The language of Hebrew is an everyday experience for our students, and is an integral part of our core curriculum. From a very young age, they understand the centrality of the language in the development of their Jewish identity. We develop all language acquisition skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Scientific research in brain development indicates that children who are exposed in their younger years to a second language are more successful in learning and internalizing that language.

Our approach is unique to Wise: modern, authentic, and personal. For example, the emphasis is on conversational Hebrew in a modern context. Authenticity comes from real-world experiences, such as our 5th graders learning about Neot Kedumim, an outdoor museum site near Jerusalem, that they visit virtually to help them understand biblical life in its natural setting. Hebrew becomes personal for our students through the sharing of their lives, traditions and family events.

Hebrew Immersion

Wise School continues our unique Hebrew Immersion program, that begins in the Aaron Milken Center (Early Childhood), with designated, pull-out classes in grades K – 3. In grades 4 and above, our Immersion students are placed in the advanced Hebrew groups. To maintain the integrity of the program, all content is taught exclusively in Hebrew by native, Hebrew-speaking teachers.