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Discover the Lerner Way!
The Sandra E. Lerner Jewish Community Day School opened in 1995 as the first school of its kind in the Triangle region of North Carolina. We serve students kindergarten through fifth grade and are accredited through the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).
A powerful vision for the future!
The Lerner School began when a passionate group of parents wanted to offer high-quality Jewish day school educations to families in the Triangle. Under the leadership of Founding Director Simone Soltan, the school opened up as the Jewish Community Day School with one combined kindergarten and first grade class of 13 students in the old Judea Reform Building.
Supported by generosity!
With the assistance of dedicated volunteers and generous donors, the school purchased land from Judea Reform two years later, in the fall of 1997. This land became the permanent home and current location of the school.
Our namesake!
The Lerner School is named in honor of Sandra E. Lerner. Ms. Lerner is a graduate of Hunter College, where she received a B.A. in psychology and an M.S. degree in education. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mercy College. Ms. Lerner retired from her position as Deputy to the President for High School and Educational Initiatives at Lehman College of the City University of New York. She has received numerous awards for her commitment to education, and has served on several advisor boards.
The Lerner School is proud to be named for such a gifted and dedicated educator and leader.
Our mission!
At The Lerner School, we are committed to achieving the highest standards of academic excellence, fostering learning of Jewish values, culture, and traditions while building a diverse and caring community, one student at at time.
Eight ways we practice our beliefs!
One Student at at Time
The Lerner School believes that each student is an infinitely valuable and unique individual. We challenge students intellectually, while simultaneously fostering their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development. We believe in individualized instruction and low student-to-teacher ratios. We strive to meet students at their level, accommodating both gifted students and those with learning differences.Academic Excellence
The Lerner School helps each student achieve their full academic potential. We seek demonstrable academic excellence, as measured by ongoing observations, informational assessments, and standardized tests. We teach our students to think critically so that they emerge as independent thinkers and self-motivated lifelong learners. We view our outstanding faculty as an integral part of achieving academic excellence.Jewish Continuity, Community, and Culture
The Lerner School assists all students in developing a positive Jewish identity and pride in their Jewish heritage. We preserve Jewish culture through teachings about Torah, mitzvot, prayer, Hebrew, and Jewish history and literature. We teach each student how their actions can positively impact the ongoing history of the Jewish people, thereby encouraging Jewish community. We foster a sense that our students and families are part of a larger Jewish community, one we must all support and that will support us.A Pluralistic, Diverse Environment
The Lerner School embraces all segments of Jewish life and is not affiliated with any one religious movement. We teach students to respect differences and to recognize and celebrate the commonalities, shared experiences, and richness of varied Jewish traditions. We welcome all families and are committed to providing a Jewish education for any family that desires one, regardless of financial resources. We therefore provide substantial need-based financial scholarships. We seek a diverse student body and delight in the tapestry of nationalities and languages represented at the school.Hands-on, Integrated Learning
The Lerner School teaches that learning should be continuous and interrelated, not compartmentalized. We use an integrated curriculum that facilitates learning by providing a variety of approaches to a given subject. We enhance students’ love of learning by engaging their senses and allowing them to interact with their environment through hands-on learning, a focus on real objects, and concrete materials. We enrich General Studies programs with appropriate Jewish teachings and values.A Community of Lifelong Learners
The Lerner School values self-motivated, enthusiastic, lifelong learning for our students, teachers, parents, and administrators. We engage multi-generational members of our community in teaching and learning — for example, older students mentor younger ones, and students and community elders engage each other. We provide teachers with ongoing professional development.A Safe and Caring Community
The Lerner School is a loving and secure environment. We teach students to treat each other with respect and care. Our teachers move beyond the boundaries of their classrooms to know each student in the school. The Lerner School families provide support for each other, a sense of belonging, and a strong community spirit. We value parental input and encourage parental involvement.Social Responsibility and Ethical Thinking
The Lerner School integrates the values of Tzedakah (charity), G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), and Kavod (respect) into students’ daily experiences. We teach students to appreciate and respect the natural environment, seeing themselves as guardians and protectors of the Earth and all its resources. We model respectful, moral, and loving behavior in all aspects of school life. We seek to have students emerge from The Lerner School with the highest sensitivity to the needs of those around them and a desire to participate in building a just and caring world.
The Lerner School hours:
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4pm
Phone = 919-286-5517