Shalhevet School is the only Modern Orthodox, Co-Educational Early Childhood through 12th Grade Day School in Los Angeles. At Shalhevet, we strive to give our students the gifts of knowledge, Jewish spirituality, and moral values by which to live. Shalhevet School was founded on Harvard Professor Lawrence Kohlberg’s principles of moral character and ethical development. The Shalhevet ECC lays the foundation for this learning. We believe an outstanding education teaches the whole child by emphasizing social and emotional development as well as academic skill development. We believe this approach will positively impact how a child conducts himself/herself in the future, when faced with the real world and all of its challenges. We infuse moral and ethical teaching into our daily lesson plans through modeling behaviors, exploring age appropriate dilemmas and giving children the tools they need to effectively problem solve, self advocate, work cooperatively with others and ask for help. We strive to develop confidence and self esteem, as these attributes lay the foundation for a child’s strong and positive self identity and genuine love for learning.
The Shalhevet Early Childhood Center is developmental in its approach to education. Our goal is to develop children emotionally, physically as well as intellectually. We do this by exposing even our youngest children to the alphabet, colors, body parts, weekly Torah portion, Jewish holidays, Shabbat, self help skills and other age appropriate subject matter. In Kindergarten and Pre-1, our General Studies and Judaic Studies Curriculum challenge children while making learning fun, meaningful, relevant, and hands on. We constantly thrive to incorporate new teaching methodologies, including computers, in the learning process. Our program incorporates the best from the various math, reading handwriting, and writing programs, to create a unique curriculum that allows for differentiated learning. For example, we incorporate occupational based play, games and tools into our curriculum to help facilitate the acquisition of strong fine motor skills.
At the ECC we strive to provide students with a high quality program. Our program:
Provides a loving and friendly atmosphere that makes children feel physically and emotionally safe at school;
Focuses on building positive and supportive relationships between children and their teachers;
Is led by Heads of School, Directors and Staff who take ownership and pride in the program and are committed to its success and the children’s success;
Insists on professional development for its staff;
Provides activities designed and proven to support key developmental learning and skill building experiences for the children;
Provides academic support and achievement in General Studies, Hebrew language, and Judaic Studies;
Believes that a strong home-school partnership, with and respectful lines of communication is necessary in the joint raising of our children;
Recognizes each child as an individual and strives to enrich those things which make each child unique and special;
Emphasizes menschlichkeit and ethical character development;
Instills a love for Judaism
“The years between two and seven seem to be crucial in how children deal with mysteries. Within these years, they form beliefs, biases, artistry, curiosity, and a sense of self that carries them forward into adulthood. If allowed and encouraged, all children can remain active and curious philosophers and scientists throughout their lives.” (Latham, G. “Fostering and Preserving Wonderment.” Austrailian Journal of Early Childhood. Collected Titles on Early Childhood, 1977).
Wishing us all inspired days, frequent “a-ha” moments, and a lifetime of curiosity and wonderment,