Contra Costa Jewish Day School

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April 2015

Hello,

Looking for anyone with more recent feedback on CCJDS in Lafayette. Our son will be entering 6th grade this fall and is a sweeter, shyer guy and I am not sure that our local middle school will be the best fit for him. We live through the tunnel so we need to stay on this side as commute is not realistic for our family. Would love to hear from current families at this school.

Almost a middle school parent

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Dear Almost a Middle School Parent, My son sounds a lot like yours. We moved our son to CCJDS and he has been very happy there. I asked him if he regretted leaving his old school and he said, ''Not for a minute.'' CCJDS has been a warm and supportive place-from teachers to staff and fellow students. He has been very engaged and excited with the teachers and school work. He really likes the other kids. The middle school offers nice leadership opportunities with the younger students. We're very glad we made the move. Good luck with your decision. Sincerely, Happy at CCJDS
 

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Feb 2013

Re: Private School for Quirky Middle-High Schooler
I would encourage you to look at Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette. The school sounds like exactly what you are looking for. Don't know if you're Jewish, but the school has also had quite a few non-Jewish families. The middle school is very strong academically, very small classes, and lots of individual attention. Plenty of ''normal'' kids and ''quirky'' kids and they all seem to accept each other. The school promotes a culture of kindness and inclusion. Also, they have flexible tuition/financial aid which can make the school very affordable. We have been extremely happy with our experience there. Middle School Mom

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Jan 2011

Re: Private schools in Contra Costa County

I can highly recommend Contra Costa Jewish Day School! I am a parent of K and 3rd grade boys at the school, and couldn't be happier. CCJDS offers a warm, supportive community, and a challenging academic environment. Class size is small, and the teachers are superb. The students learn a second language (modern Hebrew) and meaningful science concepts beginning in K, and have music and art as well. Very important to me, and completely integrated into the general and Jewish studies curriculum, is a fabulous service-learning program where each year each class learns about an important value and puts together a class project where they demonstrate having really grasped that value. In K, they're learning about treating animals well, while in 3rd grade they're discussing issues regarding people with special needs. Even the staff and administration take on a service-learning project each year. I have lots more I could share, but I'll let you contact me directly if you're interested. Oh, and we live in Lafayette. Tosha

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As both a teacher and a mom of a kindergartener, I would like to highly recommend our school, Contra Costa Jewish Day School for its academics and community. Even though I am a teacher at the school, my husband and I debated what type of school would be best for our bright, extremely verbal, out-going son as he was entering kindergarten. We seriously considered other choices. Since we are a very secular family, we were not really interested in a religious school. We were looking for a school that would first and foremost encourage the love of learning. Being a squirmy boy with poorly developed small-motor skills, we worried that his first school experience would be frustrating for him. I wanted a school with a lot of play opportunities and a teacher who knew had enough experience with teaching boys to know that they arenC-t all always able to sit quietly and do seat work. I also wanted a school with small class sizes so he could get the individual attention that he, and all young learners need. The more I thought about the more it seemed obvious to bring him CCJDS. I knew from teaching at the school what a warm, welcoming community the school offered. I was also very aware of how amazingly dedicated the staff is to the school and to the success of every child there. I loved the idea of sending my child to a school where he will know everyone and everyone will know him. My husband and I were worried about the social aspect of school life for our only child. Since we live in Oakland and the school is in Lafayette, we worried that all of his playmates would be too far away to arrange playdates with. We were very happy to learn that over half his class lives on the Oakland side of the tunnel. Playdates have been easy to arrange and he has made many very good friends. He is thriving a CCJDS. He is happy to go to school everyday and loves learning. I am impressed with how much he has learned in such a short period of time. He tells us often how much he loves his school and that he wants the principal to open a high school and college so he never has to leave. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information at marybeth

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We send both our kids (K and 3rd grade) to Contra Costa Jewish Day School which is located in Lafayette and runs through the 8th grade. We have been extremely pleased with the quality of academics, smaller class sizes, and nice community. There is also a strong emphasis on community service and humanitarian values. Even though we live in a very good public school district, we are planning to keep our kids in CCJDS based on our very positive experience thus far. Good luck. Micah

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Dec 2010

Re: Private schools in Contra Costa County

I can highly recommend Contra Costa Jewish Day School! I am a parent of K and 3rd grade boys at the school, and couldn't be happier. CCJDS offers a warm, supportive community, and a challenging academic environment. Class size is small, and the teachers are superb. The students learn a second language (modern Hebrew) and meaningful science concepts beginning in K, and have music and art as well. Very important to me, and completely integrated into the general and Jewish studies curriculum, is a fabulous service-learning program where each year each class learns about an important value and puts together a class project where they demonstrate having really grasped that value. In K, they're learning about treating animals well, while in 3rd grade they're discussing issues regarding people with special needs. Even the staff and administration take on a service-learning project each year. I have lots more I could share, but I'll let you contact me directly if you're interested. Oh, and we live in Lafayette. Tosha

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As both a teacher and a mom of a kindergartener, I would like to highly recommend our school, Contra Costa Jewish Day School for its academics and community. Even though I am a teacher at the school, my husband and I debated what type of school would be best for our bright, extremely verbal, out-going son as he was entering kindergarten. We seriously considered other choices. Since we are a very secular family, we were not really interested in a religious school. We were looking for a school that would first and foremost encourage the love of learning. Being a squirmy boy with poorly developed small-motor skills, we worried that his first school experience would be frustrating for him. I wanted a school with a lot of play opportunities and a teacher who knew had enough experience with teaching boys to know that they aren't all always able to sit quietly and do seat work. I also wanted a school with small class sizes so he could get the individual attention that he, and all young learners need. The more I thought about the more it seemed obvious to bring him CCJDS. I knew from teaching at the school what a warm, welcoming community the school offered. I was also very aware of how amazingly dedicated the staff is to the school and to the success of every child there. I loved the idea of sending my child to a school where he will know everyone and everyone will know him. My husband and I were worried about the social aspect of school life for our only child. Since we live in Oakland and the school is in Lafayette, we worried that all of his playmates would be too far away to arrange playdates with. We were very happy to learn that over half his class lives on the Oakland side of the tunnel. Playdates have been easy to arrange and he has made many very good friends. He is thriving a CCJDS. He is happy to go to school everyday and loves learning. I am impressed with how much he has learned in such a short period of time. He tells us often how much he loves his school and that he wants the principal to open a high school and college so he never has to leave. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information at marybeth

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We send both our kids (K and 3rd grade) to Contra Costa Jewish Day School which is located in Lafayette and runs through the 8th grade. We have been extremely pleased with the quality of academics, smaller class sizes, and nice community. There is also a strong emphasis on community service and humanitarian values. Even though we live in a very good public school district, we are planning to keep our kids in CCJDS based on our very positive experience thus far. Good luck. Micah

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Dec 2010

4 years ago we started my daughter in a Walnut Creek public school. She did not receive the attention she needed and was not doing well. We switched to Contra Costa Jewish Day School part way through the year. Everyone welcomed us. From the first day my daughter got the attention she needed to thrive. She has done extremely well academically and emotionally. She is now in 4th grade and my twin boys are in first grade there. The small class size allows for childrens' individual needs to be met. The community is very supportive and welcoming. Aside from my kids getting great academics, they are learning to care for the environment and people less fortunate than they are. CCJDS Parent

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Jan 2007

I found only one fairly old review of this school in the archives, and was wondering if anyone has more recent impressions to share. Thanks anon

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I currently have 2 kids who attend The Contra Costa Jewish Day School and I couldn't be happier. We have been a part of the school since the very beginning and it's growing at an amazing rate. The academics are excellent and the environment is nurturing and embracing. The best thing to do it to come see it for yourself to see if it would be the right fit for you and your child Happy CCJDS parent

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I'd love to share my impressions of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School. My twin girls are in 3rd grade at CCJDS, having been there since Kindergarten, and we really love it. The school has grown substantially since Jenny wrote in 2003; we run from K to 8th now and our first graduating class will head off to high school next year. The older grades are currently in combined two grade classes \x96 the 3rd/4th graders are in one room, the 5th/6th class in one and 7th/8th class in another \x96 but enrollment has grown so much over the years that all the new incoming classes for the last 3 years have had a single grade in each room.

Even with this growth, the instruction has remained very individualized. Children who are more advanced are able to progress at their pace. The same is true for students who need more work on material; they are also given the help they need and the opportunity to excel. The academic program compares favorably with the excellent local public schools in the area; my kids are often working on material that is advanced compared with their peers.

The Judaic/Hebrew program is very good. My kids in 3rd grade have a strong knowledge of Judaism and what it means to be Jewish. They are involved in Tikun Olam (healing the world) through school-wide and classroom Mitzvah projects. CCJDS is also very inclusive; we have families who are secular, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, interfaith and some non-Jewish families. In the last several years, CCJDS added music, art and drama programs. We\x92re putting on our second all-school musical this year.

I could go on and on. We\x92ve reevaluated every year if our girls should continue at CCJDS, and every year the answer has been yes and based on our experience I expect that to continue. If anyone has any questions, I am more than happy to respond to any email questions. Mike B

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We are a new family at CCJDS, and we can't say enough good things about the school! The head of school is absolutely amazing and extremely dedicated, and has been with the school since the very start when they were in the planning stages. The teachers are so engaging, and do a fabulous job of bringing the curriculum to life. Even in kindergarten, the kids get individualized work, which we really like. The academics are superb, and that is the main reason we are at the school. We also like how they approach the Judaics and Hebrew in such a way that everyone feels comfortable, whether you are a very observant Jew or part of an interfaith marriage. My child comes home telling me about her day, and wakes up on the weekend wanting to go to school-- I can't ask for more than that! We live in Oakland and were very worried about the commute time, but there are a number of famlies we can carpool with, and we do. It only takes 15 minutes from Montclair village. There is a very strong aftercare program, which my child asks to attend all the time, and you can do it on a drop-in basis. I often use it when I need to work in the afternoon. It's like a built-in playdate at a very reasonable price, and my house doesn't get any wear and tear :) Good luck with your school selection! happy CCJDS parent

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Our 2 kids are currently in K and 1st grade at Contra Costa Jewish Day School (CCJDS). As we went through the process of selecting a school for our kids, we looked at quite a few, and were so impressed with CCJDS. What drew us to the school was the knowledgeable, creative and enthusiastic faculty; this energy starts with the Head of School and is apparent in each teacher. We also liked the schools mission to develop the whole child - intellectually, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Since CCJDS is in a location where there are excellent public schools, they need to offer something unique. We feel that the small class sizes and an individuated curriculum that focuses on each student\x92s learning style is something we could not find anywhere else. Also, as a committed, but not very religious, Jewish family it was important to us that our children would feel comfortable and accepted with our own family practices. We are excited that our children are learning Modern Hebrew and about Jewish values, ethics and their cultural and religious heritage. With small class sizes, and a teachers assistant in the classroom most of the day, my kids get lots of individual attention. I also must add that we love the strong sense of community we feel with the families at the school. There are many opportunities to be involved in the school if you wish. When we chose CCJDS the only hesitation we had was the commute from Oakland to Lafayette, this has proved to be very easy and our daily carpools really help too! We are delighted to be a CCJDS family! CCJDS parent, gemma

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I live in Oakland near Montclair and my 5 year old daughter began at Contra Costa Jewish Day School this year. We chose Contra Costa Jewish Day School becuase it was clearly academically superior to our public schools and to the two other East Bay Jewish Day Schools. My wife and I did this despite the fact that Oakland Hebrew Day School is around the corner from us and I have 3 half siblings who attend Tehiyah.

In the year that my daughter has been at CCJDS, I have thought that everything in the school has been tremendous. My daughter comes home begging to do more math problems, reading simple books(when she entered she did not recognize all her letters), talking to me in Hebrew(which she did not know one word of prior), asking constantly to go visit her friends from school, and begging to stay longer in after care.

Finally, I would just add that for the parents CCJDS is a wonderful school as well. I personally feel part of a community that supports learning, Judaism, friendship, and obviously my child. There is even adult education at the school after drop off on fridays. My wife and I both love the school and think it is an amazing place for both our children and ourselves. Ilan

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Dec 2006

Re: Private schools in Orinda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek
Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette is right off of Mount Diablo Blvd. If you are interested in a safe and nurturing school for your middle school child, you should consider our school. CCJDS is an independent K-8th grade school, with 82 students. What we love about CCJDS is that the school works with each student to reach their full academic and personal potential. My kids benefit from the small class sizes and the individual attention they recieve from their teachers. The teachers are terrific all have Masters degrees and/or teaching credentials. Their love for teaching at this school is apparent, they are dedicated to individuate curriculum to meet diverse learning styles. We appreciate that the school not only focuses on strong academics but works towards creating caring and responsible students. They learn social responsiblity by participating in a variety of mitzvah community service projects throughout the year. Our family also enjoys the caring and supportive school community.
Jonathan, happy CCJDS parent of 2

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Jan 2003

I wanted to add another possibility for families. I live in Montclair and my son goes to Contra Costa Jewish Day School(CCJDS) in Lafayette. This new school has exceeded all my expectations of what a good school can do for my child. Because it is only in it's second year, the grades offered are kindergarten through fourth. Each year it will add a grade until it reaches eigth grade. The academics and teachers are outstanding. But the most important benefit in my mind has been the sense of every teacher and staff person caring deeply for each student. Their is a very strong sense of family within the school. The instruction is very individualized and project based. It has been an excellent investment in my son's future. Call 925-284-8288 for more information. Jenny '