School Profile
School Profile
History of the School: Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School was established in 1963 as the first Jewish Day School in San Diego. It was founded by a group of visionaries whose goal was to provide superior Judaic and secular education to Jewish children in San Diego. The belief that a dual curricular program which focused on comprehensive Jewish studies in conjunction with superb secular education remains core to the mission of the school. The founders’ belief was that without comprehensive Judaic learning, Jewish identity and pride would not be carried forward from one generation to the next. At the time of the school’s founding, after-school Jewish studies programs were the norm, and national studies predicted the disappearance of American Jewry as a distinct demographic. In more recent years, emphasis on graduating Jewish communal leaders, able to communicate distinct perspectives and values, has come to the fore.
Founding Philosophy and Current Mission: San Diego Hebrew Day School's founding philosophy emphasizes the importance of Torah study in the formation of Jewish identity and pride, inspiring a deep sense of identity and Jewish values into students’ lives. San Diego Hebrew Day School also stresses the significance of partnering closely with parents, ensuring that each child is nurtured and actively engaged in learning and developing a strong Jewish identity. The school maintains these principles while adapting to the evolving world and the changing needs of its students.
The San Diego Hebrew Day School mission is to provide an intensive, excellent general studies curriculum alongside a classic, Judaic education based on Torah textual study, Hebrew language proficiency, character development, holiday celebrations, prayer, and rituals while inculcating a deep awareness of and appreciation for the history and importance of the land of Israel while promoting social-emotional wellbeing of every student.
Basic Facts:
The school offers a Preschool, Elementary School, and Middle School.
The school is centrally located in Kearny Mesa, San Diego County.
The school has 8 administrators, 30 faculty members in the Preschool, 24 in the Elementary School, and 12 in the Middle School.
The administrative team consists of the Head of School, Principal, Preschool Director, Assistant Preschool DIrector, Director of School Culture, School Administrator, Director of Business, Director of Judaic Studies, and Director of Development.
The school is proud of the diversity of Jewish families enrolled, diversity of family background and origin, religious outlook and affiliation, and socioeconomic difference.
The importance of social-emotional development in tandem with academic progress is a core belief, and is addressed throughout the program.
Given recent data on unusually high rates of adolescent depression, teen suicide, and anxiety impeding learning, wellness education for faculty, families, and students has been adopted.
Student and Faculty Demographics: The school boasts a diverse community with families and faculty coming from various countries, including Mexico, Israel, Canada, South Africa, Russia, South America, England, Morocco, Iran, and Turkey. The school's community encompasses a wide range of professions, backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses, united by a shared vision of raising young adults who will be confident in the value of Jewish ideas and ideals and show a kinship of concern with Jewish communities throughout the world.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors is composed of dedicated lay leader volunteers committed to the school's continuity, growth, expansion, and academic advancement. The current board is made up of 5 current parents and 8 non-parent members who meet at least seven times a year on a predetermined schedule of meetings. Prospective board members have typically served on at least one school committee. Directors serve two-year terms, and the successor Board is elected directly by the Board itself, with half of the members standing for election each year.
Financial Circumstances: The San Diego Hebrew Day School is an incorporated, not-for-profit independent corporation. The school primarily derives its funding from tuition and fees, supplemented by donations. It is affiliated with the Jewish Federation of San Diego County and the Jewish Community Foundation. The school is financially independent, with its budget and financial operations overseen by the Board of Directors.
Faculty: The faculty has a broad range of experience, with some members having over 30 years of teaching experience. Secular studies teachers are fully credentialed in their respective fields, and Judaic teachers have training in teaching Judaic subjects and Hebrew. All faculty members are committed to the school's mission and demonstrate care towards their students. Pedagogic emphasis is placed upon the teacher - student relationship being one of mutual respect, with teachers mindful of and committed to enhancing the whole child. A core belief is that when students feel safe and connected (belonging), they are most ready to grow.
Alumni/ae: The school has a database of approximately 800 alumni. Alumni maintain relationships with the school; many alumni are now parents of students at Hebrew Day - and some alumni are grandparents of students at the school. The school is proud of its graduates, who are prepared for high school, knowledgeable about Judaism, demonstrate respect for others and exhibit strong leadership skills. We are particularly proud that many graduates are campus leaders of Jewish organizations, and many spend a gap year of study in Israel.
Distinctive Features: Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School is the only independent, preschool - Grade 8 Orthodox Jewish Day School in San Diego County. It offers a rigorous dual-curriculum and places a strong emphasis on character development, kindness, gratitude, and excellence in both general and Judaic education.
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3630 Afton Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
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