Q: Is the school too religious for my son or daughter?
A: First and foremost we are a community school. Our school is unaffiliated with any movement – we serve all Jewish families. We have families/students who consider themselves to be Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, Orthodox, Chabad, Israeli as well as unaffiliated. The student population is a nice mix of all levels of observances.

Q: My child is gifted and extremely advanced, how can JDS challenge him or her?
A: The dual curriculum offered at the JDS is a real benefit for students who are able to achieve at a high level. The teachers utilize differentiation of instruction, which enables each student to be challenged at the appropriate level. If a student qualifies, there are opportunities for enrichment through two special programs the school offers called Quest and Challenge.

Q: My child has some learning or developmental issues; does JDS offer services for this?
A: The JDS has a full time resource teacher who is a certified special education expert. The school also offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, guidance, psychological services and remedial help through our local Intermediate Unit.

Q: Does the school provide transportation or busing?
A: If you live in a school district that is within 10 miles of the JDS, your home school district provides transportation free of charge (for K and up).

Students in PK are not allowed to ride the bus to or from school, as they are too young. They can only ride the bus for field trips when properly supervised by the teachers and chaperones.

JDS has students in the following districts and they receive transportation: (just a sample)

• Parkland
• Allentown
• East Penn
• Southern Lehigh
• Salisbury
• Bethlehem
• Saucon Valley
• Northampton
• Whitehall

Q: We don’t speak Hebrew at home, how will I be able to assist my child with homework? (I can’t read, write, or speak Hebrew.)
A: The majority of our families do not speak Hebrew at home. In the lower grades (PK and K) students are just learning basic words. The small amount of homework that is sent home for Hebrew class is a review of what was already done in class. It is merely reinforcement and can be done by students alone. Students who come to JDS in older grades and who have not been exposed to Hebrew receive resource assistance.

Q: I am concerned that my child cannot handle a second language.
A: Research indicates that the earlier a child can learn a second language the better.

• Exposing children to a second language at a very young age is considered best practice.
• Skills that children learn in English or in Hebrew are easily transferred to the other language. Scaffolding occurs. Our middle school students who have elected to take Spanish as a third language are excelling at a very high level because of their ease with dealing with another language.
• We have had students enter JDS in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, & 7th grades with little or no Hebrew background. All of those students are thriving in the school. We provide the support that is needed.
• Israelis from the Bat Ami program in Israel are an excellent support system for our students who have had challenges with Hebrew. The support is available!

Q: Are the children at JDS all Jewish? Do you have to be Jewish? Do both spouses need to be Jewish?
A: One parent must be Jewish and the children must be raised Jewish. If a parent has converted, the child is accepted.