Known as the People of the Book, Jews have long valued education – both formal and informal, religious and secular. Our Kids & Teens section covers all of these traditional elements. Schools for all ages address formal education, while camps and youth groups offer the equally- important opportunities for socializing and community involvement.
Education Resources
Jewish Education Tax Credit Organization
3822 E River Road
Tucson, AZ 85718
520-647-8442
www.jetco.org
Jewish Tuition Organization
Linda Zell, Executive Director
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 100M
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-5457
480-634-4926 Fax 480-629-5147
info@jtophoenix.org, www.jtophoenix.org
An Arizona private school tax credit organization & non-profit 501(c)(3). Raises funds through the private school tax credit for individuals and corporations as well charitable donations. Awards need-based scholarships to Jewish day school students. The mission of the Jewish Tuition Organization is to provide need-based scholarships to Arizona students to attend participating K-12 Jewish day schools in Metropolitan Phoenix.
The Learning Shuk
www.thelearningshuk.org
PJ Library – Phoenix
pjlibrary@bjephoenix.org
PJ Library – Tucson
pjlibrary@jfsa.org
PJ Library – Prescott
info@jcfgp.org
Preschools
Tucson:
Esther B. Feldman Preschool
Congregation Anshei Israel
5550 E Fifth St.
Tucson, AZ 85711
520-745-5550
www.caiaz.org
Tucson JCC Preschool
3800 E River Road Tucson, AZ 85718
520-615-5437
www.tucsonjcc.org
Olga & Bob Strauss ECE Center
Temple Emanu-El
225 N Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-325-0390
www.templeemanueltucson.org
The Valley:
ALEPH BET PRESCHOOL
Chabad of Arizona
2110 E Lincoln Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-994-2580
www.alephbetaz.com
Beth El Congregation
1118 W Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021
602-994-2464
www.bethelpreschoolphx.com
Chandler Jewish Preschool
Chabad of the East Valley
875 N McClintock Dr.
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-855-4333
www.chabadcenter.com
Chanen Preschool
Congregation Beth Israel
10460 N 56th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-951-3398
www.cbiaz.org
East Valley JCC Preschool
908 N Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
480-897-0588
www.evjcc.org
Emunah Montessori Academy
6848 N 12th Way
Phoenix, AZ 85014
480-316-2022
www.emunahmontessori.com
Phoenix Hebrew Preschool
515 E Bethany Home Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-277-7479
www.phoenixhebrewacademy.org
Shalom Montessori
7300 N Via Paseo Del Sur
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-626-0676
www.shalommontessori.org
The Solel Preschool
6805 E McDonald Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
480-991-4545
www.solelpreschool.org
Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool
Temple Emanuel of Tempe
5801 S Rural Road
Tempe, AZ 85283
480-838-1414, ext. 20
www.emanueloftempe.org
Temple Beth Shalom Preschool
3400 N Dobson Road
Chandler, AZ 85254
480-897-3636
www.sholompreschool.org
Temple Chai Preschool
4645 E Marilyn Road
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602-923-3619
www.templechai.com
Temple Kol Ami
15030 N 64th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-951-9660
www.templekolami.org
Torah Day School of Phoenix
1118 W Glendale Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021
602-374-3062
www.torahdayschoolofphoenix.org
Valley of the Sun JCC Early Childhood Center
Alison Johnston, COO
Dani Hibert, Co-Director
Deena Boone, Co-Director
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 201
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-659-7769 Fax: 480-659-7768
earlychildhood@vosjcc.org, vosjcc.org
The VOSJCC Early Childhood Center is one of Scottsdale’s finest preschools, offering quality childcare, Jewish enrichment and a lifetime of learning for the entire family. Nearly three decades of parents have entrusted us with the care of their children. Our nationally accredited programs range from age 6 weeks through pre- kindergarten. We offer gym and swim programs. We offer programs that help parents learn new parenting techniques and we have social programs for families and adults.
Day Schools
Tucson:
Tucson Hebrew Academy
3888 E River Road
Tucson, AZ 85718
520-529-3888
www.thaaz.org
The Valley:
Desert Jewish Academy
Emily Zappa, Head of School/ Executive Director
3400 N Dobson Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
emily@desertja.org, www.desertja.org
Desert Jewish Academy provides our students with a firm foundation in academic and Judaic studies through a challenging and integrated curriculum exceeding state standards. We lay the groundwork for our students to be proud, knowledgeable, responsible, and productive individuals. Students are encouraged to celebrate their unique qualities as they learn respect for varied approaches to Judaism while embracing diverse cultures. We foster a strong sense of ethics, self, and community.
Pardes Jewish Day School
Jill Kessler, M.A., M. Ed., Head of School
Bethany Spector, M.A., Director of Admissions
12753 N Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-991-9141 Fax: 480-991-9405
contact@pardesschool.org, www.pardesschool.org
Over 20 years of academic excellence. Independent K to 8 coeducational day school. Rigorous secular education with an integrated Jewish education. Experienced and dedicated faculty; low teacher-student ratio; student-focused learning. Newly renovated campus. Technology, art, physical education, music and Spanish offered. After-school enrichment activities, morning/ after-care available. Daily Kosher lunch program. Member of the Mountain Valley Athletics League. Accredited. Partner agency with the Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix.
Phoenix Hebrew Academy
515 E Bethany Home Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-277-7479
www.phoenixhebrewacademy.org
Shalom Montessori
7300 N Via Paseo Del Sur
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-626-0676
www.shalommontessori.org
Shearim Torah High School for Girls
6516 N Seventh St., Ste. 105
Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-324-3406
www.shearimhighschool.org
Torah Day School of Phoenix
1118 W Glendale Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021
602-374-3062
www.torahdayschoolofphoenix.org
Yeshiva High School of Arizona
727 E Glendale Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-266-1213
www.azyeshiva.org
Hebrew/Relgious Schools
Most synagogues and Chabad Houses offer Hebrew and religious schools through bar/bat mitzvah. Some temples continue with Confirmation classes through 10th grade. See Congregation listings for contact information.
Independent Schools
Tesseract School
Scott Salk, Director of Admissions
Mark Bistricky, Head of School
Jacqui Breger, Director of Marketing & Communications
Early Childhood & Lower School Campus (Age 2-4th Grade):
4800 E Doubletree Ranch Road,
Paradise Valley
480-991-1770, Fax: 480-991- 1954
Middle & Upper School Campus (5th-12th Grade):
3939 E Shea Blvd.,
Phoenix
480-385-3673, Fax: 480-385-3674
ssalk@tesseractschool.org, www.tesseractschool.org
Our students realize their potential through creativity, collaboration, confidence building and critical thinking in a safe, nurturing community. From age 2 through 12th grade, we offer small classes, dedicated faculty, comprehensive arts and music program, and academic excellence and innovation through project-based learning. We encourage our students to embrace the values, attitudes, skills, knowledge and perspective to “inspire their dreams,” find their passions and develop a love of learning for a fulfilled and successful life.
Special Needs Resources
Council for Jews with Special Needs
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 205
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-629-5343
www.cjsn.org
Friendship Circle
Chabad of Arizona
2110 E Lincoln Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-861-1600
www.fcaz.org
Keshet Social Group
Council for Jewish with Special Needs
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 205
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-629-5343
ww.cjsn.org
SIRRI
Dan Williams, PT, CSCS, BCN, Executive Director
4515 S McClintock Dr., Ste. 208
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-777-7075 Fax: 480-777-7119
info@sirriaz.com, www.SIRRI.com
SIRRI is a developmental rehabilitation and learning center offering comprehensive programs and services to help children and adults with Autism, ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, developmental delays, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, birth trauma and acquired brain injuries improve their balance, coordination, attention, focus, cognitive skills, memory and processing skills, auditory processing, visual and fine/gross motor skills, and overall function and independence. SIRRI provides Neurofeedback/Biofeedback and QEEG (Brain Map) services. SIRRI supplements schools to promote successful learning.
Day Camps
Many of the congregations that have preschools also have preschool summer day camps. See our Congregation and Preschool listings. The following have camps for older children as well as preschool.
Camp Simcha
Congregation Beth Israel
10460 N 56th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-951-3398
www.cbiaz.org
East Valley JCC
908 N Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
480-897-0588
www.evjcc.org
Devils Lake near the Oregon coast, offers a range of activities including arts and crafts, dance, Jewish enrichment, Israeli culture, Shabbat celebrations, high ropes course & climbing tower, out- of-camp trips, wakeboarding, kayaking and hydro-tubing. Specialty programs include Outdoor Jewish Adventure for 11th graders and Kehila, an inclusive program for children with special needs. BB Camp is JCC affiliated and accredited by the American Camp Association.
Camp Daisy & Harry Stein
c/o Congregation Beth Israel
10460 N 56th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-951-0323 www.campstein.org
Independent Camps
Friendly Pines Camp
Kevin Nissen, Director
Bebe Brown May, Owner
Jody Anderson, Program Director
933 Friendly Pines Road
Prescott, AZ 86303
888-281-2267 Fax: 928-445-6065
info@friendlypines.com, www.friendlypines.com
Nestled in the cool pines of the Bradshaw Mountains near Prescott, Friendly Pines has offered the benefits of summer camping to boys and girls, ages 6-13, since 1941. We offer campers a choice of 30+ activities including horseback riding, waterskiing, rock climbing, ropes course, canoe/kayak, sports, archery, swimming, tennis, fencing, pets, performing arts and visual arts. Friendly Pines is an “Arizona tradition” turning childhood moments into rich memories for three generations. One- and two-week sessions.
Youth & Teen Programs
BBYO
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 201
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-634-4900 www.bbyo.org
B’Nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program
at Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 202
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-699-1717
www.jcfphoenix.org
Camp Swift Youth Foundation
7950 E Acoma Dr., Ste. 106
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-443-5645
www.campswift.org
CTeen Phoenix
Teen program of Chabad
www.chabadaz.com
Hebrew High in the Valley
Classes in Scottsdale, Chandler and West Valley Bureau of Jewish Education
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 206
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-634-8050
www.bjephoenix.org
Hebrew High in Tucson
3800 E River Road
Tucson, AZ
520-577-9393
www.tucsonhebrewhigh.org
NCSY
Teen program of Orthodox Union www.ncsy.org
NFTY
North American Federation of Temple Youth Teen program of Reform congregations
www.nfty.org
USY
United Synagogue Youth Teen program of Conservative congregations www.usy.org
