Our Academic Programs
At Philadelphia Hebrew Day School, we offer dual academic programs in kodesh and secular studies for our Kindergarten students. In the 2024-2025 school year, we will open our first 1st grade class, and we will continue to add a grade each year.
Our curricula are designed to provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for success in high school and beyond. We offer evidence-based programs that give our talented teachers the framework in which to unleash our students' potentials, including science of reading literacy instruction, STEM, Singapore math, phonics-based kriah, interactive parsha, meaningful tefillah, music and movement, with social emotional learning integrated into every aspect of our program.
Ani Tefillah
Ani Tefillah’s multi-faceted program inculcates in our precious children a close, meaningful, and deeply satisfying connection to Hashem through the Stop, Think and Feel approach. Our goal is to empower students to be mindful of Hashem’s presence and feel a connection to Him by expressing their personal thoughts, requests, and feelings through tefillah.
Fundations
Fundations® utilizes a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to make learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy. The program’s research-based approach and extensive materials allow K–3 teachers to confidently present a carefully structured reading, spelling, and handwriting curriculum using engaging, multisensory techniques.
Kriability
Our students master kriah through a multi-sensory approach. The phonics-based Kriability program offers many techniques and tools to ensure that every child successfully learns to read Hebrew. The systematic instruction of this program introduces, practices and reviews Ivrit rules explicitly and intuitively, paving the way for student success.
Units
Our children learn social studies, history, science and more about the world around them through unit studies. Units allow children to grasp a deep understanding of worldly concepts through the use of reading, writing, hands-on exploration and creative exercises. These subjects are multi-faceted, and the intersection of study across disciplines allows our students to understand the pieces of the whole as they fit together.
Parsha
The goal of our parsha curriculum is to create a lifelong love of Torah through an-in depth knowledge of each parsha. We bring the parsha to life each week with drawings, re-enactments, and an exciting and educational craft. The children also take home parsha questions every Friday, which are great for keeping them focused and involved at the Shabbos meal.
Math in Focus: Singapore Math
Our math program is designed to help students develop strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Leveraging global best practices and a consistent K–8 pedagogical approach, Math in Focus empowers students to develop the critical-thinking skills, positive attitude, and confidence needed for achievement. This curriculum framework recognizes problem-solving skills as central to learning, and it helps progress the students' understanding from concrete, to pictorial, to abstract in order to gain mastery.