What makes us so different? We integrate language arts into every grade’s science curriculum, giving students an opportunity to practice non-fiction reading and research then apply those skills to other subjects as well. They gather facts and constantly ask complex questions – of themselves and one another – in every class, from robotics to math.

Our kids work like real scientists, hypothesizing and interpreting data. They’re inquisitive and proactive, whether they’re dissecting a frogYes, we really do dissect frogs! And for anyone opposed, we offer a cloth model and virtual dissection. We likewise feature a unit that explores how the body and its functions operate, capped off by a public presentation in which aspiring scientists present and defend their theses. or successfully advocating to replace our school’s drinking fountains with earth-friendly, refillable water bottle stations. And they do more than just study astronomyWe have an incredible mobile planetarium which travels between campuses. Kids study stars, star patterns and constellation maps, along with stories – some dating back 3,000 years – from other cultures. Then they write their own stories about how constellations were born., climate change, food chains, biology and animal behavior. They learn to care about and for other lives.

We consider math to be its own language here at Perelman. And because our kids speak, reason and think in Hebrew, they see the language of math differently. They recognize patterns and roots. They can take apart word problems to find out what’s being asked. And they conquer the unknown without fear of failure.

Our kids raise their hands high and use their voices loudly to ask questions, find new ways to solve an equation or explain a strategic business plan for a new invention. It’s no wonder our students win high honors, including impressive recognition at the International Math Olympiad A Perelman fourth grader earned a perfect score in the Math Olympiad contest – placing him in the top .000017% out of 84,640 students from around the world who competed. competition and Pennsylvania Stock Market ChallengeAn all-girls team of Perelman students won the state-wide Stock Market competition for their division, with their projections yielding the highest ROI..

Our wonderful faculty – both General Studies and Learning/Reading Specialists – is trained at Columbia University to teach writing. Together, teachers analyze students’ work, collaborating on ways to enhance each child’s experience. Our highly acclaimed Writing Workshop program encourages students to embrace the joy, creativity and purpose of storytelling5 tips to get your kids to write at home1. Keep it fun: Use magnetic letters to build words and magnetic words to write poetry
2. Make it meaningful: Write a shopping list, thank you notes, reminders (special paper can also make these a big hit)
3. Send snail mail: We love to get real mail! Write to relatives and friends that you don’t get to see often
4. Treat the child as a real author: Encourage book making, then put these volumes on your shelves along with other books and add them to your bedtime read-aloud routine
5. Create comic books: Start with blank paper or find wordless comics online...your kids get to write the story.

Our kids are also voracious readersEvery year, our fourth and fifth graders always shine in the county-wide Reading Olympics. They also consistently outperform other schools in the Ronald McDonald House reading competition, recently raising $20,000 based on number of books read. (And we do it in English and Hebrew)., devouring folktales, poetry and non-fiction. Leveraging their rich knowledge of stories developed from studying Torah, they gain a broader comprehension of literature. They make astounding connections between Abraham and Agamemnon, Jefferson and Angelou.

Exploring Torah and TalmudDid you know? Perelman fourth graders learn to read Torah three years before they become bar or bat mitzvah. yields unmatched insight about secular subjects, from chemistry to music theory. Children learn to identify algorithms and recognize metaphors…follow logical arguments…look at a painting from the perspective of the artist. They soak up the speeches and writings of historical figures, stepping into others’ shoes with empathy and appreciation.

Hebrew provides a different way for kids to express themselves. From the first day of pre K and beyond, students are immersed in our dual-language curriculumIf you ask typical elementary students how many languages they know, they may say printed and cursive English and math notation. Perelman students add ancient and modern Hebrew to that skill set – plus cantillation, the unique notations used to chant from the Torah. which blends digital tools with conversation, storytelling, writing and games. Speaking two languages offers remarkable cognitive advantages – strengthening the part of the brain that controls executive functioning, like memory, task flexibility and problem solving. At the same time, they are passionately connected to Israel through hands-on, meaningful, immersive experiences and celebrations. The result? Our kids are confident, perceptive communicators – fearless, bold and ethical.

For our youngest students, it starts with baking. They learn about similarities and differences by making bread from other cultures, then reading about customs and celebrations. First and second graders are introduced to the theaters, markets, postal services and housing that enrich other communities. Older students experience the American Revolution, slavery, immigration, constitutional law and today’s electoral collegeOur hands-on mock elections feature stirring speeches, strategic campaigning, voter registration, persuasive essays and visits to the voting booth. through hands-on exploration and discovery.

Studying Talmud facilitates our kids’ abilities to question sophisticated concepts and construct their own ideas about modern-day issues. With unmatched intellect, they see diverse viewpoints and gain invaluable understanding of themselves and others.

We spark imaginations with the most advanced tools, including Bee-Bots^®Meet Beebot, Dash and Dot – three of the coolest members of our robot brigade, specially designed for kids K-2. We have more than 30 of them ready to help our students explore the power of coding. <br><img src='https://visitpjds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/beebot-4096410.png' alt='' width='100' height='100' /> , cute but clever robots that younger students can make move according to their directions; Scratch, an MIT-designed programming language that creates interactive games, stories and animation; and Osmo, algorithmic coding technology that facilitates computational, sequential thinking. But there’s also marbles, duct tape, yarn and cardboard, giving kids countless ways to engage.

Because design engineering begins with asking questions, Perelman students are uniquely prepared – bolstered by their ability to analyze and synthesize Torah and Talmud. Their acute sense of exploration and observation results in greater aptitude.

Our artists think conceptually, using a wide assortment of materials and tools and integrating elements of our core curriculum. They learn that it’s okay to make a mistake, that there is beauty in imperfection. Projects include kiln-fired ceramics, textiles, sculpting, portraiture, quilling and kinetic artAn agamograph is a series of images that changes when viewing it at different angles. This work is named after legendary Israeli sculptor Yaacov Agam (1928 - ). Our fourth graders work solo or in pairs to create original agamographs. .

Our musicians also uncover richer layers of meaning, both during and after school, through their study of composers, instruments, music theory and solfègeStudents learn to recognize music by ear starting in second grade with a method called “conversational solfège.” By fifth grade, they can read and write melody and rhythm notation in a variety of meters and tonalities.. Our program includes weekly classes, special performances, Israeli dance and choir. And our spectacular musical theater performances are not to be missed.

Meanwhile, on our playing fields and in our state-of-the-art gyms, our young athletesAccording to research from the CDC, Columbia University, the New York City Health Department and Department of Education and the Universities of Illinois, West Virginia and California, physical activity enhances concentration and attention, improves classroom behavior and leads to better grades and standardized test scores. learn valuable life lessons about determination, cooperation, communication and negotiation. So a Perelman kid comes to understand, “I may never beat LeBron James, but I can become my best version of me.” We offer PE twice a week – and over 100 students participate in afterschool intramural sports and track and field.

The roster of activities changes by the year – with students often taking charge of suggesting, organizing and managing new clubs. There is something for everyone, whether a child loves to cook, play chess, explore opera, participate in student government, sew,Our Tallit Club creates individually designed prayer shawls. Students select fabrics, sew, hand paint and finish their work. Our culminating event takes place during services where all children wear their original tallit as they are called to the Torah. report the news or read.

Social responsibility underscores our enrichment program – and every facet of our community. Our kids are driven to help others – understanding that it’s about doing and not just giving money toward a cause. And that’s why they become better people…opening doors for others, picking up trash, making sandwiches for the homeless and protecting endangered speciesStudents researched ways to help endangered species, then made a presentation to our administration for approval to hold a fundraising concert, bringing in over $1000 in donations. . Perelman kids learn that no matter how small they are, they can make a huge impact on the world.Our third graders completed an environmental assessment of our facilities which resulted in a successful schoolwide effort to eliminate plastics, improve air quality and introduce energy-efficient dishwashers.