FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• With which branch of Judaism is Sinai Academy affiliated?
• How many students are in the school?
• How early can my child start preschool?
• Does my child need to be potty trained to start preschool?
• Does Sinai offer a full-day preschool and kindergarten program?
• When should we apply to Sinai Academy?
• Will the environment at Sinai Academy be more or less religious than my home environment?
• How does Sinai divide time spent on Judaic and general studies?
• What schools do the children attend after fifth grade?
• How fluent in Hebrew is the typical Sinai graduate?
• Does Sinai have bus service to the school?
• How much is the tuition?

Q: With which branch of Judaism is Sinai Academy affiliated?

Sinai is not affiliated with any branch of Judaism. Drawing from a diversity of backgrounds, our community includes families whose practice and observance of Judaism vary widely, as well as families with one or more non-Jewish parent(s). Sinai is co-educational and egalitarian; within these basic parameters, students are encouraged to explore Jewish traditions from many different vantage points, and to honor and respect the differences around them while cherishing their own belief system. Experiencing such religious and cultural richness in an open and respectful setting will help our children to confront boldly and creatively the complexities of living a meaningful Jewish life in the modern world.

Q: How many students are in the school?

There are currently 27 students enrolled at Sinai Academy.

Q: How early can my child start preschool?

According to Massachusetts state law, children must be 2 years 9 months old before starting preschool. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Q: Does my child need to be potty trained to start preschool?

No. It is our experience that the preschool environment is helpful to catalyze the process when children are ready for it.

Q: Does Sinai offer a full-day preschool and kindergarten program?

Yes. Sinai offers both a full-day and a half-day preschool program. Our kindergarten program is full-day only.

Q: When should we apply to Sinai Academy?

Applications for admission to Sinai Academy are available in March for the upcoming school year. The deadline for applications depends on the number of applications received and the number of anticipated openings. Admission visits to the school are encouraged all year long.

Q: Will the environment at Sinai Academy be more or less religious than my home environment?

The student body at Sinai reflects families’ religious practices ranging from modern Orthodox to traditional Conservative to Reform, and includes families with two Jewish parents, as well as those with one or more non-Jewish parent(s) and “Jews by choice.” Practices such as kashrut, daily prayer, and observance of the Jewish holidays are integral to the Sinai education, but students are taught to respect the multitude of approaches to Jewish tradition. Our goal is for students to carry with them warm memories, a firm footing of knowledge and skills on which to build their own Jewish identity and a connection with Israel, the Jewish community and all of humanity.

Q: How does Sinai divide time spent on Judaic and general studies?

As a general rule, children spent about 70% of the day in general studies and 30% in Judaic Studies/Hebrew. However, Judaism is woven in the day fabric, when we say blessings before and after meals, greet visitors with Hebrew words, integrate the study of Jewish history in social studies units, or celebrate a special accomplishment with the Shehechayanu blessing. Judaism is seamlessly integrated in the class when the children discuss tzedakah during a successful read-a-thon, solve a conflict in the playground, or celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat together.

Q: What schools do the children attend after fifth grade?

Sinai Academy graduates excel at Jewish Day schools, secular independent and public schools. A special accelerated Hebrew School program at Knesset Israel Synagogue in Pittsfield recognizes the advanced Jewish knowledge and superior Hebrew skills of Sinai students, and enables them to continue building upon their Jewish education during and after graduation.

Q: How fluent in Hebrew is the typical Sinai graduate?

Students at Sinai Academy are exposed to Hebrew from preschool, and develop good reading and basic conversation skills as they advance through the curriculum. Graduates will feel comfortable in any synagogue and be able to follow religious services without difficulty, as well as read from the Torah.

Q: Does Sinai have bus service to the school?

Sinai Academy offered bus service from September 2004 through last year, with stops in Lenox and Great Barrington. The service may be resumed with sufficient parental interest.

In the past, the bus accommodated students in the preschool, day school and after school programs. Arrival time at Sinai was at 8:15 am. In the past, the bus left Sinai at 3:30 pm on Monday through Thursday, and at 3:00 or 3:30 pm on Fridays, adjusting with Daylight Savings Time.

Contact us for transportation rates, schedules and other information.

Q: How much is the tuition?

The tuition for the 2004-2005 academic year is as follows:

Preschool
Registration fee (all students –non-refundable; not applicable to tuition): $100

Please contact the school for current tuition rates for full and half-day students in preschool.

Day School Grades (kindergarten to fifth)

• Please contact the school for current tuition rates.

After School Program (all students)

• Please contact the school for current rates.

Contribution to the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires (all students): $18

Tuition Incentive Program

Thanks to the generosity of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is available to all Jewish K-5 students and effectively reduces the amount that eligible parents are required to pay to $4,175. Jewish students in kindergarten and first grade who attended a Jewish pre-school will receive an Enhanced TIP, which effectively reduces the amount eligible parents pay to $2,925.

Please note that it is the hope of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that our families are inspired to make a fully tax-deductible donation to Sinai Academy, in part, or up to, or beyond the subsidized amount, in recognition of the TIP. The program is guaranteed to continue as long as the child is part of Sinai Academy.

TIP does not apply to the preschool, however, those students who have attended a Jewish preschool program, at Sinai or elsewhere, are eligible for an additional TIP subsidy of $1,250 per year for kindergarten and first grade at Sinai.