The High School Experience

Imbued with the spirit of Derekh Eretz/Ethical Behavior, Ahrayut/Responsibility, K’hillah/Community, the CESJDS high school community has a long and proud tradition of academic excellence and student engagement. We are committed to developing confident, compassionate thinkers who engage the world through Jewish values.  Our school’s eight core values serve as the foundational blocks of a CESJDS high school education.  

Supported by a dedicated faculty and staff who serve as mentors and guides, students are provided with multiple venues to explore and find their passions. Whether in the classroom, at Kab Shab, in the STEM Lab, on the athletic field, on the theater stage, on a Shabbaton, or in one of the 50+ student-created clubs, students are encouraged to take risks and to embrace the multiple leadership opportunities afforded them.  

Derekh Eretz/Ethical Behavior

Character counts. CESJDS students act with decency and integrity in dealings with others and in their academic work. They engage responsibly, ethically and compassionately with all members of the community and hold themselves accountable for their actions and words.

Ahrayut/Responsibility

Ozrim/Z'man Kodesh Fellows, STEM Fellows, Health & Wellness Fellows, Student-Athlete Leadership Committee, and Social Entrepreneurship Fellows are all formal leadership programs where students learn to lead, inspire and bring out the best in others.  Beyond these formal programs, students lead as publication editors, athletic team captains, set directors, student government officers, club presidents, Kabbalat Shabbat emcees, and more. 

K’hillah/Community

Advisory provides a unique learning space where students gain the skills to be productive, active citizens at our school and in the broader communities, and to practice important skills needed to be successful high school students. Consisting of 8-10 students and led by a trusted faculty member who serves as a valuable resource and support for the group, advisory meets twice a week throughout the entire school year.

Student Engagement

Kab Shab, the highlight of our week, features student emcees, divrei Torah, musical and other performances, and an opportunity to honor individual and collective talents and accomplishments. Daily community time offers students a plethora of opportunities to engage with over 50 student created and student led clubs. 

Academic Excellence

Our rigorous dual-curriculum includes a balance of general and Judaic studies, that promotes critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, independence, resilience, compassion, collaboration, as well as discipline-specific skills. Students have many opportunities to self-direct their learning, including course choice and determination of levels most appropriate to their learning. CESJDS offers a high level curriculum that extends beyond AP, emphasizing personal academic discovery, creativity, and a deep exploration of course material.

Foster Curiosity

Students are encouraged to ask questions, and often find themselves answering a question with more questions as they push deeper in their research and exploration of the material before them and the world around them. After all, Jewish tradition teaches us that questions teach us more than answers.

Unique CESJDS Experiences

Irene and Daniel Simpkins Senior Capstone Trip

CESJDS seniors graduate in February and most elect to participate in a 13 week adventure to Israel and Eastern Europe where they spend the semester living, learning, exploring and celebrating together. Students travel the length and breadth of Israel, exploring the country’s history and culture through a program of study, volunteer work, and outdoor activities. During their experience abroad they also travel to Poland and the Czech Republic, exploring the history of Eastern European Jewry and the Holocaust, and the revival of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe post-Holocaust. This semester-long program provides an invaluable opportunity for independent living, social and emotional maturation, and experiential education. 

Shabbatonim
 

Grade Shabbatonim, weekend retreats celebrating Shabbat, are a hallmark of the CESJDS High School experience.  Each grade attends a Shabbaton annually that is dedicated to grade-bonding, observance of Jewish ritual and personal learning and exploration.  Students forge connections with one another and with their Jewish identities while relaxing and rejuvenating in the beauty of nature where they hike, learn, pray and play together.

JDS gave our daughter the values, education and life skills to thrive in college not only academically, but to build a strong Jewish community for herself, and to dedicate herself to volunteer and lead in many aspects of campus life. -Rabbi Irving and Fran Elson, Parents to Abby Elson ‘19

Explore Our High School Classrooms