Charles E Smith Jewish Day School

I am the parent of two current students and one alumnus. I have one child in elementary school who LOVES going to school, loves his teachers, his activities, and his friends, and feels so safe and cared for. I am blown away by the education- the way he talks about his own learning style, the tools he uses, and the projects he does in class. I have another child in high school who I have seen blossom in the past years to be a strong, confident young woman and leader at school. She chooses to challenge herself with difficult classes and makes use of all the resources that the school provides so that she can manage the coursework along with vibrant social life and extra-curricular interests. My oldest now attends Johns Hopkins University and tells me that he is more prepared and successful than his fellow students - particularly in the area of writing. He says that while a lot of other freshmen had a difficult transition to college, his was so much easier because of the Senior Capstone Trips that the students go on for the second semester of senior year and because he is so comfortable in knowing himself and what he values. I couldn't ask for more.

My 3 kids attend Charles E. Smith - all with different interests and needs, and it has everything you could want in a school. As a former school professional, I know the professionalism and thoroughness they bring to everything they do. They are excellent!!

I am an alum parent who has my last student getting ready to graduate and I could not be sadder! It has been a pleasure watching all three of my children grow as students and well-rounded human beings while attending CESJDS. They have learned how to be great thinkers, self-motivated, hard-working, and all-around good people - I believe it is in large part to this school.

My 4 children attended CESJDS from Kindergarten through 12th grade. They benefited greatly from the small classes, stimulating curriculum, relationships with teachers and friendships that they formed during their time here. CESJDS provided all of them a unique educational and social experience that had had a lasting impact on each of them. They benefited from extra curricular experiences that might never have been able to participate in if they attended a school that was less inclusive of student abilities and talents. The 3 month experience during their senior year in Israel and Eastern Europe was life changing to all of them in different ways and has played a role in shaping the continuing Jewish journey that they are each on. We couldn't have been happier with our choice of CESJDS for our family.

I have two children at CESJDS and am so happy with the decision to join this community! My family has really found our place at the school, which is warm and welcoming. My kids are happy - they love their classes and their teachers and want to go to school each day (which is amazing!) One of my kids is really engaged in the STEM program. They are coding and doing challenging assignments, which she finds really interesting and fun. My other kid is more into arts and there are lots of classes and opportunities for him to explore. He brings home incredible work that now hangs on my kitchen walls!

I love JDS!!! My son started in 9th grade when we moved from Florida. The teachers, students and entire community is so warm and welcoming. My son has profoundly benefited from the values-based/character education. He also loves the dual-language environment and the superb Judaic Studies curriculum. He has gained important skills for life including critical thinking and analysis, ethical leadership and study skills. JDS also has a huge range of extracurricular and elective opportunities. I highly recommend JDS to any family, especially the high school.

I love JDS!!! My son started in 9th grade when we moved from Florida. The teachers, students and entire community is so warm and welcoming. My son has profoundly benefited from the values-based/character education. He also loves the dual-language environment and the superb Judaic Studies curriculum. He has gained important skills for life including critical thinking and analysis, ethical leadership and study skills. JDS also has a huge range of extracurricular and elective opportunities. I highly recommend JDS to any family especially the high school.

I absolutely love this school. As a Freshman at JDS, I can honestly say I have had the best experience at the upper school, as well as the lower school. I have become close with every single one of my teachers. Not to mention my fellow students. We are one community. One family. We are united in the fact that we all share a common history and background. It does not matter if you are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc. You are accepted here. And I can honestly say I am extremely happy that my parents sent me to the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in kindegarden. I would not have my excellent GPA, my dedicated teachers, my amazing friends, and the chance to pursue anything I wanted, if I had gone to another school.