With it being year-end families will soon be getting ready for the next school year. The Cape Jewish Chronicle has spoken to Jewish schools in Cape Town about their offering and have put together the summary below – we hope it may help guide parents about which school to choose.
| SCHOOL | PHYLLIS JOWELL | SINAI ACADEMY | SALISBURY HOUSE | HERZLIA | CAPE TOWN TORAH HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRADES OFFERED | Pre-primary from 18 months old to Primary (Grade 6) | Pre-primary from 4 months through primary to Grade 6 | Grades 1-7 with multigrade classrooms | Age 18 months to 18 years | Grades 7-12 |
| LOCATION | Camps Bay | Blouberg | Wynberg – located at Temple Israel Wynberg | City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Constantia | Gardens |
| CURRICULUM | Dual curriculum: Jewish studies with international Curriculum and International Primary Curriculum for secular studies | Dual curriculum: Jewish studies with international Curriculum and Primary Curriculum for secular studies (Cape national standard baseline and international curriculum in addition – international accreditation) | CAPS curriculum and British ASDAN curriculum for children with special needs | CAPS curriculum with National Senior Certificate Examination (NSC Matric). Additional subjects available via IEB 21st century skills, e.g. ESTEAM, Digital Literacy and Coding, Makerspaces, Robotics and Computer Labs. Singapore Mathematics across all grades. UN Sustainable Goals included in the curriculum. Inclusive education: allows for children who are not academically inclined to achieve a Matric. | Dual curriculum: – Full Judaic studies – General studies through University of Nebraska High School (an internationally accredited curriculum) |
| ONLINE SCHOOLING | No | No | Not for mainstream but ASDAN online schooling is available for those with special needs | No | No |
| JEWISH EDUCATION | A strong foundation in Torah skills and values. From text to experiential learning through the age groups | A strong foundation in Torah skills and values. From text to experiential learning through the age groups More than a school, a community setting, where school and shul are closely connected for experiential learning | Pluralist Judaism applied – recognise Progressive, Reform & Orthodox Judaism. Hebrew & Jewish Studies once a week. Shabbat celebrated every Friday, and Chaggim are celebrated | Jewish Life & Learning programme Close collaboration with Jewish Youth Groups and Jewish community internationally. Trips to elsewhere, e.g. Israel Encounters, March of the Living in Poland Diller International Leadership Programme and Galilee Dreamers | Extensive Judaic Studies: 2-3 periods per day (Chumash, Tanach, Talmud, Jewish law and history. Jewish Philosophy) |
| AVERAGE CLASS SIZE | 7 | Average of 15 per class (vertical grouping with individualised skills education) High staff to student ratio | Maximum of 10 children | 20-25 pupils per class | Average of 10 students per grade divided into two divisions – boys and girls |
| EXTRA-MURAL ACTIVITIES | Sports hub, Chess, Yoga, Music, Drama, Art, Ceramics | Find out more from the school | Dancing and music lessons available on the premises | Wide range of sports and cultural activities, including Chess, Living Maths, Soccer, Gymnastics, Ballet, Drama, Karate, Ballet, Hip Hop, Clay, Coding and Robotics, Water Polo, mountain biking, ESTEAM and Esport, etc | Futsal and access to Herzlia extra-murals |
| MATRIC QUALIFICATION | N/A | N/A | N/A | Top 10 Performing NSC Schools both in the Western Cape and nationally. Alumni study at universities locally and abroad | American-accredited high school diploma and SAT exams. Alumni accepted into universities in SA and around the world |
| FINANCIAL SUPPORT | Assistance to eligible families | Assistance to eligible families | No | Support provided to eligible pupils through The Herzlia Foundation Trust | Available for eligible parents and students |
• Published in the December 2023/January 2024 issue – Click here to start reading.
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