Elementary and Middle School

The HHA Difference

At the HHA we believe that education extends beyond the walls of the classroom. Our school’s progressive curriculum is designed to provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and self-esteem to excel in all areas of life. Our educational philosophy places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of each child, focusing on self-development and the building of leadership skills. Our full-time school counselor provides support to both teachers and students to create the optimal environment conducive to growth.

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General Studies

Interdisciplinary integration allows students to explore core ideas across various subject matters. Integration conveys an important theological value, enabling students to see the relevancy of Jewish wisdom in modern life and the world as an organic whole.

The HHA fosters an atmosphere of inquiry and intellectual stimulation during the critical primary years, providing a setting for emotional growth in a safe and nurturing environment. Our general studies programme meets and exceeds the guidelines of the Ontario Ministry of Education, preparing and encouraging students to continue the pursuit of knowledge throughout their lives. Our goal is to enable our students to appreciate the significance of Jewish values and see their integration into the democratic traditions of Canadian and Western culture.

In addition to our homeroom teachers, our staff includes teaching specialists in Science and Nature, French, the Arts, Athletics, and Multi-Media. Our media center, athletic facilities, science lab, and Diverse Learning Centre enhance the core curriculum to provide the optimal school environment for our students' full development.

Aligned with Ontario Curriculum expectations, our school embraces "The Science of Reading" approach to literacy.

Teachers have been trained through the Science of Reading Master Class by the University of Toronto, providing a unified language and mindset for literacy instruction.

Teachers provide direct instruction and a wide variety of learning experiences in teaching foundational literacy skills in reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills).

Teachers provide direct instruction and a wide variety of learning experiences to teach foundational literacy skills in writing (Alphabet knowledge, transcription, spelling, word study, written conventions, writing processes and strategies, printing, cursive, and keyboarding).

Aligned with Ontario Curriculum expectations, our program incorporates exploratory mathematics, encouraging critical and creative thinking and empowering students to apply their knowledge to various contexts in their lives. Students explore mathematical concepts through concrete materials, pictorial representations, and real-life discussions with an emphasis on conceptual understandings and numeracy skill competencies.

In K-6, the HHA utilizes “My Math Path,” an Ontario curriculum-aligned program underpinned by the pedagogy of Singapore Math techniques. This program emphasizes conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts through structured, progressive learning.

Combining rich learning materials, direct instruction, and age-appropriate exploration, students progress from concrete to abstract thinking and grasp practical applications before transitioning to more complex concepts.

Building upon conceptual understanding and numeracy skill competencies, Singapore Math teaches students not just how to solve problems but also why the methods work. With an emphasis on mastery, its critical thinking approach has propelled Singapore to the top of international math rankings, helping students enhance their analytical skills and apply mathematical concepts to diverse scenarios.

Our Approach to Literacy

Our Approach to Math

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Hebrew Language

At our school, we embrace a Hebrew proficiency educational model designed to create a positive and immersive learning experience that builds confidence, fluency, and a genuine appreciation for the Hebrew language.

Our curriculum, "123 IVRIT," enables students to become proficient in the Hebrew language, setting them on the path to mastering the skills needed to
read and comprehend Ivrit text.

The series includes comprehensive workbooks, interactive technology, and flashcards that reinforce language skills. Lessons intentionally spiral to provide ongoing review and reinforcement to foster rich language acquisition.

Judaic Studies

Our Judaic Studies and Hebrew language programs portray Judaism as a "Torat Chayim"; a living dynamic that is both relevant and meaningful to our students.

Hebrew language acquisition begins in preschool with a proficiency-based model that builds fluency through meaningful communication with real-life purposes. These foundations are reinforced in the primary grades with an emphasis on Hebrew literacy which includes reading and writing.

In Judaics, special emphasis is placed on developing the decoding skills necessary to read classic Jewish texts in their original. In Grades 2-5, an emphasis is placed on Chumash (Bible), which expands into Navi, Mishna, and Talmud.

Beyond Jewish literacy, our value-based curriculum identifies and fosters core Jewish values and strengthens the sense of relevancy that our students have for their Judaic studies. Throughout the scholastic calendar, as the Jewish holidays approach, our school takes on special energy. Each holiday develops its own character and flavour with innovative events, projects, and programming.

One of the paramount goals of the HHA is to instill in our students a love and appreciation for the State of Israel. Exploring its history from ancient times through the present creates an important bond with the Jewish state. Throughout the school year, students are introduced to various Israeli speakers who share first-hand challenges that face our nation.

Among our many specialty teachers, the HHA employs two Israeli student instructors as part of their national service who enhance the Judaic component of our school. In addition to assisting in various classrooms and spearheading special events, these instructors teach in our Jewish studies enrichment programs. Jewish history is also incorporated within the curriculum with prominence around Yom Haaztmaut and Yom Hashoah.

Middle School Tracks

The HHA is dedicated to creating a learning environment that explores the modern relevancy and application of classical Jewish ideas and texts while respecting the diverse backgrounds and affiliations of all students. All students are embraced equally with a strong emphasis placed on subjects that unite and define us as Jews.

Our Middle school division, offers two tracks, a Culture-Based Track, and a Source-Based Track.

Culture-Based Track

Students are exposed to the richness of Jewish life by:

Examining Jewish social studies through the study of present-day life in Israel and Jewish historical figures throughout the ages.
Exploring Biblical narratives and concepts through a contemporary lens.
Investigating relevant lessons from the Talmud as they apply to modern-day life.
Fostering informed debate and critical thinking.

Source-Based Track