What kind of school is JCDS?
JCDS is an independent, pluralist, co-educational Jewish day school serving children in Kindergarten through grade 8 from many different cities and towns in the Boston area. JCDS families span a wide spectrum of Jewish beliefs and practices. We have Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, post-denominational, unaffiliated, and secular families. The curriculum and school culture respectfully allow for personal lifestyle decisions of families.

What are the hallmarks of the school?
1. The school has a child-centered program that values the different learning styles of its students and that encourages critical thinking and creativity through the arts and music.
2. Our students come from families representing a wide range of beliefs and practices within Judaism.
3. Hebrew and English are used throughout the day, as languages of instruction and communication. Children learn to function well in both languages and develop a strong cultural connection with Israel as well as America.

What else is compelling about the program?
1. We promote joyful, passionate learning among our students and teachers, and we strive for academic excellence through the use of innovative teaching strategies and curriculum.
2. We have a rich integrated curriculum that prepares knowledgeable, caring and committed Jews who are able to engage in meaningful study of Hebrew sources.
3. Music, the visual arts, and the performing arts are integral parts of the curriculum and of the life of the school.
4. Our school program and classroom structures facilitate respect for individual differences among students and promote a cooperative spirit. We offer mulit-age experiences throughout the school, and some classes span two traditional grade levels.
5. JCDS is a welcoming community that respects and cherishes diversity.
6. There are many opportunities for parent and community involvement.

What are the school’s hours?
JCDS begins at 8:00 am daily. Dismissal for Kindergarten through Grade 4 is at 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday and at 2:00 pm on Fridays. Middle School classes are dismissed at 3:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, at 4:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at 2:00 pm on Fridays.
There is an After-School Program which operates until 6 p.m. daily, with earlier closings on Fridays. For the convenience of parents and carpools with students who have different dismissal times, special arrangements can be made for the time to be spent in the After-School Program.

How much is tuition?
For the 2009-2010 school year, tuition is as follows:
Kindergarten $19,700 per student
Lower School $21,000 per student (Grades 1-4)
Middle School $22,300 per student (Grades 5-8)

There are no additional activity or materials charges except for the annual Middle School overnight trip (approximately $500).

Our tuition reflects the School’s commitment to:
* The pursuit of excellence in child-centered education — with a wide range of new curricular resources, a compensation package to attract and retain high-quality faculty, and ongoing professional development opportunities for staff.
* Diversity of our community along multiple dimensions — with the JCDS Flexible Tuition Program supporting the financial diversity that truly enables us to be a community school.
* Fiscal responsibility — with tuition offsetting a large portion of the cost of delivering an excellent JCDS education. Grants and donations from foundations and individuals cover the balance of our expenses.

What do you offer in the After-School Program?
The JCDS After School Program provides a safe, nurturing environment for students, with a balance of staff-guided and student-initiated activities. It runs until 6:00 pm four days a week (Monday through Thursday), and until adjusted times on Friday. 2009/2010 fees for the JCDS After School Program are as follows: $4060 for full-time participation for the year; $3745 for four days/week; $3120 for three days a week; $2390 for two days a week; $1250 for one day a week. Students can enroll in “huggim” – special interest clubs – whether or not they enroll in the After School Program. There are fees for these clubs – currently around $150 per trimester session. Examples include Arts and Crafts, Chess, Cooking, “Mad Science”, Martial Arts, Speech Team, and Sports.

What can I do if I’d like to send my child/ren to JCDS but am unable to pay the full tuition?
Flexible tuition amounts are determined by the Flexible Tuition Committee using guidelines issued by the nationally-recognized School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), based in Princeton, NJ. If you would like to request Flexible Tuition information please fill out the form that is located with the application materials. If you have any questions about the form or the procedure, contact Ed Black, the liaison to the Flexible Tuition Committee, at 617-972-1733 x212, or email flextuition@jcdsboston.org.

How do I get more information and an application for enrollment?
Contact Helen Quint, Director of Admissions and Community Outreach, at 617-972-1733 (extension 205) to schedule a visit to see the school in action! To receive printed material about the school, please call Helen or e-mail her at helenq@jcdsboston.org.

JCDS admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin.