Heritage Academy is a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

Jewish day school A Jewish day school is a modern Jewish educational institution that is designed to provide children of Jewish parents with both a Jewish and a secular education in one school on a full-time basis. The term "day school" is used to differentiate s ...

Longmeadow, Massachusetts Longmeadow is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, in the United States. The population was 15,853 at the 2020 census. History Longmeadow was first settled in 1644, and officially incorporated October 17, 1783. The town was originally farm ...

. It serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is fully accredited by

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. The school is not affiliated to any specific Jewish denomination and is a member of RAVSAK, The Jewish Community Day School Network.

History

A charter to organize the Springfield Hebrew Day School was signed on March 1, 1951. The new school was housed in Kodimoh, a synagogue in

Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield is a city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States, and the seat of Hampden County. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers: the western Westfield River, the ...

, and the school saw its first graduating class in 1956. A seventh grade was added in 1959 and by 1963, additional classroom space was rented. In 1964, land in Longmeadow was acquired for the future home of the school and its name was changed to Heritage Academy. Kodimoh moved to a new building the same year, leading Heritage Academy's classes to be held in three locations: B'nai Jacob Synagogue, the Jewish Community Center, and the new Kodimoh location. The school faced closure in April 1966, but school board president Dr. Morris Borenstein appointed a committee to find a new building for the school and one was purchased in December 1966. The school moved into the Wessen House in Springfield where it stayed until 1982.“Heritage Academy Recovers From Fire”, Jewish Advocate, Boston, Mass., Mar 18, 1982, page 23 The current building on the school's present site was built in the 1980s, with a wing added in 1995. Technology has always played a large part within their curriculum; however, in April 2014, Heritage Academy partnered with World ORT to become the first pilot school in the United States to implement their technological program.

Curriculum

The Heritage Academy curriculum is aligned with the guidelines of the Massachusetts State Frameworks. Additionally, students study Jewish texts, history, ritual, spirituality, music and culture. Programs in music, art, library, physical education, academic enrichment, computer technology, science, literature and writing are offered at all grade levels.

References

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External links

Heritage Academy
on GreatSchools
Heritage Academy
on Private School Review Educational institutions established in 1950 Jewish day schools in Massachusetts Private elementary schools in Massachusetts Private middle schools in Massachusetts 1950 establishments in Massachusetts