Admission Policy and Process

Admission Policy

Portland Jewish Academy is a non-profit organization open to all children.  PJA's dual emphasis on general studies and Hebrew/Jewish studies presents our students with a challenging academic milieu.  Our admission policies and procedures flow from this standard and are in place to ensure the success of each child as an individual and of the group as a whole.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Portland Jewish Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other school administered programs.

Applications and Admission Process

Our application deadline is January 29, 2010; we accept applications on an on-going basis after that time as space permits.  Returning students and their siblings are given priority.  Assignment of new students to classes will be announced after March 10, 2010.  If classes are full, students will be placed in a wait pool.  Application is made by returning the application packet with the application fee of $50 to the school office. 

To do this online, please click here.

Transitional Kindergartners must be four by September 1 of the upcoming school year.  Kindergartners must be five by September 1 of the upcoming school year.

Click here to view additional admission form requirements.

Once applications have been received, each potential student will meet with our Admission Director. 

Students entering grades 2 through 5 must visit PJA for at least half a day preceding the school year for which they have applied.  Faculty members will do an informal observation and the Admission Director will do a formal assessment of your child at that time.  The Admission Director will meet with you and your student following this visit.

Students entering PJA's middle school spend a full day at PJA preceding the school year for which they have applied.

Transfer and Admissions During the School Year

PJA welcomes students during the school year as space permits.  Because our curriculum includes Hebrew and Jewish Studies, PJA may require parents to provide tutoring or other in-school or after school support.  All such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by administrators after consulting with parents and teachers.

Admission Notification

After applicants have gone through the application process, the Admissions Committee will meet.  Acceptance will be conditional upon receipt of all of the required information and review of applicants by the admission committee.  A timely notification of acceptance will follow.

PJA reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant or to expel any enrolled student if the admission or continued enrollment would, in the sole judgement of the Head of School, be detrimental to the interests of PJA.  Admission and continued enrollment at PJA is subject to all of PJA's policies and conditions, as amended from time to time.