The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School of Greater Washington is an independent, community day school, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school is dedicated to creating an environment in which students can grow to their fullest potential as responsible and dedicated members of the Jewish people, and of American society. Based on six basic Jewish precepts, the mission of our school is to teach its students: to become lifelong learners inspired by a love of “learning for the sake of learning” through a rigorous comprehensive academic program of General and Judaic studies which places a priority on critical, independent and creative thought and expression; to understand and appreciate the wisdom, spiritual depth and ethical guidance of Judaism; to understand and appreciate the perception of God’s presence in the awe and wonder of our world, and how we can sanctify our lives through the practice and experience of the Mitzvot; and to to create a caring, moral community based upon the concepts of B’tzelem Elokim (each individual is created in the image of God) and Derekh Eretz (ethical decency) in which members respect each other’s uniqueness and preciousness and are responsible for each other and the community. ...read more