Calgary Jewish Academy

Teaching Philosophy

Education is a core value of Judaism and references to this can be found throughout Jewish religious and scholarly texts. At the CJA, we strive to honour this value through an enriched Alberta curriculum while being inspired to learn about Jewish religion, heritage and culture. We endeavour to create a culture of Yiddishkeit . Our graduates are knowledgeable and compassionate citizens and leaders who are proud of their heritage and identity. The Calgary Jewish Academy curriculum is based on the following principles guided by our vision of engaging, empowering and educating our students: Age appropriate The program reflects the different learning needs of children at various stages of their development. Our program is designed to satisfy young children’s natural curiosity, the desire to be physically active and to learn through direct experience. Equally, we address teenagers’ needs for significant intellectual challenge, opportunities for leadership, and growing autonomy. Inclusive and differentiated All students are unique in their strengths, challenges, readiness for learning, and learning styles. Flexible program delivery and small class sizes allow each student to thrive in an inclusive, respectful environment. The GAIN (Gifted and Identified Needs) program provides support and opportunities for individual students to excel at their own level and strengths. Goal oriented Our quality academic dual curriculum outlines specific Topics, Activities and Skills as key learning areas for all grades. Having a plan for the success of our students is a cornerstone of our philosophy and ensures students’ readiness for the successive stages of their educational journey.