FAQs

Our ratio of terrific TA students to super TA staff is currently about 6:1.

PreK: Monday -Friday 8:30 am-12:00 pm. Pre-arranged Lunch Bunch and extended hours available. K-8: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-3:45 pm, Friday 8:30 am-3:00 pm (2:00 pm during the winter when sunset is early).

Torah Academy expects each student to dress in a way that reflects self-respect and respect for our learning environment. We have a sharp-looking school uniform for grades 1-8 from Land’s End. Check out our guidelines here. Further details are available in our parent guidebook.

We are dedicated to ensuring that every Jewish family can provide an exceptional Jewish and General Studies education for their children. No child will be turned away due to financial considerations. There are multiple external scholarships available, including but not limited to: SGOs (Empower Illinois, Big Shoulders Fund), Oorah, JUF Right Start, Nechomas Yisrael, and The Kehillah Fund. Torah Academy also provides need-based institutional scholarships. We are readily available to assist you through the scholarship award process. Please call Stacey at the school office, 847-243-8567, for assistance.

Prearranged weekly early drop off (8am) and late pick up (5pm) are available for an additional fee. Please contact the school office to discuss. Early Drop Off: $6/child/day Late Pick Up: $12/child/day

The use of Hebrew as a spoken language, coupled with our progressive, integrated, experiential curriculum, develops each child’s capacity for complex learning. The study of original Biblical texts helps develop linguistics, critical thinking and analytical skills. In addition, managing a dual curriculum of Jewish and General Studies, children develop organizational and time management skills which lead to better study habits. Torah Academy’s challenging and multifaceted curriculum prepares our graduates for advanced study in any area of interest. Torah Academy promotes Jewish values and ethics, Torah wisdom and traditions in each individual child.

Yes. At Torah Academy, the General Studies program is guided by the same basic state standards used in schools across Illinois and taken to a higher level. Students do not get less, they get more. Children progress at their own pace and are challenged at their level. No child is locked into their chronological grade curriculum if they are ready for more. Our text-based Jewish curriculum sharpens the skills students need to succeed in their General Studies as well. The focus on Hebrew text and language skills trains our students to question and analyze, and to be discerning readers — skills needed to be strong readers and thinkers in any language.

Absolutely! Torah Academy respects students and families at all levels of observance and Jewish practice, and is a place in which diverse Jewish families can become friends. Our school community encourages these connections and a mutual respect that is not dependent on levels of observance or nationality. It is our goal that each child and each family feel comfortable and accepted in our Torah Academy family.

Yes. This is a pedagogical choice we really believe in and its benefits are multiple and diverse. Check out our "Why Multi-Age?" page to learn more.

Yes! Our school community reflects a variety of family backgrounds, languages, observances, synagogue affiliation (or not!), student academic strengths, and socioeconomic diversity. We firmly believe that every Jewish child deserves a Jewish education. Period.

Yes! We believe in the importance of integrating all these enriching disciplines throughout our day. Torah Academy's long list of past and current offerings includes music, art, chess, coding, physical education, gardening, and STEM. Our students have two recess times daily to get their bodies moving and their brains energized to learn, which also facilitates interaction between children of different grades as a school community.

Children entering Pre-K3, the youngest level in our ELC, must be three years old by the first day of school. Torah Academy is guided by the state, but as a private school we maintain flexibility in our admissions decisions for Pre-K4, Kindergarten and school age children, based on the child’s social/emotional maturity and academic prowess. We are committed to getting to know each child who applies for admission, and together with parents, determine the best class placement for a child.

Torah Academy is located in Buffalo Grove just off of Lake Cook Road. Our suburban campus is only 15 minutes from Lake Zurich, 16 minutes from Northbrook, 23 minutes from Skokie, and 35 minutes from West Rogers Park. We recently completed construction to expand our space for the 2022-2023 school year. We're proud of our bright, airy, welcoming classrooms and up-to-date office and common areas. There is a gated play space and playground equipment for outdoor recess.

Our teachers get to know their students very well - their gifts and their challenges. Whereas traditional classrooms teach to the middle, which leaves the bottom students lost and the top students bored, our creative, forward-thinking teachers offer open-ended assignments and tailor their curriculum expectations accordingly. Through our multi-age classroom settings, flexible ability grouping, and a low student-teacher ratio, we are able to teach each student, not just cover curriculum topics. Both gifted students and those that need support blossom and succeed in our program.

The majority of our local students are carpooled to and from school, while students from Chicago and Skokie commute together with staff members from the area. We are happy to help connect you with options; call the office to make arrangements.