SHEFA SCHOOL

Families with elementary-aged children who have a diagnosed or suspected language-based learning disability (such as dyslexia) and want their child to receive intensive, evidence-based remediation within a Jewish day school setting.

• A 3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for essentially one-on-one or very small group instruction throughout the day.
• Evidence-based literacy programs — PAF (an Orton-Gillingham approach), the Hochman Method for writing, and multisensory math — paired with speech-language therapy.
• The stated mission is transitional: the goal is for students to build skills and confidence and return to mainstream schools, not to remain at Shefa long-term.
• The Shefa Center trains other Jewish educators in these specialized methods, meaning the teaching staff is working at the leading edge of the field.
• Pluralistic Jewish community — multiple denominations, traditions, and levels of observance are welcome in one room.

• Tuition is $88,500 for 2025-26, among the highest in the city; financial aid availability is worth asking about directly.
• Enrollment is limited to children with language-based learning disabilities — this is not a general-education option.
• The school only goes through fifth grade, so families should plan for the next step; the transition back to a mainstream middle school is part of the school's design.
• The student body is almost entirely White, which is honest to note for families prioritizing a more diverse peer environment.
• Admissions are described as rolling, but acceptance likely involves documentation of the learning profile — families should be prepared for an assessment process.