Portland Jewish Academy

We have two children at PJA and we are so happy with the school in terms of both the academic education and the strong focus on values. Most importantly, our kids love PJA and consistently rate their days as a 9.9 or 10 on a scale of 1-10. Sometimes they even rate it as a 10 plus! The teachers provide a very hands-on, personalized approach and the students are very engaged. The principal is an absolutely incredible person who is not only nice and approachable, but who knows every child's name and truly cares about the students. We feel confident that our kids are in a nurturing and positive environment as evidenced by the fact that they are both thriving at PJA.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 3 alumni who are now out in the world doing interesting and exciting things, including Jewish youth group leadership, arts, science, athletics, music and more. They are all mensches (good people) who got so much of their foundation at PJA. I am grateful every day for the love and support that was given to our children every day of the many years we spent at the school. As parents we were always heard and accepted. We appreciate the relationship that the school has with the JCC. Because we are on this wonderful campus students have the opportunity to use a state of the art gym and pool, and can avail themselves of all of the great after school classes that the JCC offers. It is essential to the day to day working of the school to have and maintain this very strong relationship with the JCC. We truly are grateful for the years our children spent here where the academics are strong, teachers are excellent, and where students are seen for who they are and challenged to take risks and dig more deeply into their learning. PJA is a great place. Happy 50th PJA. May you know 50 plus more years of educating wonderful children.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been going to PJA since our kids were 18 months old. They are in 2nd and 3rd grade now. We moved from London and were very nervous about finding a great school for our children. We put them in PJA and could not be happier. The school really does feel like a family. My kids know kids across all grades and they really feel nurtured when they are there. They KNOW that they have lots of people watching out for them and that care about their welfare. Academically, we are very satisfied. They are engaged all day long and come home challenged by the work they do. They sing Jewish songs in the shower and know look forward to shabbat. Merrill Hendon has done a fantastic job leading the school and under her purview I have watched the school evolve in a genuinely wonderful way. She knows every child's name, but beyond that she remembers the smallest details about the families. The rest of the staff also is terrific and everyone feels like they are the same page -- to make PJA the best it can possibly be. We are happy. We just wish there was a high school!
--Submitted by a parent

Just average. Nothing too special about the program. Feels like any other elementary school for my child. Some of the teachers seem to have been there far too long and have lost their creative edge. At the same time, the school purports to be a "Jewish" day school and its Jewish component is more than lacking. We are not a "religious" family, however, the Jewish studies seems very weak. In addition, the school is linked to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. For the physical space resources at the MJCC I am surprised they are not used more. However, I do look forward to my child taking swimming in 3rd grade (if we keep our child at the school). Also, this connection with the MJCC seems to be odd. There is a shared Board of Directors. I do not understand how this works. It almost feels like a negative situation. Finally, I think the principal really does an excellent job. She listens and hears my concerns. However, I feel she has limited ability to run/manage the school with the current set-up with the MJCC and its leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

We're in our second year at PJA and I can't say enough about how happy we are with the school choice we made.The teachers are outstanding. Classes are small so every child gets attention. The kids enjoy everything from PE to art classes to Israeli folk dancing. I'm just amazed at how much my child has learned. Parent involvement is very strong and the sense of community embraces the entire family. When we had some medical issues, people I barely knew were offering to help out with anything from meals to childcare. When my child enters the building each morning, it's almost like a kid version of the bar in the TV show Cheers: Everybody knows her name! Despite the "Jewish" in the name of the school, there are plenty of non-religious and interfaith families, as well as some families with no tie to Judaism who simply wanted a wonderful school for their children. Diversity is truly embraced here.
--Submitted by a parent

I am almost jealous - my daughter is having so much fun, learning at a deeper level and making connections I did not know possible for a child of elementary school age. The academics are outstanding, the teachers passionate and caring. Plus, I did not realize how much joy she would get from studying Jewish values and Hebrew everyday. I drop her off at school, and I don't worry. The curriculum is so rich, and the school culture is respectful. I am grateful that when she graduates PJA in 8th grade, she will have an excellent academic foundation and know what it means to be a mensch - a good person who does good things.
--Submitted by a parent

PJA has been a wonderful, supportive, academically challenging and nurturing environment for our two daughters. Our oldest is graduating 8th grade this year and has thrived with the small classroom and personal attention given to her by her teachers. Our youngest daughter has been attending since preschool and has been like a flower that opens another petal each year. We are convinced that the intimate environment has supported her development.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my girls are at PJA, one in the preschool and one in second grade and I am a very satisfied parent. The school is truly impressive academically and yet still manages to focus time on art and music and reading and the joy of friendship and Jewish values and education. I couldn't be more proud to have the kids there and be a part of this community.
--Submitted by a parent

As a preschool parent I have been extremely disappointed in the program at PJA. The teachers are good, but seem unmotivated and are often out. The director is rarely available. The communication between the afterschool program and the classroom program is limited, and I often have a hard time knowing how my child's day went.
--Submitted by a parent

PJA has been a wonderful school for my child. She is thriving and challenged to do her best work, as a learner and as a person who cares about her community. I feel I have a partner in helping me raise a great human being. The teachers are passionate and caring, and I can always speak to them about my concerns. I like the International Baccalaurete program - she is learning subjects on a deeper level and her global awareness had increased. Lastly, what I really appreciate is the school environment - I so appreciate the broad umbrella that PJA provides, to non-Jews and Jews alike. The school environment is respectful, fun and the parent community is very caring. I take her to school and she is excited to go. I don't worry. She loves what she is learning.
--Submitted by a parent