A: Arizona Jewish Academy provides its students with the best academic and Judaic program, one that meets the needs of a wide range of students from various personal and scholastic backgrounds. As the school got off the ground in its initial year, it relied heavily on hybrid remote/in-person learning, which was critical in laying the school's foundation and growth trajectory. Currently, all core classes are taught by Arizona faculty, and further high school and college-level electives are taught in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU). In this way, Arizona Jewish Academy is able to tailor each student's education to meet his or her own unique needs and interests. As our school grows, we plan to increase our Scottsdale-based offerings even further.
A: In 2020, our school was founded while embracing and merging two identities. One was that of a school steeped within the guiding principles of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, of blessed memory. The other was in coordination with Shalhevet High School of Los Angeles, CA, whose support and guidance were critical during our nascent years. The school was named Nishmat Adin - Shalhevet Scottsdale in recognition of these two merged identities.
Over time, our school grew, evolved, and reflected to a significant degree, and two ideas became apparent. Firstly, that while Shalhevet is an excellent school in its own right, Arizona families had a substantial interest in growing its own independent school, without a remote component in California. Secondly, the school has expanded tremendously to include families from all across the region and even the state, and so it was important to adopt a name that accurately portrayed this identity and vision for the future.
Therefore, in 2024, the name Arizona Jewish Academy was adopted. This name reflects who we are: a school that serves and is represented by our entire Arizona Jewish community. Nishmat Adin remains as our school's Hebrew name and reflects our unwavering commitment to our educational and spiritual values.
A: Arizona Jewish Academy is currently located at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale. The JCC's beautiful building is in the heart of the Scottsdale Jewish community and offers many culinary, athletic, programming and security benefits.
A: Arizona Jewish Academy has chosen not to utilize labels in its description of its Halachic standards, and instead focuses on concepts. The idea behind this decision is to create an environment in which people of many backgrounds can feel welcome and at home. At the same time, Halachic standards are maintained and adhered to in the everyday religious decision making for the school. This includes kosher food at all school events, calendars and programming that do not conflict with or violate Sabbath and Jewish holidays, among many other decisions. School religious decision making is under the authority of Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, who is a member of AIPAC's National Council and a member of the Vaad Harabanim, the Orthodox Rabbinic Council of Arizona.
A: Absolutely! We are proud to offer extracurricular activities in STEM/robotics, journalism, creative writing, NCSY (National Council of Synagogue Youth), Women's club, league athletics, speech, debate, model congress, and more! In addition, as a new school, there are plenty of opportunities for students (under faculty mentorship) to form new clubs and programs of interest, enabling our students to develop their creativity and leadership skills.
A: Arizona Jewish Academy believes strongly in fostering a warm and connected school environment, while also providing our students with opportunities to expand their Jewish social circles. Our school creates year-round opportunities for students to bond with one another, right here in Arizona (including events around the holidays, dinners, concerts, day trips, and team-building exercises). Additionally, Arizona Jewish Academy holds occasional optional extracurricular trips to create enriching Jewish social and educational opportunities.
A: Arizona Jewish Academy aims to attract and enroll many students, but students do need to complete an application, as registration is not automatic or guaranteed. It is essential that students are evaluated for academic capability and ability of the school to support the student's needs. Each year there are two or more Visiting Days, during which prospective students can get to know the school. Arizona Jewish Academy also holds an Open House in person in the fall, so that families may get to know the school as well. In some years, an additional winter or spring Open House is held virtually, depending on interest in a second event. Students may submit an application during our early bird cycle (fee waived) or our regular cycle ($75 fee). Later applications are subject to a $100 fee. Once an application is received, an interview with our administration and faculty is set up, and the applicant is notified shortly thereafter. Enrollment decisions are made by April. Please see our Admissions page for dates and in order to apply.
A: Our tuition schedule includes the cost of tuition and travel costs. Thank you to our amazing, visionary supporters, who have helped make student scholarships possible. We are fortunate to be in a position to offer generous need-based aid to families.
We also work with student tuition organizations to help create long-term financial relationships that will make a Arizona Jewish Academy education accessible to all. To that end, we are happy to work with families in making a Arizona Jewish Academy education affordable to all.
To help support Jewish education in Arizona by taking a tax credit through Valley Tuition Organization, please visit: https://valleytuitionorganization.org/donate/ and recommend Nishmat Adin - Shalhevet Scottsdale or Arizona Jewish Academy.
A: Arizona Jewish Academy offers dual enrollment courses across the Humanities and STEM disciplines through ASU. Through this partnership, students are able to obtain college credits while in high school at no additional costs. The acceptance of ASU courses for college credit is subject to the decision of each college.
A: We have students at all different academic levels and religious backgrounds. Whether you come from a more "yeshivish" background, a more "traditional" background, or have minimal or no Judaic/Hebrew background, students are respected and celebrated fully. For those interested, we offer both introductory and advanced Judaics courses
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