as much as are academic skills. Most impressively, core values such as empathy and gratitude are not just paid lip service: instead, they are woven into the smallest, simplest details of the curriculum, and add up to something pretty profound. As parents with different religious backgrounds, we feel that our shared values have found in this school a perfect fit.

Anna Kuperman

I teach high school at the local test-in high school, Classical High School. Two of my best writers in my eleventh grade class attended JCDSRI. On our way to a young writers conference, these two high school kids talked about their experiences at their elementary and middle school. They spoke about their time at JCDS with such love and respect that I knew I had to explore it for my then 3 year old. Ruben is now in kindergarten and has been loved and cared for by his teachers. I am crossing my fingers that his writing skills match those of the two kids who introduced me to the school.

Adriane Schoen

JCDSRI is a gift to the local community, and I urge all parents in Rhode Island (and beyond!) to visit the school to discover the magic for themselves. The school’s educators have a special ability to bring out a child’s true potential by fostering values and skills that are critical for success in today’s world. Moreover, the school welcomes families from so many different Jewish backgrounds and has a unique ability to make everyone feel accepted. In doing so, each student develops their own sense of what it means to be a valuable part of their Jewish community and of the world around them. We are thrilled with our decision to send our children to JCDSRI and of the lifelong education they will receive from this school.

Aya Rimon

Great school, my kids love it

kaia POLOFSKY

JCDSRI is a wonderful learning environment. The teachers really care for the children on a deeper level then I have ever witnessed at any other school. My son started at JCDSRI as a second grader....the transition from a non-denomination private school to a Jewish Day School was surprisingly much easier than I had thought, due to the unwavering support of school and other parents. JCDSRI has allowed us to provide a higher love and understanding of Judaism for our child.

Rachel Mersky Woda

JCDS is a fantastic school that allows children to be the best of themselves. It values students as individuals while engaging them in a strong community. Teachers are compassionate, creative and empowering. Students learn Jewish values, skills, pride and knowledge while having a great deal of fun!

Marni Thompson-Tilove

My son in is Pre-K and the teachers are amazing! The level of enthusiasm, professionalism, commitment and dedication to their job is truly unique and outstanding. Having just moved here from NYC, where my son attended one of the best preschools in the country, I was skeptical and nervous to make the transition to this school. However once I spoke to his teacher and met her in person I felt immediately relieved, and excited about the way he would learn and grow here at JCDS-RI. His teachers are committed to a child-led, teacher-inspired learning where children's interests and desires inspire a majority of the curriculum; but because the teachers are incredibly skilled and have a strong sense of child development and early childhood pedagogy they are able to intertwine the children's interests with core learning concepts, challenging the children to grow and at the same time strengthening their social and emotional development. I have every confidence that my son will leave Pre-K with a stronger sense of himself, more resilience with peers, and a deeper love and understanding of what it means to be a Jew and how valuable his voice and mind are in this community.

michael leshinsky

Recommend

Rashmi Licht

JCDS-RI is an amazing school with a wonderful community of teachers, staff and families. It is my son's 2nd year and he loves being there. The size is perfect for an elementary school- it creates an environment of learning and friendship throughout the school. One of the many great gems about the school is that there is buddy system- the PreK is matched with the 3rd grade "buddies.". It teaches the older students about mentorship and the younger ones are thrilled to have this special person as their friend for the next three years. This is just one example of the innovating teaching and learning that occurs at JCDS. Above all, the teachers & staff are so committed to their students- it is not uncommon for one of them to call after hours "just to check in." Through Jewish learning, they are helping me to raise my son to (hopefully!) be a thoughtful and kind person.

Julia Rivin

My son has been loving this school---he seems challenged, cared for, and stimulated. Every morning he runs to get to school sooner. The teachers are wonderful and communicative, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the facilities are quite nice. We are very secular, and feel included in a welcoming Jewish community without pressure on us to be different than we are. A wonderful school that embraces diversity and makes it work!

Deborah Skolnick Einhorn

This morning, before breakfast, my kindergartner son asked "is it a school day today?" When I told him yes, he did a Tiger Woods-style fist pump and said 'YES!' That is the energy that my kids (K and 3rd grade) show each day, coming and going from JCDSRI. Much has been said below about the warm community, progressive education and excellent faculty and leadership - so true. It's just one of those places that you have to see (and feel) to believe. I can't wait for our third child to enter pre-K in 2016!

Barry Dolinger

Education hear is truly geared to the whole child. Creativity is nurtured, not squashed. Emotional intelligence is prized and fostered. Children learn to embody important values, and all of it happens amidst a community filled with palpable warmth.

Kineret Kandelker

My son goes to this school and he loves it! The teachers are warm and skillful and it is a great environment which promotes love of learning!

Alison Walter

JCDS has provided a challenging, nurturing, and caring education for both of my children. Their teachers are creative, innovative and focus on child centered learning. I am confident that my children will graduate from JCDS with a strong sense of who they are and will be ready for the academic rigor of middle school. I believe that JCDS is creating a generation of passionate, thoughtful and forward thinking leaders for the future who care deeply for their community and the world around them.

Josh Hyman

One day, when our 8 year old son was still early in kindergarten at JCDS, I asked him if he had ever been picked on or bullied or had any problems with any other kids. He looked at me with disbelief. " I go to a peaceful school, Dad." As I got to know the wonderful community of parents, teachers and staff I realized what a silly question it was. JCDSRI is a little bubble of rainbows. My son is progressing well academically in the 3" R"s, he's thriving socially and he is getting a foundation in Hebrew language and culture. It was my wife who identified as Jewish so the cultural part is a pleasant surprise for me as I learn along with my son.