Shining Light on Seattle’s Jewish Day School Education
December 16, 2025
At the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, we care deeply about creating strong connections and nurturing Jewish identity for all members of our community. One way we do this is by sharing information about local Jewish organizations and opportunities that help families connect, learn, and belong.
For some families, Jewish day schools can be an excellent educational option, offering rigorous academics, a warm and inclusive environment, and a supportive community for both students and parents. With open enrollment underway for the 2026–2027 school year and application deadlines for many schools falling in mid-January, now is a great time for families to explore whether a Jewish day school might be the right fit for their child.
Here in Seattle, we are fortunate to have a wide range of educational options for families with diverse affiliations and geographic locations. Each school offers a distinct educational approach and community, and families interested in finding the right fit for their child would benefit from attending open houses and touring the schools. Below is an overview of Jewish day schools in the area from elementary through high school.
Jewish Day School of Seattle in Bellevue is an inclusive learning community for children from preschool through 8th grade. JDS emphasizes intentional inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, ethical action, and a deep engagement with Jewish values and tradition. The school welcomes families of all backgrounds, whether they are Jewish or not, who share its educational philosophy.
Located in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood, SJCS offers an inclusive K–5 education, where every child is known, supported, and empowered to grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Founded in 1991, the school embraces families with a wide range of Jewish beliefs and practices. Families become part of a warm, connected community that celebrates diverse Jewish identities and inspires children to love school—fueling their curiosity, joy in learning, and meaningful friendships.
MMSC Day School, in Seattle’s Central District, provides a traditional Orthodox education to students from preschool through 8th grade. With a strong focus on character development (middot), social‑emotional learning, and intentional teaching, MMSC aims to nurture each child’s unique strengths and help students grow as confident learners and compassionate community members.
Seattle Hebrew Academy in Seattle’s Capitol Hill area is an early childhood through 8th grade Modern Orthodox Jewish day school offering academics grounded in Torah learning and student dignity (k’vod hatalmid). SHA nurtures students of character and integrity through strong secular and Judaic studies, connection to Israel, and commitment to Ashkenazic and Sephardic heritage.
Northwest Yeshiva High School on Mercer Island is Seattle’s only accredited, co‑educational, college‑preparatory Jewish high school (grades 9-12). NYHS empowers students to become sophisticated, independent thinkers while encouraging exploration of Jewish identity with intellectual honesty and depth. The school welcomes Jewish families from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to meaningful Jewish education.
The Day School Affordability Initiative through the Samis Foundation aims to remove financial barriers and make day school education accessible to all families in the area. Read more about the eligibility tools and additional support and resources provided by Samis here.
With open enrollment underway for the 2026–2027 school year and application deadlines for many schools falling in mid-January, now is a great time for families to explore whether a Jewish day school might be the right fit for their child.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is creating a space for Jewish professionals in the tech industry to connect and collaborate! Join us for a Tech Happy Hour designed to bring together engineers, developers, product and project managers, designers, data professionals, and more from across Seattle’s tech landscape.
As I woke up this morning preparing for the start of Chanukah, I was instead greeted with headlines of a mass shooting at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and Jewish Federations across the country, are horrified by this antisemitic terrorist attack.
I wish you a bright and joyful Chanukah – may this season be a time of a little more light in our world.
