Welcome to
Rodeph Sholom School
Message from the Head of School
I am so pleased that you are visiting Rodeph Sholom School’s website. In the six-plus years that my family and I have had the privilege to be part of this special community, we have continued to deepen our appreciation for the particular blend of closely-knit community, powerful academic learning, and deeply held values that anchor this wonderful place for children to learn and grow.
In this, my 31st year in independent school education, I see immense opportunity to harness the passionate engagement of the intelligent, thoughtful, and caring individuals – from two-year-olds to 30-year-plus faculty veterans – who make this place churn with positive energy in order to fulfill our commitment to develop each student’s love of learning and sense of responsibility to themselves and their community through meaningful experiences and intellectual exploration.
I am honored to lead this school in collaboration with a talented and committed leadership team and faculty and staff, and I am proud to be a parent of two thriving students in the school. Whether you are just starting to learn about Rodeph Sholom School, are returning to check in on us, or are one of the hundreds of individuals who together keep the spirit of the school alive every day, I invite you to engage and be part of preparing tomorrow’s purpose-driven leaders to make the world a better place one action at a time.
Sincerely,
Danny Karpf P’23 ‘26
Head of School
A Note From the Head of the Early Childhood Division
What a thrill it is to be part of a child’s first school experience!
Here in the Early Childhood Division, we have the unique opportunity to introduce students to the joy of discovery, the wonders of learning, and provide the formative experiences they will need to prepare for the academic rigor of the grades — all in the safe, nurturing, environment of Rodeph Sholom School.
From the time they enter our program until the time they finish Kindergarten, we witness their tremendous growth and are privileged to see their unique personalities unfold.
In the Twos and Threes, students learn how to move through a school day, how to develop positive and satisfying relationships with others, and how to function within a group. They are also exposed to a wide range of learning materials and have myriad opportunities to explore and discover the world around them.
In Pre-Kindergarten this learning continues but with a focus on building a strong foundation for developing literacy, math, and critical thinking skills with the guidance of experienced educators.
By Kindergarten, students are actively utilizing their newfound skills in reading, writing, and mathematical thinking, and are beginning to make sense of the larger world through their daily interactions. Kindergarten students also meet regularly with specialty teachers where they focus on music, art, literature, Hebrew, and physical education.
Working with young children is never dull and every day brings new adventures. The love of learning (Limmud) that we strive to instill in each student is reciprocated through the joy that young children bring to school each day and we are honored to be able to play a part in guiding them into the world of knowledge.
Warmly,
Suzie Newman
Head of the Early Childhood Division
A Note From the Head of the Elementary Division
In the Elementary Division, it is our great pleasure to work with students and families in a warm, nurturing, and safe community where students engage in challenging academics and supportive social experiences.
Our 1st – 4th Grade students enter our doors every day eager to learn, play, and contribute to their community. Elementary students at Rodeph Sholom School are able to grow in a secure, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environment where they build confidence, competence, and self esteem. Our enthusiastic and highly trained teachers actively engage students in their own learning processes, and together they explore new ideas and expand their understanding of the world.
Rodeph Sholom School faculty pride themselves on meeting each student’s individual needs to help them acquire new skills, think critically, and deepen their learning. Our strong academic program offers a stimulating atmosphere where students are motivated to work with persistence, determination, and enthusiasm across all disciplines.
Students are provided meaningful foundations through Judaic Studies and Hebrew classes, which allow them to explore their personal identity, sense of self, and connect in various ways with Judaism. Through our co-curricular programs, including art, music, drama, technology, physical education, and sciences, students are provided opportunities to express themselves while discovering their passions and feeding their intellectual curiosity.
Social-emotional learning is at the heart of our program, as students are taught to recognize and manage emotions, solve problems, make good decisions, care about others, and interact respectfully and with kindness. Students develop close, positive relationships with each other and rely on these foundations as they grow and transition through their years at Rodeph Sholom School and beyond.
It is through the lens of our core values, Love of Learning, Community, and Responsibility that our Elementary students thrive. Children learn to think critically in order to make informed choices and flourish through understanding the value in taking part of something larger than themselves while understanding their responsibility to their community and others.
The spirit of our school community is palpable. The connections forged between students, families, and faculty create a unique and special place to grow up and learn. We welcome you to Rodeph Sholom School and look forward to partnering with your family as you and your child experience a Rodeph Sholom School education.
Warmly,
Rebecca Hammerman
Head of the Elementary Division
A Note From the Head of Middle School
The middle school years are infused with tremendous growth and intellectual discovery. As children become increasingly independent, they also evolve into abstract thinkers who are deeply engaged with the world around them. At Rodeph Sholom School, we honor this distinct developmental stage by shepherding students through their many changes and milestones with understanding, support, and guidance. Middle school students build upon the skills, concepts, and values instilled in them from the Early Childhood and Elementary Divisions, and we regularly find opportunities to reflect on their growth and celebrate each student’s progress and accomplishments as they move through the grades.
Through a thoughtful, developmentally conscious program, Rodeph Sholom School supports students’ cognitive and social-emotional growth. Our challenging and stimulating curriculum encourages students to think critically and engage with each other and the broader community while holding themselves to high ethical and intellectual standards. Students are given space to explore, make choices, develop self-advocacy, and remain independent within a structured and safe environment.
Of course, with increased independence comes increased responsibility. Therefore, our program is designed to guide students in making appropriate choices. Our robust advisory program supports each student’s emotional development, helps them navigate social challenges, and facilitates their ability to work together to create a strong community.
At the heart of our program is a connection to Jewish values and traditions with a strong emphasis on respect, collaboration, and responsibility for the world. Rodeph Sholom School prides itself on fostering engaged citizens and active learners who, through thoughtful questioning and analysis, not only come to hold a deep and socially conscious understanding of the world, but who also take action to improve it.
Towards the end of the middle school experience, students and families are supported through our robust, comprehensive, and highly successful high school placement process where all of the components of our rigorous academic program prepare Rodeph Sholom School students to thrive in a variety of the best New York City high schools.
Warmly,
Eve Andrias
Head of Middle School
