General Studies

Students develop skills in comprehension, analysis, writing, and more while gaining a broad exposure to novels, poetry, plays, other texts, and film.  Classes include Literature and Composition Courses in American and World Literature; Introduction and Senior Literature and Composition Courses; Underclasman and Upperclassman Writing Skills Workshops, and College-Level English Composition courses in conjunction with ASU. 

Courses are divided school-wide by skill level, through small classes with excellent teacher support, using a scaffolded approach that builds mastery.  Courses include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and AB Calculus. Statistics, Financial Math, Consumer Math, and BC Calculus courses are taught in conjunction with ASU.

Students gain broad exposure to the world around us.  Courses include American History, World History, Government, and Economics.  Students also complete an experiential learning activity in Arizona History and Government.  Additional electives that our students have taken include Psychology, Communications, Modern Global History, and Sociology.

Science at Arizona Jewish Academy instills our students with curiosity about the physical world around them, while providing them with knowledge and skills in a variety of scientific disciplines.  Courses include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science, with additional electives available in Anatomy and Physiology.

Students develop speaking, reading and writing skills in Hebrew Language, ranging from introduction to Hebrew to college level coursework in partnership with Bar-Ilan University, and everything in between. Students also have the option to take additional courses in other languages.  Courses previously taken include French, Spanish, Sign Language, and Mandarin. 

Our broadest category, CTE courses are electives chosen by students that match their personal and professional interests.  Courses have included Art, Engineering, Photography, Game Development, Organizational Leadership, Personal Finance, Culinary Arts, Entrpreneurship, and Cybersecurity.

Physical Education is offered at all grade levels, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and trainers at the JCC. Students also take a variety of health and wellness courses, with options available in Health and Wellness, Nutrition, First Aid, and Social Emotional Learning through a Torah lense.

Courses are divided into honors text-based courses and grade level courses centered around Tanach and the Arts (think Art, Theater etc and thematic connection to Torah content).   Text skill building courses are also available to prepare students for more rigorous coursework.  

Two tracks are offered.  Grade-level courses, which utilize Mishna and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, is topic-based and incorporates skill-building.  Honors text-based courses are primarily focused on textual Talmud study.  Tractates include Brachot, Sanhedrin, Bava Kama, Bava Metzia, and Kiddushin.

Students gain knowledge of this critical period in Jewish History. Courses include Yesoshua/Shoftim, Shmuel, Melachim, and Neviim Achronim (latter prophets)

Understanding our history is critical to our Jewish identity. Students take courses in Jewish History, the Holocaust, annd Israel Education.

Students gain an appreciation for Jewish life and living, applying Jewish law to modern scenarios.  Topics include Practical/Every Day Halacha, Kodsh and Holy, and Sacred Text and Prayer.

Students are able to take a variety of courses on Jewish topics of their own interest.  Courses include Philosophy of Rabbi Steinsaltz, G-d and Spirituality, Chassidus, Mesilas Yesharim, Megillah, Sichos, Moot Beit Din, Daniel/Ezra/Nechemia.  We are open to creating more electives, depending on area of student interest.