Educational Philosophy

Our educational philosophy draws on our mission: to challenge and inspire. This mission is implemented through diverse methodologies that address the individual needs and learning styles of our students. We believe that a superior education is the right of every child, and we maintain that it is the responsibility of the community - teachers, parents and students - to work collaboratively to make it so.

Westchester Fairfield Hebrew Academy is committed, foremost, to academic excellence and to developing young people who are critical independent thinkers in both general and Judaic studies. Our children are challenged in all areas of study and inspired to strive for and achieve their potential in every field. Students are expected to explore to the fullest their special interests. Only by encouraging a student's individual pursuits can we ensure that each student will develop a love of learning.

It is our strong belief that an excellent education strives to help students expand their horizons and make connections between what they learn in the classroom and the world around them. Curriculum integration must flow naturally to and from each discipline. A delicate balance must be maintained to ensure that integration enhances the students' understanding. To this end, we actively integrate Judaic and general studies disciplines with each other, as well as with technology, arts, music, and physical education.

Learning cannot be limited to the four walls of the school, but must extend the reach of its students beyond those walls. The school makes generous use of all resources available to its students including, but by no means limited to, traditional field trips, as well as extensive use of the latest technology. Computer technology is harnessed as an important tool in learning.

Our goal is to develop and implement a child-centered, hands-on, integrated curriculum. Our educational philosophy is designed to prepare WFHA students to take their place as members of the Jewish community and as citizens of the world. At WFHA, we maintain an environment that fosters exploration, experimentation, provides the tools and warm nurturing role models to support this learning.