Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of the ECC?

The ECC offers half day (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) and full day (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) programs in addition to a 3 day/week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) option for two year olds. All four year olds are placed in a full day program with Hebrew Immersion.

Is there before and after school care, even for my two year old?

Once a two year old’s transition is complete, we do offer day care as an option. Before school care is from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and after school care is from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Please see financial obligation sheet for rates.

Does my child need to be toilet trained?

We believe that “toileting” is a learned process. Children learn how to use the toilet in a variety of ways, either when they determine they are ready or by watching peers. Most two year olds and many three year olds have not yet learned to use the toilet but will likely do so once they start school.

Do you provide food?

We provide a kosher, healthy snack every day. We offer an optional hot lunch program Mon­day – Thursday that offers a variety of menus The meals cost approximately $7.50 per day. In addition, we have a pizza program on Fridays for an additional fee. Families may send their own kosher dairy or pareve lunch for their child.

What is the drop-off/pick-up procedure?

For children 3 and up we offer the option of a drop-off/pick-up car line in the underground garage. The garage opens at 8:45 a.m. and will close promptly at 9:00 a.m. There will be staff downstairs to bring your child to class. The garage will open for pick up at 1:00 p.m. and close at 1:15 p.m. (3:00 – 3:15 for full day students). If you miss the garage, please park your car and come to your child’s classroom. If your child is younger than three in September, you may park in the synagogue parking lot (if space permits), on La Cienega Blvd. (after 9:00 a.m.), or in the tennis parking structure on La Cienega Blvd. and Gregory Way to drop-off or pick-up your child in his/her classroom.

How can I be involved?

We encourage our parents to be involved at many levels. We have an active and ambitious Parent Association with many opportunities from support to leadership positions. In addition, our teachers love to have you in the classroom. Whether you help with baking, assist with an art project, read a story, chaperone a field trip, or just lend an extra set of hands, your involve­ment is always welcome.

What is the religious atmosphere of the ECC?

We offer a fully integrated program. Our curriculum units flow smoothly so that children feel an integration between their “Jewish” selves and their “general” selves. We celebrate Shabbat and the holidays in a way that is meaningful, age appropriate, and joyful. We encourage the children to experience God’s presence every­where, from the classroom, to the synagogue, to the sandbox, raising their awareness of their own special place in God’s world. Our day begins with t’fillah (prayer), our snacks and meals begin with blessings, and our lunch ends with the reciting of the Birkat HaMazon (blessing said after meals). We enjoy a lovely Kabba­lat Shabbat service on Friday mornings in the Temple Beth Am chapel.

What is Hebrew Immersion?

This is the process of introducing Hebrew as a second language using the natural approach. All research shows that the optimum age to introduce a second language is between the ages of three and seven when the first language is acquired. The system we use introduces Hebrew in the most natural, stress-free way, the same way they are acquiring English.

How does Hebrew Immersion work?

Although Hebrew is introduced in all of our classes, our Pre-K (four year old) classes have 2 ½ hours a day of complete immersion and our three year olds have the option of taking a Hebrew Immersion “elective” in the the afternoon.

What immunizations does my child need for grade school, preschool or day care?

California law requires all children enrolled in state schools, both public and private, to have certain doctor-recommended immunizations, or receive them when they enroll.

Immunizations required to enter Child Care (ECC):

• Polio
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

Follow these links to see detailed immunization requirements for child care and school entry in California.

We do not allow for any personal, religious or philosophical exemptions. We do permit for the rare true medical exemption when a student cannot receive a particular vaccination due to medical contraindications. In these rare cases, the licensed physician must submit the standardized medical exemption request form through the California Immunization Registry (CAIR). A student provided an exemption from a licensed physician will be required to provide evidence of a valid contraindication prior to the first day of school, based on the recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

How long is the school day?

Is there extended care after school?

The school provides several forms of after-school care based on parent interest. For children enrolled in our Early Childhood Center, Gesher, or Kindergarten, we offer The Kid’s Club, a program of supervised inside and outside play. This extended care is offered Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., and Fridays until 4:00 p.m. For children enrolled in 1st and 2nd grade, we offer our Jr. Homework Club where children play and do homework in a supervised setting. Students grades 3-8, may participate in our Homework Club. Students have outside playtime, supervised homework time, and library usage when appropriate. All programs include a snack.

For children enrolled in our Early Childhood Center and Gesher we offer The Kid’s Club, a program of supervised inside and outside play and Homework Club based on parent interest, for Kindergarten. This extended care is offered Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., and Fridays until 4:00 p.m. For children enrolled in 1st and 2nd grade, we offer our Jr. Homework Club where children play and do homework in a supervised setting. Students grades 3-8, may participate in our Homework Club. Students have outside playtime, supervised homework time, and library usage when appropriate. All programs include a snack.

What about lunch?

Our Parent Association contracts with a Kosher caterer to provide a variety of hot, nutritious lunches for students four days a week. The meals cost approximately $7.50 per day. Fridays are “Pizza Days” at Pressman Academy. For an additional cost, children can receive pizza every Friday. We are a nut free campus.

What after school activities can my child participate in?

Pressman Academy has an outstanding after school enrichment program, hugim. Activities include art, cartooning, chess, dance, drama, karate, marine biology, science, soccer, tech, tennis, yoga, and more. There are two sessions each year: Fall and Spring.

How can parents get involved?

Parents are encouraged to get involved in a variety of ways, including taking part in the active and vibrant Parent Association, serving on various committees, becoming room parents, volunteering to help with class projects, fundraising and volunteering in the library.

Where do Pressman graduates attend high school?

Over the last three years, Pressman Academy graduates have been accepted to the following schools:

Beverly Hills High School
Crossroads
de Toledo
Hamilton Music and Humanities Magnets
Harvard-Westlake
Oakwood
Milken
New Roads
Shalhevet
Wildwood

What is the religious atmosphere at Pressman Academy?

We are affiliated with the Solomon Schechter Day School Association, the national organization of Conservative Jewish schools. Our school promotes the egalitarian and halakhic(Jewish legal) approaches of Conservative Judaism to ritual and practice.T’fillah(daily prayer) is an essential component of our curriculum. All food served at school is kosher. We celebrate Shabbat and the Jewish holidays as a school community. Pressman Academy is committed to the State of Israel and to a pluralistic approach to the broader Jewish community. Our families represent a wide spectrum of Jewish observance, from secular to Modern Orthodox.

What if I need tuition assistance?

Pressman Academy is committed to providing tuition assistance based on demonstrated need. These are one-year awards; families must reapply annually. Despite our deep desire to make a Jewish Day School education available to all children, the Academy has limited financial resources.

For information regarding financial aid, please contact Dave Moeckler (dmoeckler@pressmanacademy.org).

What if my child does not know Hebrew?  

In the middle school, we group students in Hebrew and math according to ability. New students’ skills are assessed and they are placed in the appropriate level. There is movement between the levels, so if a student shows improvement, he/she will be moved to a higher level. Upon acceptance, we may require a new student to begin Hebrew tutoring which helps smooth the student’s transition in the fall.

How will my child be accepted if current students have been together since preschool?

It is true that many middle school students attended our Early Childhood Center or entered Pressman Academy in Kindergarten. However, new students enter our school at every grade and, because our school is small, our students welcome new faces and new friends.

Is my child permitted to walk home?

If a child lives within walking distance and his/her parents provide written permission to the school, Middle School students are permitted to walk home.

Do you require applicants to take the ISEE or other exams when applying?

Applicants must provide the school with transcripts from the previous three years. As part of the application process, we require a Confidential Teacher Recommendation Form completed by one of the applicant’s teachers. Applicants to K and 1st grade come for a 2-hour classroom visit.  During this time, our principal will get to know your child.  Second through seventh grade applicants spend a full day visiting our school. During this time, our principal or dean will conduct assessments as follows:

Math-2nd grade and up; Writing-4th grade and up; Hebrew-3rd grade and up.

What immunizations does my child need for grade school, preschool or day care?

California law requires all children enrolled in state schools, both public and private, to have certain doctor-recommended immunizations, or receive them when they enroll.

Immunizations required to enter Child Care (ECC):

• Polio
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

Immunizations required to enter Kindergarten:

• Polio
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (Chickenpox) 

Immunizations required to enter 7th grade:

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster (Tdap)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

Follow these links to see detailed immunization requirements for child care and school entry in California.

We do not allow for any personal, religious or philosophical exemptions. We do permit for the rare true medical exemption when a student cannot receive a particular vaccination due to medical contraindications. In these rare cases, the licensed physician must submit the standardized medical exemption request form through the California Immunization Registry (CAIR). A student provided an exemption from a licensed physician will be required to provide evidence of a valid contraindication prior to the first day of school, based on the recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.