Every Jewish family can find a school that fits — whatever your background, your level of observance, or your budget. Below we explain the kinds of Jewish schools in plain language, hand you the verified national directories that find one near you, and talk honestly about tuition help. Take your time; this page will walk with you.
Jewish education comes in more shapes than most families realize. Here are the main types, explained plainly — there is a fit for full-time, part-time, and everything in between.
Jewish preschools (often called “gan,” Hebrew for garden) introduce children from infancy through kindergarten to Jewish life through play-based learning, holidays, and Hebrew songs, and are run by JCCs, synagogues, Chabad centers, and day schools. JCC early childhood programs alone are the largest platform for early childhood Jewish education in North America, guided by the JCC Association’s Sheva Center.
About JCC early childhood educationJewish day schools are full-time private schools where children study a dual curriculum: general studies (math, science, English) alongside Judaic studies and Hebrew. Prizmah, the network organization for the field, connects Jewish day schools and yeshivas across North America spanning the full range of Jewish denominations and approaches.
Prizmah — the day school networkYeshiva day schools (yeshivos, and Bais Yaakov schools for girls) are Orthodox day schools with a more intensive Torah curriculum alongside general studies. Torah Umesorah, the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools, describes its mission as ensuring that every Jewish child in yeshivos, day schools, and Bais Yaakovs receives the highest standards of Torah education, and serves about 760 schools.
Torah UmesorahJewish high schools continue the dual-curriculum model through grade 12, combining college-preparatory academics with Judaic studies; Orthodox versions are often called yeshiva high schools (mesivta for boys). Torah Umesorah’s public directory lists elementary and secondary schools by state, and Prizmah’s national day school network includes high schools as well.
Browse schools by stateHebrew schools are part-time programs, typically on Sunday mornings or weekday afternoons, for children who attend public or other non-Jewish schools; kids learn to read and write Hebrew, explore Jewish holidays, and prepare for bar/bat mitzvah. Chabad’s CKids network, one of the largest providers, welcomes families regardless of religious background, level of observance, or affiliation, and most synagogues of every denomination run their own version.
About Chabad Hebrew SchoolsThese are the national directories and finders, each verified against the organization’s own official website. Pick the one that matches the kind of school you’re looking for.
Torah Umesorah maintains a free public directory of its member yeshivos and Hebrew day schools, organized by state and city with each school’s phone number, covering hundreds of schools across the U.S. and Canada. It is the most complete public national list for Orthodox day schools and yeshiva high schools.
Open the school directory Call Torah Umesorah212-227-1000Prizmah is the national network organization for Jewish day schools and yeshivas across all denominations, but note: it does not offer a public “find a school” search for families — its member directory is restricted to people affiliated with network schools. It is still the authoritative national address for the day school field, and families can contact Prizmah or, better, their local Jewish Federation to get the current day school list for their city.
Visit prizmah.org Call Prizmah646-975-2800Chabad.org’s free locator covers Chabad centers in all 50 states and 100 countries, and its listings include Jewish preschools, Hebrew schools, after-school programs, and Hebrew High teen programs — not just synagogues. Because most Chabad centers run a preschool and/or Hebrew school, this is one of the fastest ways to find affordable Jewish education near any address.
Open the Chabad LocatorLooking for the wider Chabad world? See our Find Your Chabad guide.
CKids, the Chabad Children’s Network, runs a dedicated directory for finding a Chabad Hebrew School near you, where children learn Hebrew reading and writing, Jewish holidays, and Jewish identity. Families are welcomed regardless of religious background, level of observance, or synagogue affiliation.
Find a Hebrew school near you Call CKids718-467-4400 ext 4359The JCC Association’s public locator lists roughly 170+ Jewish Community Centers across North America by state and province, linking to each JCC’s own website. Most JCCs run Jewish early childhood centers and preschools — together the largest platform for early childhood Jewish education on the continent — plus camps and family programming.
Find a JCC near you Call JCC Association212-532-4949One phone call can save you a week of searching.
JFNA’s finder locates your local Jewish Federation by name, city, state, or zip code, covering 146 federations and a network of 300 smaller communities; federations explicitly list Early Childhood Education & Day Schools among the services they support.
Honestly, this is the single best starting point: your local federation keeps the current, complete list of Jewish preschools, day schools, high schools, and Hebrew schools in your own city, and can also point you to local tuition-assistance programs.
Find your local FederationOpens jewishfederations.org — the Jewish Federations of North America’s official website. Or call JFNA at 212-284-6500.
Jewish learning doesn’t wait for the first day of school — and it should include every child.
PJ Library mails free, high-quality Jewish children’s books every month to families raising Jewish children — board and picture books for ages 0–8, and self-selected chapter books for ages 9–12 through PJ Our Way. Enrollment is free at pjlibrary.org/enroll, and it is a gentle first step into Jewish learning long before school age.
Enroll free at PJ LibraryYachad, the OU’s disability-inclusion organization (“Because Everyone Belongs”), supports Jewish education for individuals with disabilities, including the IVDU Schools — its formal educational arm — plus regional programs in ten regions including Los Angeles. Families of children with special needs can contact Yachad about inclusive Jewish schooling and support services.
Visit yachad.org Call Yachad212-613-8229You are not the first family to look at day school tuition and wince. Two honest truths can change the math.
Most Jewish day schools offer need-based tuition assistance or scholarships through their own admissions or financial aid office — financial aid is a standard part of day school budgets. Never rule a school out on sticker price alone; call the school and ask about financial aid before deciding.
Beyond individual school aid, some Jewish communities run city-wide day school affordability and tuition-assistance programs. These are local, so ask your Jewish Federation (see the Federation Finder above) what tuition help exists in your community.
We provide housing, meals, and assistance to those in need — clothing, supplies, or guidance. We help people everywhere — from our locations in Los Angeles, North Bay Village, Las Vegas, and Camino, and wherever the need finds us. If your family needs a hand while you sort out schooling — or anything else — we’re only a message away.
Contact Chesed FoundationPlease note: The schools, networks, and directories above are independent organizations. Chesed Foundation is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of any of them; they are listed as a public service, verified against each organization’s own official website. Programs, phone numbers, and offerings change — always verify enrollment details, schedules, and tuition directly with each school.
