Tampa, Fla. – Hillel Academy, Tampa’s only accredited Jewish day school ,and The Tampa JCCs and Federation, have announced that Tampa JCC Preschool will be offered at Hillel Academy, beginning in the Fall of 2018. This will be the first time that preschool has been offered at Hillel Academy, which was founded in 1970 and provides excellence in academics, technology and Jewish life for students in grades K through eight.
The Hillel Academy location, in Carrollwood, will be the third for Tampa JCC Preschool, with others located in Citrus Park and South Tampa. This new preschool is for children ages three and four.
The JCC Preschool at Hillel Academy will follow the same curriculum and philosophical approach as the other existing locations, but their schedule will mirror the Hillel Academy schedule. This program will be held during the school year, August through May, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. weekdays.
The JCC Preschool at Hillel Academy will offer the Sheva model developed through the National JCC Association. Sheva is an innovative approach to early childhood education, empowering teachers and directors, and positioning JCC early childhood education centers as examples of excellence. Sheva, which means seven in Hebrew, employs seven core principles of early care and education and contemporary and ancient texts, using seven Jewish lenses to reveal universal values. Sheva classrooms weave these values throughout their educational day.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Hillel Academy. Adding a JCC Preschool branch at Hillel Academy helps bring high quality early childhood education to the Carrollwood area. We plan to continue to collaborate with Hillel Academy to build on our traditions of excellent Judaic –and secular education for our youngest children through middle school,” said Heidi Shimberg, chief operating officer of Tampa JCCs.
Allison Oakes, head of school at Hillel Academy, noted, “This natural partnership between two Jewish educational pillars in our community provides an opportunity for us to meet the needs of the expanding population in northeast Tampa.”
At Hillel Academy, students receive a superior education enhanced by the opportunity to learn about their place in the community. Hillel Academy is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Florida Kindergarten Council, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
More information about JCC Preschools is available by contacting Jen Goldberg, executive director of education at the Tampa JCCs and Federation at jennifer.goldberg@jewishtampa.com or 813.769.4738. More information about Hillel Academy’s offerings, financial aid and tour scheduling are available by calling 813.963.2242 or emailing admissions@hillelacademytampa.com.