Seattle Jewish Community School

Seattle Jewish Community School

Seattle Jewish Community School, referred to as SJCS, is an independent, egalitarian Jewish day school from Kindergarten through 5th grade located in North Seattle, Washington, USA. Established in 1991 as Seattle Jewish Primary School, the school later expanded to 5th grade and changed its name to SJCS. SJCS was located at Congregation Beth Shalom, then Temple Beth Am, and the school purchased its current building on October 24, 2008.

SJCS has had three permanent Heads of School in its 19-year history. Debra J.G. Butler was the founding principal and served until 1995, establishing the school's primary division. Joyce Shane was head for a decade, and led a period of growth that included expansion through the 5th grade. Upon Shane's retirement, Butler returned to SJCS to lead the transition to SJCS' current Northgate-area campus. In 2010, SJCS welcomed its most current head, Shoshana K. Bilavksy.

In addition to tuition, SJCS receives funding from individual and institutional donors including The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and the Samis Foundation.

Alumni Information

43% of SJCS graduates continue their educations in public schools, and about half of those enter advanced learning programs – including Seattle Public School’s Spectrum, Advanced Progress, and International Baccalaureate programs. 32% of graduates continue at selective, private schools; and, 25% go to Jewish day schools.

Alumni have attended: Billings Middle School, Brookside, Eckstein Middle School, Evergreen School, Garfield High School, Hamilton Middle School, Highland Terrace, Ingraham High School, Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, Lakeside, Lake Washington Girls Middle School, Nathan Hale High School, Northwest School, Northwest Yeshiva High School, Phillips Andover Academy, Roosevelt High School, Salmon Bay, Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, Seattle Girls School, Seattle Hebrew Academy, and University Prep.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Accredited by the State of Washington
RAVSAK (Jewish Community Day School Network), Member
Washington Federation of Independent Schools, Member
Northwest Association of Independent Schools, Accredited Member
Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education
Big Tent Judaism Coalition
Washington State non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation

Demographics

SJCS families come from eleven zip codes and speak English, Hebrew, and Russian as first languages in their homes. There is a broad socio-economic range, and families are both affiliated and unaffiliated with a synagogue or havurah.

Services and Specialty Curricula

Art
Before- and After-School Enrichment
Creative Dance/Movement
Learning Specialist
Library
Music
Physical Education
School Counselor
Science

Coordinates: 47°43′09″N 122°19′18″W / 47.719138°N 122.321616°W / 47.719138; -122.321616