Private School in New London, CT

Solomon Schechter Academy:
The Solomon Schechter Academy of New London, CT, is a coeducational pre-kindergarten through to grade 6 day school, offering a program of outstanding secular and Judaic studies to students in eastern CT and western Rhode Island.

With roots in the Jewish community and welcoming families of all religions and cultures, Solomon Schechter Academy (SSA) emphasizes the universal values of responsibility, scholarship, compassion, inclusiveness, and honesty. Our comprehensive secular curriculum‚ which includes language arts, math, science, social studies, music, art, and physical education‚ prepares our students for a lifetime of learning in a complex, multicultural world. Working in both single-age and multi-age groups, and supported by our dedicated teachers, our students experience the power of collaboration. Small classes allow us to address students' varied needs and learning styles. Parents are actively involved in all areas of school life. Doors are always open.

With a staff-to-student ratio of approximately 1:3, our program combines individual, small-group, and full-class instruction in a flexible and creative way. The children are vitally engaged in fulfilling their own intellectual promise and in defining their personal and cultural values. School unity and the importance of caring for fellow students are emphasized. There is focus on community, as evidenced by the student-created code of conduct for the school and by the caring that extends to the farthest reaches of our world.

Solomon Schechter Academy prepares our students for a lifetime of learning. We nurture in our children a positive cultural identity, healthy self-esteem, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and their world.

Teaching & Learning:
SSA is the educational choice for both Jewish and non-Jewish families seeking a stimulating, supportive, and joyful start for their children's formal schooling years. The program and facilities encourage intellectual development in a secure, individualized atmosphere, which fosters the child's natural curiosity and instills pride and confidence in his or her identity.

Our secular studies program offers opportunities to learn in a broad range of areas, including the core disciplines of reading, science, mathematics, language arts, and social science. Enrichment of these core disciplines is provided by regular instruction and participation in music, art, computer science, community service, and physical education.

Our Judaic curriculum includes Hebrew language, Jewish history, Jewish laws and customs, holiday observances, values and ethics, Torah, prayer, and the study of Israel. The beautiful traditions and observances of Judaism are incorporated into and related to the daily lives of our students. For example, when our students learn the mitzvah of visiting the sick, they may practice it by going to nursing homes or local hospitals. Similarly, they are encouraged to practice the mitzvah of regularly giving tzedakah. Our students actively participate in deciding how tzedakah will be distributed.

Each school year, our curriculum is enhanced by two visiting emissaries. The emissaries are native Israeli, young men and women who choose to delay their military service in Israel for one year to come to the U.S. to perform volunteer educational support services at SSA. The positive perspective and unique experiences that these volunteers bring to our students is highly valued.

- Pre-Kindergarten
- Kindegarten & Grade 1
- Grade 2 & Grade 3
- Grade 4 & Grade 5
- Grade 6

The school recognizes and responds to children's individual learning styles and needs by increasing the level of challenge for advanced learners and providing enhanced development opportunities, as appropriate. We offer creative uses of available school and community resources to provide a learning environment that is academically productive and emotionally supportive for each student's needs.

At SSA we recognize that a partnership with parents is essential to educating children. We therefore promote open communication with families to encourage continued learning, involvement with school activities and participation in school governance.

Parents generously volunteer their time, talents and energy to help develop and run special science programs, visit classrooms to share their expertise in a subject, and organize school community social events. Parents also coordinate Friday challah and school lunch programs, and chaperone field trips.