Why Choose Schechter

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Schechter

If you’re considering Schechter, but want to know how the education will shape your child, read on! Here’s the hallmark of a Schechter education:

1. Character Influenced by Core Values
   Every decision made at Schechter is guided by our core values: Chochmah /Wisdom, Lev Tov /Good Heart, Kehillah/Community, Mitzvot/Jewish Practice, and Klal Yisrael/Unity of the Jewish People. As a community, we live and model these ideals, thereby inspiring and guiding the developing character in each of our students.
2. Engaged Learning through Personalized Instruction
   Our personalized instruction instills a lifelong love of learning. In all subjects, our curriculum builds in opportunities for exploration and curiosity-driven deep dives. Project time in our Scott Shoham Makerspace leads students to see themselves as designers and creators; they use the Makerspace to demonstrate learning in innovative and exciting ways. 
3. Nourished Minds and Hearts
   Every Friday, we open our doors to the greater Jewish community and come together for soulful and spirited pre-Shabbat programming. At schoolwide ReLiSh (Ruach L’chvod Shabbat) assemblies and at our special Early Childhood Shabbat gatherings, students, parents, grandparents, and other guests come together for singing, dancing, and celebration. All who attend leave with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts!
4. An International Advantage
   Recognizing that ours is a globally connected world, we prepare students with early language acquisition. Four-year olds in the Early Childhood Program start with Hebrew by focusing on speaking and listening. Students continue with Hebrew through 8th grade and also start Spanish in 5th grade — their third language! We are proud that members of the Schechter community come from all over the world. Our students and families represent several nationalities and speak various languages spoken at home.
5. Leadership nourished at every age
   Early childhood students help set up for their Shabbat programs. Students in third through eighth grade present work samples to their parents at Student Portfolio conferences. Students in the middle school serve on Student Council, and gain comfort making schoolwide morning announcements. At Schechter, every child builds poise and confidence, and learns to stand in front of a crowd and deliver a message. Our students develop a sense of responsibility, and grow to be leaders.  
6. Know, Love and Experience Israel
   Schechter students personally come to know and value Israel — through their hearts, minds and bodies. All our Hebrew faculty members are native Israelis who bring the country and culture into the classroom through language, music, dance, literature and food. As a capstone experience, the 8th grade class visits Israel for 2-week. Schechter also partners closely with the Jewish Federation's Israel Emissary ( shlichah), who brings meaningful and fun programs to our students to foster further engagement with Israel and its people.
7. Active Participants from Early Childhood On
   With a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning, young children in our Early Childhood Program develop a sense of empowered communication that they carry with them. They are an active part of the curriculum — their interests, observations, and curiosity is factored into the classroom learning. The curriculum is also rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards.
8. Applied Knowledge through Critical Analysis
   Schechter’s rigorous Judaics studies classes provide students the opportunity to engage in critical analysis from a young age. These skills transfer across all subjects, raising the bar on the students’ intellectual engagement and problem-solving abilities. Through various curricular and extracurricular opportunities, they are encouraged to ask critical questions and seek innovative solutions.
9. Strong Sense of Community
   Community lives at the heart of all we do at Schechter. Through Parent Association-sponsored events like our opening Welcome Dinner and winter break roller skating, school programs like Friday morning ReLiSh gatherings, and meal deliveries, and cross-grade activities like our multi-age Shevet program, students build friendships across grades, families connect to one another, and all families feel at home.  
10. Facing History and Ourselves
    Schechter partners with Facing History and Ourselves, a renowned international organization committed to Holocaust education. The group trains teachers in how to present controversial issues to students in a way that promotes exploration, engagement & respectful dialogue.