Lower School

Transitional kindergarten (Ganon) through 5th grade

PJA lower school students develop a strong foundation in academics and social-emotional skills. We use a hands-on approach in our classes. For example, children are introduced to addition and subtraction through use of everyday objects before they move on to abstract manipulation of numbers. Students write daily; they brainstorm, draft, and revise their work to produce stories, letters, reports and poetry. We read and share comprehension in all content areas.

Critical thinking skills are introduced at this level as well. In every subject from science to social studies, students are encouraged to ask questions, to investigate, and to come to their own conclusions with the guidance of our excellent instructors.

Lower school students also begin studying Hebrew and Jewish Studies as four and five year olds in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or earlier if they've been in our Preschool. Specialists in art, music, physical education, and dance round out our full-spectrum curriculum.  

As in every PJA grade, from TK through Grade 8, our lower school curriculum incorporates the International Baccalaureate® curricular framework.  Portland Jewish Academy is an International Baccalaurate World School candidate.  Click here to learn more about what that means at PJA.

Check out a sample International Baccalaureate Kindergarten Unit.

Lower School Field Trips

Students of all ages take a variety of day field trips. Past field trips include Native American storytelling, a ride on the Portland Sternwheeler and a Portland walking tour. Beginning in fifth grade, students take overnight field trips that support and enrich the curriculum. Fifth grade students spend four days doing environmental studies at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Curriculum

You are welcome to take a look at the Curriculum mapping our teachers have done for their classes.  Connecting to this web site will give you a peek at what your children will be working on in the classroom.  The link below will open in a separate window and connect you with the Rubicon web site.  Use the search function to help you browse the site.

Click here to view PJA curriculum maps.

PROJECTS

Our lower school students participate in many exciting projects throughout the year, from bridge building to a Native American potlatch, Portland Jewish Academy students experience a wide variety of lessons, both in and out of the classroom.

To learn about a sample project, click here.

Resources

Think your child is ready for Kindergarten?  Click here for a handy checklist to help you find out! 

Click here to learn more about the International Baccalaureate curricular framework.

Contact

If you would like more information about the PJA Lower school, please contact Inge Hoogerhuis, our Admission Director or call 503.535.3599.