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OUR STORY

הסיפור שלנו


PLURALISM: WHAT IT IS & WHY IT MATTERSOUR STORYOUR CAMPUS


Sparked by an inspiring vision, a small group of dedicated parents came together to plan for a new kind of Jewish day school. The hallmarks of this school would be pluralism, both of observance and worldview, small size, academic innovation, reflective teachers and an engaged community that would nurture each child individually. In this joyful and dual-language environment, each child's flame would be kindled.

Thanks to generous philanthropy and wise leadership, the first pluralistic day school in the Boston area opened in 1995 with four teachers, two administrators, seven trustees and 11 students in two multi-age classes spanning kindergarten through fifth grade.


We were determined to create the education we sought for our own children. We changed the Jewish day school landscape. With English and Hebrew as part of everyday learning and the warmth and acceptance of a pluralist family community, we built something that has become a beacon for progressive day schools around the nation.

Arnee Winshall, founding Chair of the Board


Through the years, nurtured by parent involvement and the substantial support of the community, the JCDS student body grew steadily, reaching the current enrollment of around 200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.


The founding principle, "A child is not a vessel to be filled but a flame to be kindled," truly spoke to us. We came to JCDS with a deep sense of commitment. We weren't the pioneers - maybe you could call us the settlers. It was the best decision we could have made for our three children and for us as a family. JCDS is a part of who we are.

Catharyn Gildesgame, Alumni Parent and Past Board Chair


From its first home in The First Unitarian Society in Newton, JCDS moved in 2003 to its current five-acre site on Stanley Avenue in Watertown, a convenient location that draws families from Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton and numerous surrounding communities.

In 2008, a generous group of benefactors came together to fund the purchase of the site. The school is forever grateful for the wisdom and dedication of the many individuals and families who made this possible. Growing from a concept, to a room, to a building, JCDS looks ahead to the development of a modern campus that reflects the highest ideals of the school's educational model.


Supporting JCDS is meaningful in so many ways. It's important for us to strengthen the school for other families. If I think about investing in the children who will become the world's Jewish leaders of tomorrow, this is where I want them to be educated.

Claudia Davidoff, Trustee


The recipient of many awards and grants for innovation in the realm of the teaching of Hebrew and pluralism, JCDS has been selected to pilot many new programs focused on student learning and professional development; staff and lay leadership are often invited to present at such conferences as the Jewish Day school national conference. JCDS has earned an international reputation as a role model for best practices and cutting-edge pluralistic Jewish day school education.

Learn more about the JCDS story by taking a tour or attending an event.

Come be part of our next chapter. Welcome to JCDS!