The dual-curricular Middle School program exposes students to more independent, self-reliant and social experiences where they are offered numerous opportunities to reflect, discuss, create, and explore in areas of Literature and Talmud, Jewish History and Social Studies, Science, Writing and Hebrew, Math and Chumash.  Students develop their academic and critical thinking skills daily, as well as hone their talents and skills in computers, fine arts, music and physical education.

Through guided weekly mentoring groups, the students also know that their teachers are there to support them emotionally in a safe, nurturing environment.

As students begin their own personal Bar or Bat Mitzvah preparation at home, they simultaneously strengthen their Jewish identity, their relationship to the land and people of Israel, and their connection to the Jewish culture and the Hebrew language in school.  Culminating their years at OHDS, the eighth grade travels to Israel for ten days, where they visit historically relevant sites and have opportunities to act in a spirit of courage and selflessness for social justice and betterment of Israel. Read more about our Israel Trip »

Prepared for and ultimately accepted to college preparatory high schools of choice, the OHDS graduate has been given the tools to master academic responsibilities, think critically, creatively, and logically, and feel deeply committed and passionate for a vast and dynamic heritage and culture.

View our Curriculum Guide »

"During my sixth grade year it was an honor to be one of three girls nominated by OHDS faculty to represent our community at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. It was quite a thrill to attend synagogue services Friday night with Senator Joe Lieberman."

Sabra Jaffe, seventh grade student