Choosing CJDS
By Nancy Johnson
When my oldest was in his last year at Charlotte Jewish Preschool, my husband and I faced the choice of what to do for kindergarten. We checked out the three big private schools nearby. You know the ones. The ones that go all the way through high school.
The Johnson Family
We have always taken our children’ s education seriously, and as we searched for the right school, friends would ask whether we were considering the Charlotte Jewish Day School( CJDS).“ Not really,” I would reply.“ It seems too religious. I guess we’ ll check it out because it’ s right there, but I doubt it’ s the right fit for us.”
I grew up in the Southern Baptist suburbs of Atlanta, and my husband grew up Christian. I did the Sunday school thing, the bat mitzvah thing, the going to Israel thing, but I would never have considered myself particularly observant, more religious light, and certainly that school across the parking lot with the boys in kippot was going to be too much for us.
We went for a tour at CJDS,
checking off that to-do list item, so that we could move forward with the other options. We walked away from the visit changed. We didn’ t go home and throw away the other applications, but we walked away with a new perspective.
Visiting the school revealed CJDS’ s deep commitment to every child’ s education, both secular and religious, but its religious education was more about knowledge and love, not a mandate to live a certain way.
As we continued the admissions process, we grew to understand the school’ s commitment to individualized learning plans, its attention to every child’ s needs, and its desire to nurture every student so they can perform their best. When the time came to decide the best school for my child, I told my husband that if we chose one of those other private schools that went all the way through high school, we would be letting our fear of a second application process after elementary school get in the way of our child going to the school that we truly thought would be the best fit for them. In the end, we chose CJDS. It is one of the best decisions we have made for our children.
As for my concern that the school would be too religious, there is a religious aspect to it, but Judaic Studies is fun and rewarding. The school doesn’ t push a certain type of Judaism. Rather, the teachers always let the students know however their family does it is the right way for their family. And the secular education is phenomenal. The teachers are passionate about their jobs, which is evident in all they do. We have seen many presentations, displays, and projects showing us the great work they get out of the students. We
The Charlotte Jewish News- November 2026- Page 15
hear from teachers when they are concerned but also when they want to tell us something great they are seeing. And even though school is hard, my kids wouldn’ t want to be anywhere else. I continue to be impressed by all the school achieves.
When we applied to CJDS, the school only went to fifth grade. We heard some chatter about a middle school, but we expected our oldest to leave after elementary school. Well, five years later, and the school just celebrated its second eighth-grade graduating class. When CJDS first started promoting the middle school, my husband and I shrugged and thought it will be too small, they will have too much work getting it started, and it won’ t be the right fit for us. I should have known better than to underestimate this school and its administration. My son will be happily attending sixth grade next year.
Over the past few years as the middle school has become established, I have seen the astonishing work and enthusiasm that has gone into making a middle school where kids want to be and where they want to learn. CJDS understands that growing kids need more freedom and responsibility. It is a joy to watch as they explore the world around them while still in a safe environment.
Is the middle school too small? It’ s smaller than other schools, but it’ s the right size for us, and it’ s large enough that I’ m not worried about my child having enough close friends or social opportunities. Because of the size, the middle school can adapt to its students’ interests. Last year, for example, after the middle schoolers showed interest in woodworking, the school was able to bring in an instructor. When their enthusiasm grew, the students launched a business making Adirondack chairs complete with a website and actual sales! That’ s the power of an administration that is willing to listen to its students and is flexible enough to make their vision happen.
I am excited to continue to choose CJDS for my kids’ education. If you are considering what to do for your child’ s education next year, I hope you will at the very least visit CJDS and give it a chance. Like my family, you might find it is the right choice for you.
2026 Camp Fair
Find Your Summer at Camp Fair!
Thursday, November 5 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM Camp Mindy Rec Hall at Shalom Park
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