Our Philosophy
Wise School Early Childhood Center provides children from birth through five years with an innovative, educational experience tailored to the needs and expression of the whole child in an inclusive Jewish community. In each class and at every age, our approach to education is through the lens of a Constructivist philosophy, focusing on hands-on, experiential learning that sparks curiosity, fosters creativity and encourages children to think deeply, imaginatively and critically as they explore their classroom environment and unravel the challenges that arise through their work and their play. We give honor to the diversity of our families, and we celebrate the uniqueness in each one of us as well as the strength of our temple community.
We encourage a love of learning by enabling children to experience their own stage of development, helping them to feel success without pressure. Through dedicated concentration on emergent curriculum, we deliberately use the interests of the children as a natural springboard to launch opportunities of in-depth, integrated exploration and study across all academic disciplines, from language, math, social studies, Jewish studies, science, engineering, technology, music and fine arts. Small and large-group activities strengthen the children’s social skills, self-esteem, self-control and teamwork abilities. A balance of teacher-directed and child-directed activities serves to support and challenge the child in a setting in which his or her individuality is respected.
Throughout the school year, we focus on the celebration, history, culture and traditions of the Jewish people, combined with an emergent curriculum that includes academic readiness experiences in math, reading, social studies and science. Through our partnership with the USC Rossier School of Education, we have developed the Wise Learning Process. Through this program, we emphasize critical and creative thinking skills, with the purpose of helping children learn how to learn. Teachers build self-esteem in children by providing the language of critical thinking to help describe the interest and wonder they find in the world around them as well. We provide multiple points of entry through various media to captivate and sustain deep engagement for every child. The values of kindness, empathy, honesty, responsibility, integrity and teamwork are integrated throughout the learning process, and they are a part of our daily experience with your child.
Jewish Life
At Wise School, we believe that in order for our children to establish an understanding of and deep connection to Jewish customs, tradition, and the land of Israel, we need to provide them with rich, meaningful, and relevant Jewish experiences.
Our Judaic Studies program allows our students to express themselves B’Ivrit (in Hebrew) naturally and organically as bilingual learners and engage in personal inquiry through art, music, and technology while learning Jewish Studies. We enable our students to experience wholeness when celebrating Kabbalat Shabbat, participating in invigorating and uplifting services and by emphasizing our connection to Israel.
Through active participation in all aspects of Jewish life experiences, our children experience wholeness and learn the importance of making great happen for Los Angeles, the Jewish people, and the world.
Hebrew Immersion
Unique to Wise, our curriculum emphasizes Hebrew as a modern language aligning with studies that prove becoming bilingual has a positive effect on students’ intellectual growth in all subject areas. Students are immersed in the beauty, tradition and sophistication of the language, while learning to speak, read and write with natural fluency.
Designed for Jewish students in the Diaspora, our program will always feel relevant to children’s lives and cultural backgrounds. Hebrew is introduced in a nurturing, creative environment fostering basic skills through fun and engaging activities. As fluency increases, students experience hands-on projects to gain a deeper foundation. In upper grades, our program expands communication skills building on listening, speaking, reading and writing proficiency.
“I studied Hebrew as a kid but can’t speak a word and remember almost nothing, but ever since my daughter stared Hebrew Immersion she has been coming home with Hebrew words and now even calls me Ima. As she acts out the words or translates them for me she is teaching me little by little and slowly what I learned as a kid is coming back.”
“I understand and speak Hebrew pretty well, so I was pleasantly surprised the other day when my son came home and taught me a Hebrew word I didn’t know! He learns new words every day, and I now learn from him.”
“Olivia pointed to her shirt and said par-par. My husband and I thought it was another of her many made-up words until she said it again and I realized she was wearing a butterfly shirt. It occurred to me to look up the Hebrew word for butterfly and sure enough, it’s par-par. A few weeks later, while walking on a grassy area, she picked up a giant leaf and declared, in a deep voice, that it was gadol. A moment later, she picked up a tiny leaf and, in a high pitched voice, declared it was katan. Both of these instances were quite early on in the program.”
“Whenever we pass people in the mall or anywhere that are speaking Hebrew, she [Lielle] eavesdrops! She says, ‘Mommy, they are talking Hebrew.’ So she recognizes it out of context.”
Before and After School Programs
Whether you are a working parent, want your child to have even more opportunities for social engagement with peers, or both, we have a variety of activities to meet your needs. We even have you covered for those times when an emergency comes up and are unable to pick-up your child on time (please see Drop-in options below).
Extended Day Programs
Early Morning care is available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Extended Day care is available daily from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Parents may sign-up bi-annually or make use of our daily drop-in option (see Drop-in pricing below). Both Early Morning and Extended Day locations will be in room 10. Registration is available from to.
After School Enrichment Programs
Our Enrichment classes are filled with exciting and educational activities for your children. Enrichment’s run Monday through Friday from 2:10 to 3:00 p.m. Registration is available from to.
To sign up for enrichment classes, please click here.
Drop-in Options
If you are running late and need to drop your child at school, you can sign up for a drop-in on a daily basis. Below are the drop-in times.
- Early Morning – 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
- Extended Day – 12 to 2:00 p.m.
- Extended Day – 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
- Extended Day – 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
- Full Afternoon Extended Day – 2:00-6:00 p.m.
To sign up for a day of “Drop In” Extended Day, please click here.