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SUCCESS & GROWTH SAN DIEGO JEWISH ACADEMY 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR UNDERWAY
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he San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA), a pluralistic community K-12 school with a thriving early childhood center, highlighted the successful start of the 2021-2022 school year and the milestones the school will celebrate this year, including a new 350-seat performing arts center expected to open in early 2022 and a continued focus on wellness to ensure the health and safety of students and staff as the school continues to focus on in-person learning experiences. “SDJA is extremely proud of our community, families, students and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring a worldclass, in-person education safely to our students,” said Head of School Zvi Weiss. “We are excitedly anticipating our new Performing Arts Center, which will further enhance the arts program and give students more opportunities for personal growth and creativity. We also continue to plan the new physical space for our Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking (CIET), building on the dynamic learning opportunities the CIET already offers our students in all classes.” Expected to open in early 2022, work is almost finished on SDJA’s 350-seat state of 22
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2021
the art Performing Arts Auditorium. This problem solving. center will not only be used for student SDJA’s student body also grew by 150 productions throughout the year, but will new students this year, based not only on also add to SDJA’s co-curricular offerings the school’s steadfast commitment to a as students from all grades explore their high-quality education, safety, and wellness, interests and try various new programs. but also because of its Open Door tuition SDJA continues to view every program, reduction program that makes an SDJA class, or activity through a wellness lens so education accessible to more students. The that we help our students and offer the social Open Door program continues in 2022/2023 and emotional support they need to thrive. to reduce the cost of an SDJA education by SDJA builds a strong emotional foundation at least $10,000 for incoming K and 9th in students, premised on personal value and graders, and keeps that reduced tuition cost strong self-esteem. Beyond personal wellness, stable for 4 years. SDJA focuses on the wellness of our planet “Our Open Door program has enabled us with a focus on sustainability. The school’s to welcome so many new wonderful families communal garden serves as a dynamic and students into our community,” adds learning environment for both aspects of the Weiss. “At the same time, we still provide Wellness Initiative. the personalized learning opportunities and SDJA students excel in an environment teacher attention that enable each student to that emphasizes personalized learning. thrive and pursue their interests.” In particular, new investments in Math education in the Upper School are leading to TO LEARN MORE, VISIT SDJA.COM. high levels of achievement. Anchored with new teaching methods that emphasize both conceptual understanding and academic skill development like collaboration study habits, the SDJA math program aims to instill in our students a deep acquisition of math fluency through critical thinking and creative
