Kindergarten
The year curious learners become confident students
Kindergarten is the pivotal bridge between early childhood and elementary school.
At Mercaz Academy, Kindergarten students learn to think independently, work collaboratively, and embrace new challenges while building strong foundations through four pillars: academics, Jewish learning, social-emotional development, and co-curricular enrichment activities.
Academic Foundations
Students become readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, and problem-solvers through engaging, hands-on learning
Social &
Emotional Growth
Each child’s social and emotional development is nurtured to promote sensitivity, resilience, independence, and communication
Jewish
Identity
Jewish pride and knowledge grows through tefillah, Hebrew, Torah learning, holidays, and a deep connection to Israel
Enrichment & Specials
Beyond the classroom, Kindergarteners experience music, gym, library, technology, science, and GrowTorah
Kindergarten Curriculum
Kindergarten students learn by doing. Every lesson is designed to be active, engaging, and meaningful, combining direct instruction with hands-on exploration, collaborative learning, and real-world experiences. Whether strengthening literacy through Fundations, exploring math with manipulatives, investigating scientific concepts with experiments, or bringing Jewish learning to life through music, art, and drama, students are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and make meaningful connections across the curriculum.
Literacy
Our comprehensive literacy program supports a strong reading and writing foundation.
Reading comprehension
Letter & sound mastery
Sentence writing
Vocab development
Story writing
Phonemic awareness
Fundations
Guided reading
Math
Hands-on learning with manipulatives teaches deep mathematical understanding.
Shapes & geometry
Addition & subtraction
Number recognition
Measurement
Number sense
Mathematical reasoning
Ordering numbers
Problem solving
Science
& Social Studies
Students become thoughtful observers of the world around them.
Geography
National holidays
Maps
Experimentation
Scientific inquiry
Observation
Community & civics
Life & Earth science
Judaic Studies
Jewish learning and meaning are woven throughout every school day.
Aleph Bet
Shabbat & Chaggim
Parsha
Daily tefillah
Hebrew language
Early Hebrew reading
Middot & Jewish values
Love of Israel
Social-Emotional Growth
Mercaz Academy nurtures the whole child. Through our comprehensive Social-Emotional Learning program, taught by our school counselor, children learn at an age-appropriate level to communicate respectfully, solve problems collaboratively, manage emotions, and demonstrate empathy, resilience, and responsibility. These skills strengthen friendships, support academic success, and help students grow into confident, competent, emotionally intelligent kids — and adults.
Through SEL, Kindergarten students practice...
❤️ Recognizing and managing emotions
🤝 Building healthy friendships
💬 Communicating with kindness and respect
🧩 Resolving conflicts thoughtfully
🌱 Persevering through challenges
🎯 Making responsible choices
✨ Showing empathy and inclusion
🙋 Contributing positively to the classroom community
Some of Kindergarten's most memorable moments happen outside of the classroom. From tending our GrowTorah garden to discovering new books, making music, and exploring technology, students experience learning in ways that spark curiosity, encourage new interests, and enrich the school day.
Beyond the Classroom
Phys Ed
Building teamwork
and healthy
habits
Library
Cultivating a
lifelong love
of books
Ed Tech
Learning tech skills through purposeful exploration
Music
Developing rhythm, creativity, and self-expression
GrowTorah
Connecting sustainability, nature, and Torah
“Nurturing environment and passionate teachers.”
We are incredibly grateful for the love, care, dedication, and support our child received in kindergarten. The nurturing environment and passionate teachers helped build confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning. We highly recommend Mercaz Academy to any family looking for a school with a strong sense of community, a love for Israel and Judaism and genuine love for one another.
Kindergarten parent
Come see for yourself!
Questions about our program or our school? Reach out directly to our Director of Admissions Abra Kaplan:
admissions@mercazacademy.org
1.516.696.4200 ext. 527