MOVE FORWARD
WITH JDS
Begin the Enrollment Process
1. Schedule a tour.
Schedule an in-person or virtual tour by emailing our Director of Recruitment and Engagement, Beth Kushnick, at bkushnick@jdslv.org.
2. Read the new family letter.
Read the New Family Letter, which includes enrollment process information and tuition details, download and fill out required forms, and review other important information needed to apply.
3. Submit your paperwork.
Download and fill out our enrollment contract and Family Information Form, and then email it to Sara Schonbach at sschonbach@jdslv.org or drop it off during your tour.
NEXT STEPS
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All students entering the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley are formally assessed.
Pre-Kindergarten applicants are screened to determine if the child is developmentally ready for our program.
Applicants in kindergarten through grade 8 are also screened to determine ability level and placement as well as appropriateness of fit between school and student.
Parents will be contacted by the Director of Admissions, Sara Schonbach, to discuss the results of the assessment and to answer any questions. -
Student records are an important part of the admissions process. We request that families provide a copy of all official school records for the student applicant.
Official records include:
Official transcripts of grades/scholastic records
Standardized test records
Immunization / Health and Dental forms
Personal health records
Attendance records
Discipline records
Psychological records and IEP (if applicable)
Teacher narratives or recommendations
Other available school records
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When a student applicant has completed all of the above steps in the admission process, the Head of School and Director of Admissions will meet to determine the acceptance of the student. At that time, families are contacted regarding the acceptance of the student. Students not accepted will be contacted with a letter of explanation or an in-person meeting will be arranged.
The JDS is an important epicenter of community within the Lehigh Valley. We provide a rigorous secular education that helps our students become compassionate leaders of tomorrow and celebrate not only joyful Judaism but also crucial tenets including giving back to our community, tzedakah (charity), tikkun olam (repairing the world), and chesed (kindness).
Our students regularly participate in community-wide activities and service projects that benefit the wider community, as they know they are responsible for improving the world around them.
Continuous
Enrollment
JDS utilizes the Continuous Enrollment model, which automatically re-enrolls each child for each school year.
Every year, we will notify families of potential increases in tuition, and the deadline for families to inform the JDS if they will not be returning the following year. Unless we hear from parents in writing, students will automatically be re-enrolled, and their spot secured for the following school year.
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Simplicity. Peace of mind. With continuous enrollment, parents will be securing a seat for their children until graduation or until they tell us they will not return. The Enrollment Contract will be in effect until their child graduates. An ease in the application process using a new streamlined online enrollment process, alleviating paperwork and a need to remember deadlines.
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The JDS leadership does a lot of planning to ensure that we are prepared to fulfill our commitment to our students every year. Until our families “sign on the line” that they are returning each year, we can’t make solid plans for staffing, programming, materials, curriculum, etc. Planning ahead is golden, and because our faculty is the best, they deserve the best. If we know how to plan for next year, we can guarantee employment, retain wonderful faculty, and guarantee the level of excellence you have come to expect from the JDS. Continuous Enrollment will allow us to plan earlier and better steward tuition dollars entrusted to us every year.
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Each January, JDS families will be informed of the tuition for the coming year and reminded of the opt-out deadline. The conditions under which opt-out is available will also be included. The Opt Out deadline is April 1, 2025 - the Head of School and the Director of Admissions must be notified in writing if their child will not be returning to the JDS. The Flexible Tuition deadline is March 15, 2025.
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JDS recognizes that family plans change. These unique circumstances that may cause a family to withdraw after May 15th will be exempt from the Cancellation Policy stated below:
Moving/Relocation 25+ miles away from JDS.
Educational needs for the student that can no longer be met at JDS.
Other unforeseen circumstances that the Administration and Board approve.
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I/we understand that no refund or cancellation of the yearly tuition, charges or fees will be made by the School for absence, withdrawal, cancellation of enrollment or dismissal of the Student before the end of the school year and thus, I/we agree to assume full responsibility for all amounts due and owing under this Agreement including tuition, fees, charges and if applicable, interest. No portion of such amounts, whether paid or outstanding, will be refunded or canceled regardless of the subsequent absence, withdrawal, or cancellation of enrollment or dismissal of the Student.
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Pending space available in the specific classroom, students will be accepted for re-enrollment and pay a fee of $1,000.
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Re-enrollment will be finalized after a family has worked out their flexible tuition plan. Families opting to participate in the Flexible Tuition Program will submit financial material through FACTS by March 15th, complete a tuition assessment, and then they will have one week to accept their awards. The JDS has created the schedule to ensure that families have full tuition information before accepting the award for the school year.
Our school serves students from all types of families and socio-economic backgrounds. We are a diverse and caring community, where every student has a special place. We’d love to learn about your unique child.
WHERE WE
STAND OUT
Holistic Educational Approach
Our experiential curriculum and individualized approach to education create a strong sense of self and community where character development and civic responsibility are as important to our education as the textbooks we use. The ultimate result is happy, confident, discerning, involved contributors to the Jewish community and greater society.
Small Class Sizes
By having small class sizes and grouping students by abilities, we provide individualized attention so that no child slips through the cracks. Students are engaged, challenged and never bored. Small class sizes also help students build confidence, problem solve and develop a passion and excitement for learning.
Individualized Learning
We believe one size does not fit all. Our teachers are regularly monitoring student performance to identify and highlight individual strengths and areas of improvement. Our individualized programs promote an encouraging, compassionate learning environment, enthusiasm, and an eagerness to learn.