Considering Jewish Day Schools? Why Akiba deserves your nod.
Every parent’s hope, when considering daycare and educational options, is to find a school that best represents their values and that will become a partner in the education of their children. In fact, finding a school that is attuned to every child’s needs and that will provide them with the solid foundation necessary to succeed in life is primordial to all families.
For these Akiba families, who all have individual needs and expectations, the path to educational excellence led to Akiba.
Acquiring learning skills in a connected Jewish environment
Positive Learning Environment • Love of Judaism • Happy Children
As an Akiba student for nine years, Annie Kam credits Akiba for giving her a strong connection to Judaism, teaching her how to learn, and instilling Torah values. Annie and her husband Gavin have now chosen to give their children, Tova and Zander, the same positive experience:
It is important to us that our kids learn Torah values, and be given the opportunity to grow in their Jewish learning and Torah observance. It is equally important to us that they have a strong secular education. But most of all, we want our children to be happy—to be in a comfortable, nurturing environment where they feel safe learning and expressing themselves. We want them to be given the appropriate attention to develop and grow, based on their individual needs and talents. We have found that at Akiba.
Outstanding faculty providing a solid foundation
Quality Education • Mind-Expanding • Welcoming
Melissa and Shane Wainman’s two sons Ethan and Joshua will be entering second and fifth grade in the fall of 2009. At first enticed by the warmth and at-home feel of Akiba, they now laud the faculty:
Initially, we were impressed and surprised that the second grade teacher had a doctoral degree; we had not expected this. Now that we’ve experienced all grades from kindergarten through fourth, we have been both impressed and amazed by all our sons’ teachers. Our boys have had marvelous educators—people who LOVE teaching and thrive on children’s learning; these men and ladies have created a remarkable base for all future learning.
Where basketball and prayer successfully integrate with science and community service
Educational • Inspirational • Enjoyable
The Epstein family has been a strong promoter of Akiba since 1999. Daley graduated in 2006 and Jori started high school at Yavneh in the fall of 2008. Jason will graduate from Akiba in 2010, and brother Zachary will enter 5th grade in the fall. Through all those years, learning has remained strong:
Our children look forward to going to school. Before enrolling our oldest in a Jewish day school, we wondered if the seemingly large amount of time spent on Judaic subjects at a young age would detract from general studies learning. The Judaic learning, in many ways, actually complements/enhances our children’s secular learning. Analytical skills acquired through studying religious text, and the writing and speaking skills, transfer to all aspects of life. The Judaic studies help keep our children “grounded,” while at the same time enabling them to be knowledgeable, participate and feel comfortable in any religious setting.
A Balanced Environment, Providing a Great Foundation
Karen and Michael Pollak, daughter Madison (1st grade) and son Jaden (preschool, Chaverim): 
1. What was the determining factor in selecting Akiba?
It is difficult to single out one specific factor in selecting Akiba for our children. For us, Akiba provides an ideal balance between a Judaic and general education enabling our children to excel in a secular world while always being cognizant of their Jewish roots, heritage and customs. We also felt comfortable with how Akiba respects and values Jewish diversity through a policy of inclusion by making families with different levels of observance feel welcome and comfortable in the Akiba environment.
2. Akiba’s mission is to provide a superior general and Judaic education: how do you feel Akiba meets its objective?
Akiba meets is objective of delivering a superior general and Judaic education by instilling a love for Judaic knowledge, the State of Israel, and the Hebrew language as well as a passion for learning by emphasizing critical thought, independence, and creativity. All of this is achieved on a stunning campus with state of the art facilities, a superb faculty with an excellent student to teacher ratio and in a warm, nurturing and safe environment.
3. Given your experience at Akiba, what advice would you give another family as they explore their choices for preschool?
Think about what is truly important to you in educating your children. Also, give serious consideration to the unique needs of your children. Then come visit the campus, talk to the administrators, faculty, and parents. Sit in and observe a class with your child. Afterwards, reflect on your experience, level of comfort and whether your requirements are aligned with the school’s mission and philosophy. Stay focused on the needs of your children and do not make decisions based on what your family, friends or peers at work are doing.
Impressed With the Whole School
Tara and Joey Ohayon, daughter Gabriella, in 1st grade at Akiba, son Noah and infant daughter Mia:
1. What was the determining factor in selecting Akiba?
We knew that Akiba offered strong academic and Judaic programs but we wanted to look at the “whole school”. We visited the campus and observed the interactions between teachers and students, as well as the individual and social exchanges between students. We were impressed with the extra-curricular activities (such as the Tribes program) and selected Akiba based on its performance against all these factors, and its focus on building character and teaching children to be menschen.
2. Akiba’s mission is to provide a superior general and Judaic education: how do you feel Akiba meets its objective?
Our daughter is not only learning, she is interested in learning. Everyday, she enters the classroom excited at the prospect of acquiring new knowledge. The individual attention she receives from her teachers, along with the continual feedback we receive from them, has been very beneficial to our entire family. We are also impressed with the faculty and administration’s “cutting edge” approach to education.
3. Given your experience at Akiba, what advice would you give another family as they explore their choices for elementary school?
Look at the big picture. Refrain from focusing on one particular aspect of the school: in addition to the academics, evaluate the social and emotional interactions between students. Walk around the campus, during class and after school. See how teachers engage students, and how children respond. Make a decision based on your evaluation of all the factors that are important to you.
Solid Academics and Good Values
Vivi and Mike Martin, daughter Erin (6th grade) and son Mark (3rd grade) who started at Akiba in 4th and 1st grade:
We felt that the quality of education and the attention that the faculty and staff pay to the students exceed what our children could get in public schools.
2. Akiba’s mission is to provide a superior general and Judaic education: how do you feel Akiba meets its objective?
Our children have excelled in general studies in a scholastic environment that we feel is more demanding than public school. Both children have flourished in their Judaic studies, and truly enjoy learning the history of Judaism. We feel that our children are demonstrating good moral values thanks in part to the education they receive at Akiba.
3. Given your experience at Akiba, what advice would you give another family as they explore their choices for elementary or middle school?
We have been made to feel at home at Akiba. Our family has made many friends and acquaintances through our experience at Akiba. We feel it is important for families to consider the welcoming environment which we believe complements the excellence of the education they get at Akiba.
The Perfect Fit
 For Desmond and Hilary Bernhardt, Akiba has been the perfect fit for their sons Danny and Yoni since day one:
”It was very important to us that our boys learn about all the traditions and customs of Judaism, as well as Hebrew and the important connection to Israel and Zionism. Akiba is just the perfect balance between exposure to the heritage and essence of being Jewish, while keeping in mind that we live in a secular world. “
“The Akiba education is outstanding. We are extremely comfortable with the teachers, the level of education, both religious and secular, is wonderful. Our boys are at ease and confident in their environment—they are excited to go to school everyday. We also love that their confidence is tempered with respect, empathy and manners towards others. We feel they are getting just what they need and what we want in every aspect of their education.”
“For us, Akiba is the right place – it’s just that simple!”
Newcomers to Dallas
 Danny and Atara Guttman, along with their children [pictured here] Itai (6th grade), Ori (5th grade) Liad (3rd grade) and Liel (Chaverim in preschool) discuss the determining factors in choosing Akiba:
What were you looking for in a Jewish Day School?
“Having relocated to Dallas from Israel the summer of 2007 (due to my work here), my wife and I were looking for a Jewish day school for our kids that would continue in the spirit they were used to at their school "Da'at Mevinim" in Petach Tikva, Israel. This includes developing a strong identification with Israel while giving them a solid zionistic base, all in combination with Jewish studies such as Torah, Mishna, Gemara, Dinim, etc. Akiba Academy took on this challenge wholeheartedly, even arranging for special tuition in Gemara for our children so that they can keep up with what their peers are learning in Israel. Rabbi Silver's and other teachers' excitement to do everything to make our children feel welcome and accepted in their new environment made a huge impression on us. It was critical to us to find a school that would give our children the atmosphere of a warm Jewish learning place where also Israel is in clear focus of their learning. We want our children to be able to go back to Israel in the future without feeling too much that they have been away! We think Akiba is doing a great job from that perspective.”
Why Akiba?
“We believe the combination of Jewish studies together with a strong identification with Israel was a determining factor for us. The fact that Akiba also has children who come from homes with different levels of observance is, in our view, an advantage since our children get a chance to get a broader view of different Jewish families in the diaspora who all share the same basic elements as to the importance of providing a strong Jewish base for their children.”
On “meeting your children's educational and emotional needs”:
“We believe Akiba provides a good base for both general and Judaic studies. Studies in general in the United States are at different levels than in Israel. Since our children arrived with a very significant language barrier to bridge during their initial time in the US, it was a good thing that they were familiar with some of the teachings, so that they could focus more on the English language in the beginning. And in Hebrew, our kids are of course the stars in class...! On the emotional side, Akiba has exceeded their expectations. Everybody is so warm and embracing, and our children have already made several new good friends. If this trend continues, it may be a challenge to bring them back to Israel! We really want to thank Akiba's management, teachers, assistants, students and parents for making our move here so pleasant! Thank you all!”
The Weiss family
 David and Barbara, daughter Sarah, an Akiba alumna and student at Yavneh Academy, and son Noah, 5th grade student at Akiba, share their views on Jewish day school education:
“Jewish Day school education is important to us because it provides an opportunity for our children to secure a religious education that imparts Torah and ethical values. This education will allow our children to function in society guided by Torah principles. Our children will feel secure in their knowledge that if and when confronted by the outside world about their beliefs, they will have the tools and confidence to answer in a respectful and well-grounded manner.”
Why Akiba?
“Akiba was an easy decision for us. Its well-known reputation for both strong Judaic and secular studies combined with its Modern Orthodox philosophy was a strong selling point for us. Additionally, Akiba fosters a learning environment that is respectful of Jews of varying backgrounds. When we initially visited Akiba, the faculty and administration embraced us with open arms. We were impressed with the children’s middos when observing them on campus.”
On meeting their children’s emotional needs:
“Akiba meets our children’s needs with its accepting and warm setting. The teachers go out of their way to understand the individual student needs. They are exceptional at working with the parents to help the children achieve their potential. The faculty is always accessible if a problem arises. The administration believes that learning through one’s mistakes can be a valuable life lesson. Besides being educators, the Judaic faculty has led by example and provided our children, Sarah and Noah, with strong role models throughout our community. Sarah has graduated from Akiba and moved on to Yavneh Academy and is well-equipped to handle their rigorous Judaic and secular curriculums.”
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