Established in 1992, CJDS enrolls nearly 150 students, from birth through fifth grade under the guidance and instruction of 50 faculty and staff members.
CJDS is accredited by the South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA), the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Program for Infant and Toddler Care (SCPITC).
The Four Pillars of CJDS
At Cutler Jewish Day School, we are committed to living the timeless values that Judaism emphasizes. Our school values the following educational priorities.
Academic rigor with an emphasis on inquiry
We believe that young children construct knowledge by actively engaging with the physical environment. Children learn through experimenting with objects, asking questions, sharing ideas, and creating their own knowledge base. Our teachers using lesson plans, assessing the children, reflecting back to plans based on assessments, create a learning environment where each child can learn and grow.
Active Nurturing
The care we provide for each student has been the centerpiece of our school since its inception. However, active nurturing is more than love and care for each child. Active nurturing includes respect shown to each family as we work as a team. Active nurturing is also recognized by our persistence in tailoring our curriculum to meet each student’s individual learning style. We are committed to maximizing his/her cognitive, spiritual, and social emotional development.
Praxis/Social Justice
Praxis means the translating of an idea into practical action. This ideal spans from having children doing acts of kindness to having children work on root issues of injustice. We strive to have children recognize that all areas of academic pursuit can provide opportunities for making the world a more G-dly place. Facilitating the children’s recognition of these opportunities affords the highest goals of learning.
Jewish Life Skills
The Judaic curriculum is focused on developing children who are skilled and committed to live Jewishly. This means;
- In preschool Hebrew phrases are used, and in elementary school speaking, reading and writing Ivrit (Hebrew) is focused upon. We also strive for a lasting connection with the land and people of Israel.
- Study of the Torah from the text with the commentaries, together with a thorough general knowledge of the history and culture that continues to shape our identities as Jews.
- An understanding of the holidays, customs and heritage of Judaism taught through a hands-on daily, joyful celebration and practice of the Mitzvot.
It is through our faith and cultural heritage that we define the focus of our educational approach. The love for children and families, the emphasis on academic rigor, and the need to be involved with issues of social justice make our school special.
