At Rodeph Sholom School, we seek to honor the wonders of childhood, while providing a challenging, dynamic program rooted in Jewish traditions and values.
We aim to instill passion and a love of learning in our students; to teach them to be responsible and caring citizens; to help them develop confidence in their abilities and their intelligence; and to give them the tools to be informed about the world and intentional in their approach to it, realizing their words and actions have power to make a difference.
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in Rodeph Sholom School!
Here at Rodeph Sholom School, students develop a deep love of learning while building a strong sense of responsibility to themselves and to others around them. This strong education, rooted in Jewish values, serves as a foundation for our graduates to flourish beyond their time at our school. We take great pride in the leaders we send into the world and feel blessed that they will always be a part of the vibrant Rodeph Sholom School community.
We know that finding the right educational environment for your child is a critical step in raising a family, and we want to be as helpful to you throughout this process as possible. The best way to understand what makes Rodeph Sholom School unique is to talk with us and sign up for our upcoming Open Houses, which are offered either in-person or virtually. During these events, you’ll see firsthand how students learn to live the values of reform Judaism and how these values infuse all of our classrooms and activities.
We seek student applicants who we believe will have the best likelihood for a successful and satisfying school experience. Family is an integral part of our students’ success, and we seek families who take a strong interest in their children’s development and who will partner with us to support their children’s education.
We hope you enjoy learning more about our school and we look forward to receiving your application. Please feel free to call or email any of us directly to schedule your visit. It would be our pleasure to introduce your family to our community here at Rodeph Sholom School .
Warmly,
Mitchell Daar
Director of Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives
Contact Mitch
Jessica Shaviv
Associate Director of Enrollment Management
Contact Jessica
Anne Murphy
Enrollment Management Associate
Contact Anne
Application Process
There are four components to the application process detailed below. If you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email (admissions@rssnyc.org) or phone (646-438-8600). We look forward to helping you through this process!
Key Dates
APPLICATION DATES/DEADLINES:
Our application will be live for you to submit starting September 1st, 2021. All applications are due on December 1st, 2021. You can start your application here.
NOTIFICATION DATES/DEADLINES:
As a member of the Independent School Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), Rodeph Sholom School’s notification dates correspond with the dates provided by ISAAGNY.
| Grade Entering | Notification | Parents Reply Date |
| Twos, Threes, Pre-K | Thursday, March 3rd (or later) | Thursday, March 10th (at noon) |
| Kindergarten | Thursday, February 3rd | Thursday, February 10th (at noon) |
| 1st – 8th Grade | Tuesday, February 8th (or later) | Tuesday, March 1st (at noon) |
EARLY NOTIFICATION:
Early Notification is for families who are: Current members at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Alumni, or currently enrolled in Beginners at Rodeph Sholom School. Families who opt for Early Notice, will have priority in the application process and will receive admissions decisions by Friday, December 10th. If you are interested in joining Congregation Rodeph Sholom so you can take advantage of this Early Notice opportunity, please email us at admissions@rssnyc.org and we will connect you with CRS leadership.
STUDENT AGES:
Please look at our Program Overview to see birthdates of eligibility for our grade levels.
Meet Our Team
Mitchell Daar
Director of Enrollment and Strategic Initiatives
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in: 2019
Years in Education: 15
Educational Background: BA – University of Michigan (Economics and Psychology), MBA – Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School: My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom is the people! The students, faculty, staff, and parent community all make this an amazing place to be every day.
Other things to know about me: I grew up at a Jewish Day School in Chicago and am an avid Chicago sports fan.
Jessica Shaviv
Associate Director of Enrollment
Started at Rodeph Sholom School: 2007
Years in Education: 15
Educational Background: BS – Indiana University – Education; MSEd – Hunter College – Literacy Education
Experience: I taught Kindergarten at Rodeph Sholom School for 8 years before I moved to Admissions
Favorite Subject: History
Other things to know: Over the weekends in the wintertime you can always find me skiing at Windham Mountain with my family. It’s my happy place!
Anne Murphy
Enrollment Management Associate
Started at Rodeph Sholom School: 2018
Years in Education: 15
Educational Background: B.A. – Binghamton University – English
Experience: Before joining the Rodeph Sholom School I spent nearly 10 years working to raise and maintain funding from companies for Teach For America. Prior to this, I worked at an educational facility run by The Simon Wiesenthal Center – New York.
Favorite Subject: English
Other things to know: I lived in various parts of Brooklyn for 13 years and while I now live on the Upper East Side and love all that living in Manhattan has to offer, I’ll take any opportunity I can to go back to visit Prospect Park and my favorite bagel shop!
Meet our Families
Interact with Rodeph Sholom alumni and current parents to learn about their experience at our school. Ask them questions and learn what makes Rodeph Sholom School unique.
Adi and Ori
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
3s and pre-K
Current grade(s) of children:
2nd and 4th
About this family:
We are an Israeli family that relocated from Tel Aviv to NYC five years ago because of both of our careers. Ori is a physician and Adi is in tech.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
The community. Dvar Bracha
Allison and Jay
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Beginners
Current grade(s) of children:
Twos and 1st Grade
About this family:
We love being part of the Rodeph Community and are so proud to watch our children grow at Rodeph Sholom.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Kindergarten Central Park Unit Presentation
Allison and Sean
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Beginners and Twos
Current grade(s) of children:
Twos and Pre-K
About this family:
Both of us work in Manhattan, much of Sean’s family lives in israel
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Friday night Sholom Sprouts events
Elyse and Joshua
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos
Current grade(s) of children:
Twos and Pre-K
About this family:
We are both originally from Florida. Josh is in Real Estate and Elyse is a former writer.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
The virtual Shabbats during the COVID Era. Our kids loved it and they gave me a sense of joy, normalcy, and continuity in such a tumultuous/uncertain time.
Elyssa and William
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Kindergarten
Current grade(s) of children:
3rd Grade, 6th Grade, and 8th Grade
About this family:
We are two working parents, living on the Upper East Side, and identify as more traditionally Jewish than Reform. Elyssa is a product of Jewish Day School, William is not. We love Rodeph Sholom School and have always felt comfortable.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
We love the Arts Festival each year. The talent and passion of the teachers is very obvious that evening. Getting to see how creative the students are and how excited they are to do the school projects is always a thrill. We also love the All-School Shabbats.
אראלה וערן Erela and Eran
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
שנתיים/Twos
Current grade(s) of children:
גימל, י׳ב , קולאג׳/3rd Grade, 12th Grade, and College
About this family:
משפחה ישראלית חיפשנו קשר ליהדות בקהילה תומכת ואוהדת/As an Israeli family We were looking for a connection to Judaism in a supportive and sympathetic community
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
לראות את הילדים מבטאים בביטחון את דעתם וידע שרוכשים בפני הורים ומורים. הילדים בטוחים בעצמם ולא פוחדים לנסות ולטעות. הילדים שמחים לחזור לבית ספר אחרי החופש./ Seeing the children confidently express their opinions and knowledge to parents and teachers. The Our children are confident and not afraid to try and make mistakes. The children are always happy to return to school after they have been away.
Erica and Mark
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos and Kindergarten
Current grade(s) of children:
Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, and 8th Grade
About this family:
As a rabbi and an entrepreneur who went to excellent schools that were not Jewish day schools, we were attracted to Rodeph Sholom because we felt it would provide the high caliber secular academic experience we were looking for with the added bonus of cementing our children’s Jewish knowledge and identity in a way that we feel Hebrew School does not. Looking at the educational landscape, we are grateful that Rodeph Sholom is a school where our children are taught how to think and not what to think. Students are taught to take part in the Jewish tradition of lively debate and respectful disagreements and are encouraged to be free thinkers. As we prepare for our 8th grader to matriculate to a secular high school and college, we know he has the confidence and wisdom to think critically, stand up for who he is and what he believes, and that he will continue to be the kind and compassionate person that he has grown into during his time at Rodeph Sholom.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
It is hard to pick one favorite moment. Overall, at a time when anti-Semitism and villification of Israel are on the rise, we are pleased that our children spend their days at a school where they can be proud of their identity as Zionists and Jews. We also love the warm community among Rodeph Sholom families. In addition, we love that the school knows each one of our children so well and that the faculty and administration are always willing to partner with us in helping each one of our kids reach their full potential. Watching our children and their friends grow from toddlers into confident teenagers is very special. This was particularly poignant as we celebrated all of the 7th graders becoming bar and bat mitzvah this year. We were so touched to hear Rabbi Ben Spratt share stories about the 7th graders that he remembered from the many years during which they had built a relationship in the school.
Gara and Josh
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Beginners
Current grade(s) of children:
Threes and 1st Grade
About this family:
As parents, we have felt a strong commitment to raising our children with integrity, values and a sense of self-all things Rodeph Sholom is amazing at fostering. We also wanted to give our family a warm and strong knit community in such a busy chaotic city- our experience has far surpassed our expectations.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
So hard to choose! If we had to pick one, it would likely be the culmination of my daughter’s Kindergarten project in Central Park and the students’ recreation of the park. We also will never forget the warm welcome our older daughter received on her first day back after missing the first two months of the 2020-21 school year. We have the chills thinking about it!
Jamie and Jason
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Kindergarten
Current grade(s) of children:
7th Grade and 8th Grade
About this family:
Jamie is a lawyer, and is active with various non-profit organizations.
Jason runs an industrial finance company, and went to a Jewish day school in Michigan before high school.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Our favorite Rodeph Sholom moment has probably been the same each year: when our daughters lead the school-day Shabbat service for their grade. Each year, each Rodeph Sholom student gets the opportunity to lead their classmates in prayer and song, and share their own thoughts and reflections on the week’s Torah portion. It’s always a prideful and joyous occasion to watch them share what they’ve learned and how they are connecting school to the world around them.
Julie and Fredric
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos
Current grade(s) of children:
Threes, Kindergarten, and 2nd Grade
About this family:
We often get asked ‘How is it to have 4 boys at home?’ and our favorite answer is busy. Amongst the controlled chaos of the boys running around we find time for what is important… family, education and a strong Jewish Identity. Our Jewish Identity is more conservative than reform and we embrace the Jewish practices our children are learning in school. Our boys love to learn and share what they are learning at school with the rest of the family. As much as we enjoy being with our immediate family we also enjoy spending time our extended family, which is quite large. We enjoy cooking and eating, running and roller blading. We can often be found out and about on the UWS, we’re the ones with the boys zipping along on their scooters!
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
When we were in distance learning in Spring 2020, our oldest son’s class was learning about Central Park (a Kindergarten tradition at Rodeph Sholom School). He really connected with this lesson as we live very close to the park. We spent hours as a family exploring new locations throughout the park and really felt the school/home connection.
Kara and Jon
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade
Current grade(s) of children:
4th Grade, 9th Grade (Class of 2021), and 10th Grade (Class of 2020)
About this family:
We moved here from San Francisco; our 3 sons are active in sports.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
4th Grade Poetry Readings; 8th Grade graduation
Lauren and Adam
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Beginners
Current grade(s) of children:
1st Grade and 5th Grade
About this family:
We moved to NYC from Miami and fell into the Rodeph Sholom Community. We fell in love with the school and the community right away; we feel so fortunate to have this connection while living in a big city. It was important to us that our kids are able to grow up learning and celebrating the Jewish religion, traditions and values on a daily basis.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Our favorite moment at RSS was the 4th grade poetry reading. Going back into the school building after over a year of not going in (because of COVID) was not only a memorable moment but it was a special feeling to share the space and see faculty, staff, peers and the children. We were all able to celebrate this milestone for the 4th graders together, in person and as a community.
Leslie and Marc
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School: Twos
Current grade(s) of children: Kindergarten and 5th Grade
About this family: We are both working parents (Marc is in finance and Leslie is a lawyer). Beyond the amazing community, we love that Rodeph Sholom integrates Hebrew and Jewish studies seamlessly into the curriculum.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment: Too many to name! Any Rodeph Sholom event that brings the community together is one that we cherish. For example, during peak COVID when our community was in distance learning mode, the Friday All School Shabbats were truly amazing as we could feel the connection between families, faculty and administrators even if only on Zoom. This past year, we were fortunate enough to celebrate the 4th Grade Poetry Reading in person — that was a remarkable event in that it not only showcased the growth of each graduating elementary student, but it also showed us how Rodeph Sholom makes learning something like poetry fun and rewarding.
Mar and Heather
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos and Pre-K
Current grade(s) of children:
Twos and 1st Grade
About this family:
We’re a super warm, close-knit family with multi-faith (Jewish and Catholic) and bi-national/bilingual (US and Spain) backgrounds, whose lives are continually enriched by treasured grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and beloved cultural traditions on both sides of the Atlantic. We’re raising our children Jewish and hope to provide them a strong foundation, grounded in the values and commitment to community and social justice that are hallmarks of our heritage. And we’re a same-sex couple — moms whose greatest goal is to raise our two kids to be good people who care about each other and the world, and whose interactions with others exemplify the phrase on our daughter’s favorite t-shirt: “Love is love.” (It’s cuter than that, actually… our two-year-old sees the word “love” anywhere and automatically chirps the whole mantra “love is love”… one day, the world may see the same three words in those four letters!)
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
There have already been many wonderful moments in our brief tenure at Rodeph Sholom… but if we have to choose one, it would be experiencing all-Pre-K Kabbalat Shabbat in person, with Louie playing guitar, the kids singing along, and then saying the blessings together. The kids’ and teachers’ joy was palpable!
Mindy and Jason
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
4th Grade and 6th Grade
Current grade(s) of children:
4th Grade and 8th Grade (Twins)
About this family:
We each come from traditional Jewish families and have tried to instill similar values in our children, including keeping a kosher home, having Shabbat meals and observing the major Jewish holidays. We love traveling and have schlepped our kids across the globe to experience new cultures. When possible, we try to visit local Jewish communities and have attended services in many different cities around the world including Jerusalem, Johannesburg, São Paulo and Santiago. No matter where you are the prayers always sound the same, which makes us feel at home even though we are physically thousands of miles away. Our kids spend much of their free time participating in various team sports or trying desperately to break high scores in the video games they play with their friends. We love everything about living in NYC from the parks, to the entertainment to all the fascinating people that you meet on a daily basis. More than anything, we feel incredibly fortunate to have developed so many close friendships with the parents of our kids’ friends and believe our kids are very lucky to have so many great role models that they can look up to.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
We are not sure there was a particular moment, more of a feeling. Since our older boys arrived in 6th grade, there was no more pick up or drop off so our opportunities to meet other parents and kids were very limited. And then COVID. But from the beginning, the way the school handled the shutdown, the way the Rodeph Sholom School kids welcomed our boys as their friends, both virtually and in person whenever possible, we knew we were a part of a close knit community with similar backgrounds and beliefs, a family. Without a lot of personal contact with the parents, we just knew that the boys were starting to make lifelong friendships and seeing them grow and thrive as members of the Rodeph Sholom community has been invaluable to us.
Nancy
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Pre-K
Current grade(s) of children:
2nd Grade
About this family:
I’m a Cantor. I’m currently raising my child as a single mom and I’m an older mom. I was raised in Manhattan and went to an independent all girls school and chose Rodeph Sholom because it’s a perfect combination of Private School and Jewish values. My Father was Confirmed at CRS in the mid 1940s.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
I was so bowled over with pride, seeing my son, as a Kindergarten student, get up in front of 1,000+ people and comfortably grab the microphone, with his teacher guiding him, to talk about Shabbat and the Rodeph Sholom community. His confidence and self-esteem is being nurtured every moment of every day at Rodeph Sholom.
Pat and David
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Kindergarten
Current grade(s) of children:
5th Grade (Twins)
About this family:
We are an interfaith family made up of 2 dads, incoming 5th grader twins & a Newfoundland puppy, with large extended families in NY, TN and Israel. We live downtown. And we LOVE Rodeph Sholom School!
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
4th Grade Poetry Reading
Samantha and Evan
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos
Current grade(s) of children:
Threes
About this family:
Our family has been on the Upper West Side for about 3 years now. We have a 3.5 year old son and 9 month old daughter. We love being part of the Rodeph community.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Seeing our son have so much fun at school.
Sarah and Carl
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos and Threes
Current grade(s) of children:
Threes and 1st Grade
About this family:
Our family is a blend and balance of so many different things. Caribbean and Jewish. Black and White. New York, California, Antigua. Secular but super connected Jewishly. We’re certainly not predictable 🙂
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Not sure we have one favorite moment. It’s so many small and big moments. Our oldest using her Hebrew and being excited. When learned to read and write. Our littlest having her first school Shabbat with challah. All the ways the school goes out of its way to see the needs of each child as an individual. We remember hearing the School say we’re here to help raise your children, and we’ve learned just how true this is and how amazing that support is.
Tracey and Steve
Grade(s) children started at Rodeph Sholom School:
Twos
Current grade(s) of children:
Twos, Kindergarten, and 3rd Grade
About this family:
We met on a group trip to Israel in 2007 and moved to the Upper West Side in 2010. As we prepared to start a family, we joined Congregation Rodeph Sholom. When our eldest child was born in 2013 and we began to explore pre-schools, Rodeph Sholom was an obvious choice to continue our growing family’s connection to the community and start on a new educational journey. That journey has continued with two more children, the youngest of whom will begin in the Twos this fall.
Favorite Rodeph Sholom School moment:
Preschool pickup has always been a highlight. It’s always great mingling with other Rodeph parents while waiting for the kids to be dismissed, and it’s so heartwarming when your child sees you after a few hours of separation and joyously rushes over to proudly tell you about the day’s events. Whether it be displaying the day’s art project, singing a new song, or telling you about the latest book, the ritual always brings a smile to our faces.
Open House Information
We are excited to welcome you to our school! We will be offering in-person and virtual open houses and tours to fit your family’s needs. Please see below for details.
All Open Houses, virtual and in-person, will include an opportunity to hear from school leadership and speak with current parents and students.
Attend Sholom Sprouts
Sholom Sprouts at Congregation Rodeph Sholom welcomes you into our vibrant Jewish community through Shabbat and holiday celebrations, Grown-Up & Me classes, opportunities for adult connection and more. Join a class now and start to get to know members of our community. Please note no synagogue membership is required to join these classes. Click here to find a class that’s right for you!
Program Overview
The Nursery through 8th Grade learning environment at Rodeph Sholom School allows students time and space to retain the wonder of childhood while simultaneously offering leadership opportunities and experiences that other structures preclude. As students progress through the grades, Rodeph Sholom offers appropriate challenges along the developmental continuum.
Rodeph Sholom School has three divisions:
- Early Childhood Division: Twos, Threes, Pre-K, and Kindergarten
- Elementary Division: 1st through 4th Grade
- Middle School Division: 5th through 8th Grade
Learn more about these programs below.
Tuition
Tuition at Rodeph Sholom School covers the cost of materials, fees, and insurance, as well as lunch for students in 1st through 8th Grades. All families entering Rodeph Sholom School also become members of Congregation Rodeph Sholom. Membership dues include High Holiday seats and participation in all congregational events and programs.
2021-22 Tuition
| 3 Day Twos | $22,100 |
| 5 Day Twos | $27,300 |
| Half Day Threes | $29,400 |
| Extended Day Threes | $33,300 |
| Pre-Kindergarten | $46,900 |
| Kindergarten | $53,400 |
| 1st-4th Grade | $56,300 |
| 5th-8th Grade | $57,600 |
Tuition Assistance
Rodeph Sholom School is committed to helping families afford a Reform Jewish Day School education for their children and to building a diverse geographic and socioeconomic student body. We are proud of our strong Tuition Assistance program that awards support based upon the level of need and availability of funds. All families interested in the special qualities and character of education offered at the school are encouraged to apply. This year, Rodeph Sholom School is proud to be able to award over $3.5M in Tuition Assistance to 30% of the students in the school.
Families who would like to apply for Tuition Assistance should complete an application for Tuition Assistance for the 2022-23 academic year beginning on October 15, 2021. More information to follow. Please be in touch with any questions.
All applicants for Tuition Assistance must complete their Tuition Assistance application through Smart Aid.
As you complete the application, please note the following:
- Smart School ID#: 13268
- Current Family Deadline: November 15, 2021
- New Family Deadline: January 10, 2022
Middle School Scholars Program
Rodeph Sholom School is proud to announce the Middle School Scholars Program for students entering 5th or 6th Grade who demonstrate strong academic promise and outstanding character. The program, supported by Friends of Rodeph Sholom School, aims to serve children currently in public school who would benefit from our outstanding independent school education rooted in Jewish values. The Rodeph Sholom School Middle School program prepares students to become purpose-driven leaders and thrive in a wide variety of outstanding independent and public high schools.
Students named Middle School Scholars will be awarded annual grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 to be used toward tuition. These grants will be guaranteed through the completion of 8th Grade. Please contact the Enrollment Office (admissions@rssnyc.org) for more information.
There will be a Middle School Open House on Friday, December 3rd at 9:00am where you will get a chance to hear from school leaders and meet current parents, current students, and alumni. You can register for that Open House here.
Applications to the Rodeph Sholom Middle School are due December 16th, 2021. You can apply here.
