Do you have more questions about Jewish day school education?
Day schools offer children a balanced education in both Jewish and general studies within a nurturing environment that fosters a strong sense of community and Jewish identity. These private elementary, middle, and high schools are supported by Jewish communities and represent the rich diversity of the Jewish experience, with over 700 day schools across North America.
As a Day School, Mazel is different from most Yeshiva schools in several key ways. At Mazel, boys and girls learn together in co-ed classrooms, whereas Yeshivas typically enroll either all boys or all girls.
Mazel Day School is also open to all Jewish children, regardless of their level of religious observance. Children are taught that Jewish identity is meaningful for all Jews, with the understanding that “different families observe in different ways.”
Another distinction is the balance of the curriculum – general studies make up 60-70% of the school day, compared to 50% in most Yeshivas, allowing for a strong focus on subjects like math, science, reading, writing, and social studies.
Charter schools are public schools in the United States funded by the state. They operate with greater flexibility than traditional public schools, as they are freed from certain rules and regulations in exchange for accountability in meeting specific performance goals outlined in their charter. Some charter schools focus on specialized curricula, such as arts or mathematics. Hebrew charter schools emphasize Hebrew language and culture.
In contrast, Jewish day schools are privately funded, independent schools that combine general education with Judaic studies. Unlike public charter schools, Jewish day schools can teach Jewish observances, incorporate Jewish texts into the curriculum, and instill Jewish values throughout the educational experience.
All Judaic studies at Mazel Day School are rooted in traditional Orthodox Judaism. However, our students come from observant, non-observant, and non-affiliated homes. We present Judaism as vibrant, relevant, and meaningful – welcoming every Jew, regardless of their level of affiliation or practice. At Mazel, our philosophy is simple: labels are for clothes, not people.
This may have been true in the early years of Jewish day schools, but they have since expanded to serve families across all communities. Over time, more parents have come to recognize the excellent education and strong connection to Jewish identity that day schools provide. Today, they are seen as one of the most important ways to ensure Jewish continuity, supported by both communities and philanthropists alike.
Mazel Day School students come from homes with a wide range of levels of religious observance – from fully observant to traditional to non-observant. However, all families are united in their common desire to instill a strong sense of Jewish pride and identity in their children and a true love for their fellow Jews regardless of religious background.
At school, the children are taught to feel confident and respectful of the lifestyle choices made by their own individual families, as well as those made by the families of their peers. Teachers help children understand that “different families observe Judaism differently” and that every Jewish family is unique and special. With this approach, we encourage parents to discuss these issues openly with their children. We’ve found that as long as parents respond to their children’s questions in an honest, straightforward, and open way, potential conflicts are easily avoided.
For example, if a child asks, “Why don’t we observe Shabbat like my friend’s family?” or “Why does Daddy only wear a kippah at synagogue?” parents can talk about the fact that “different families do different things” or that “this is what we do in our family.” They can also choose to explain that “every Mitzvah that we do is valuable, and right now, in our family (or in your friend’s family), these are the Mitzvot that we (or they) are working hard to keep” or “When you’re older, you’ll be able to decide what feels right for you.” This is similar to how parents might handle questions about family rules, like bedtimes or new toys. Children understand that parents make decisions for the family.
We encourage parents to reach out for support if a child expresses confusion about why their family may or may not observe a particular practice. Our experience as a Jewish day school with children from many different types of homes can be invaluable in helping families successfully address any such concerns in a positive and meaningful way.
If parents have any questions about religious observance in general or how to discuss these issues with their children, they are encouraged to reach out to one of our staff Rabbis or Principals.
Our students grow into refined, compassionate, open-minded, and well-rounded young adults with a broad perspective on the world. At Mazel Day School, character development is just as important as academic excellence. Our students learn not only how to excel in their studies but also how to be kind friends and thoughtful individuals.
Through community service projects, they develop a strong sense of responsibility for the world around them – both within the Jewish community and beyond. Our curriculum introduces them to diverse cultures and practices, alongside the principles of citizenship and American pride. They graduate as globally conscious, optimistic, and confident individuals, ready to contribute meaningfully to the wider community.
Day schools offer what is known as a “dual curriculum,” offering traditional school subjects like math, English, and social studies as well as Judaic subjects, like Tanakh, Jewish history, and Hebrew. This pedagogic model offers close personal attention, encourages critical thinking, and creates “habits of mind” that prepare students well for future studies. In this way, day school education enables children to make full use of their time, all the while experiencing the “best of both worlds.”
Many parents new to day schools have this question. Several factors enable our students to meet and often exceed state curriculum standards. Success depends on how time is used, not just how much time is available. Our school days are slightly longer than most, running from 8:45 AM to 4:15 PM, and our class sizes are small, with no more than 18 students per class. This allows teachers to personalize instruction, ensuring that each child progresses effectively.
Our curriculum is rigorous and carefully designed so that student learning time is maximized. Students gain the advantage of learning a second – and often a third – language from kindergarten, along with exposure to diverse cultures and advanced text analysis. Studies show that a dual curriculum fosters critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to apply knowledge across disciplines. The results speak for themselves: our students consistently excel and achieve well-rounded academic success.
Jewish day schools – spanning elementary, middle, and high school – provide a rigorous curriculum that equips students for success in college and beyond. Nearly all graduates of liberal or modern Orthodox day schools go on to attend secular colleges and universities, with many gaining admission to prestigious public and private institutions at disproportionately high rates. For example, in a study of 60 Detroit-area high school valedictorians, 23 were graduates of Jewish elementary or middle schools.
Beyond academics, Jewish day schools foster a strong peer community that supports a positive and knowledgeable Jewish identity. Studies show that 79% of Jewish day school graduates marry Jews, and 72% send their own children to day schools. This education instills a deep level of Jewish literacy, enabling students to make life decisions rooted in Jewish values, traditions, and culture. At a recent gathering of student leaders at Northwestern University’s Hillel, 70% reported having attended a Jewish day school, highlighting the meaningful role these schools play in shaping engaged and confident young adults.
MDS is registered with the NYS Department of Education, ensuring our academic program meets rigorous standards. Our students participate in nationally recognized testing programs, which allows us to regularly evaluate and refine our curriculum while ensuring alignment with National Common Core Standards. Mazel was named 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for academic excellence.
If a student needs to transfer to another public or private school, whether in New York or another state, the results of the standardized assessments used at Mazel are recognized across the country. Additionally, our teachers use a variety of formal and informal school-based assessments to monitor student progress and support individual growth.
Like other Jewish community organizations, day schools rely on several sources of financial support:
Day schools also generate additional support through their own fundraising efforts. These campaigns fund annual budgets, scholarships, capital expenses, and endowments. Parents, grandparents, and alumni are natural contributors, while many donors without direct ties to the school support its mission, recognizing the vital role day schools play in fostering Jewish continuity.