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At Akiva, we celebrate differences, and our teachers foster the unique creative spirit inherent in each of our children. We welcome diversity with the same enthusiasm that we embrace halacha and minhag Jewish law and tradition, allowing our students to find their place in the Jewish people's rich heritage. Our robust English, French, and Hebrew program is taught with warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity by our talented team of experienced educators. Our supportive and nurturing classroom environment fosters social and emotional growth, allowing our students to thrive academically. At Akiva, we know that happy students are successful students investing in our children's well-being is the best way to ensure that they embrace their studies with joy and confidence. At Akiva, we encourage a strong partnership with the home and promote active parent participation in our students' school life. The result is a feeling of family that permeates our halls. We welcome you to experience the joys of being part of our Akiva family. The Akiva School community all share a clear sense of purpose and a standard set of beliefs as defined in our school vision and mission statements: A community that inspires lifelong learning, spiritual growth, an enduring connection to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and a commitment to making the world a better place. We are a Jewish elementary school committed to each student's academic success, personal growth, and development of Jewish identity. Through a partnership of school and home, Akiva School fosters a nurturing and collaborative learning environment. Our students develop a love for learning and become independent, creative, and critical thinkers. The core values that guide us are rooted in Jewish tradition. They are expressed for our community in the form of Five Promises I promise: To respect me and others To treat others with kindness To respect my property and the property of others To be responsible To give my best Akiva was founded in 1968 by Rabbi Dr. David Hartman z's l and a group of parents to provide exciting, idealistic Jewish education. This tone was set by David August and strengthened by Dr. Howard Rosenblatt, the first administrator, and it remains a guiding principle. In 1988, Akiva moved to the school building of the Shaar HaShomayim, a warm, inviting synagogue in a large, greatly improved facility. Concomitantly, Cookie Levy became Head of School, and soon Akiva sustained its most substantial enrollment increase ever. In 2002, Akiva accepted two incoming classes and began the journey to doubling enrolment and increasing opportunities for students and parents by becoming a two-stream school. The decision to do this was in response to encouragement from many members of the Jewish community for increased access to the Akiva experience and, within the existing Akiva community, to share that experience with more families. That expansion was completed in 2009 with 350 students in grades K – 6. Akiva's founders wanted all families, regardless of their place on the spectrum of Jewish observance, to be comfortable and able to grow Jewishly in Akiva's respectful, stimulating environment. Their original vision remains fresh and will serve Akiva well into the twenty-first century. Home to a growing student population and, as always, an outstanding staff, Akiva is a premier Canadian school. As a community school, we encourage all those interested in Jewish education to explore Akiva, attend our Open House, meet with us in person, and learn about our core values and our approach to education. We accept applications from all interested parties; however, space constraints often prevent us from accepting all who apply. Siblings, and those families who share Akiva School's vision of education and Jewish education, are given priority. Decisions reflect our commitment to creating classes that reflect an appropriate balance of boys and girls and the varied cultural and religious orientations of the Montreal Jewish community. At Akiva School, we believe that every child can succeed. Our academic program is vibrant, dynamic, and rigorous. Our teachers inspire our children to develop a lifelong love of learning and engage in relevant, meaningful learning activities that promote the critical skills for success in the 21st century. We are committed to varying instructional strategies that speak to the strengths and needs of each child. Akiva School offers a vibrant school life to our students. School and homework together provide a range of student services, extra-curricular activities, and holiday celebrations for the entire Akiva school community. The Akiva School Ethics and Religious Culture program are given in French to all grades. Within the Ethics and Religious Culture program, we familiarize students with the diversity in Quebec society and the global world. We teach students about other religions and cultures around us. At the elementary level, students learn to reflect on ethical questions using simple and familiar situations. Students are asked to consider such topics as the needs of people and the demands of being a part of society. The Jewish religion is taught throughout all the cycles as well. Other religions are covered throughout a cycle, depending on the interest and needs of the class. Our goal is to guide students to question and evaluate their options concerning: How to be socially responsible in our world How to have constructive dialogues with an open mind. How to recognize and appreciate diversity in our world. Our students are taught to reflect and be mindful of all different religions and cultures that make up the fabric of the society around us. Topics such as racism and prejudice are explored to reinforce our students' roles in social justice and becoming productive citizens in today's world. View full school

The school has a strong ethos characterized by tolerance and responsibility. Pupils’ behavior is thoughtful and kind. Pupils show courtesy and consideration to each other. During lessons, pupils concentrate well and listen carefully. They work hard and help each other. Around the school, they behave safely and are very polite and friendly. Children said that they feel safe at school and that ‘it is like a family. Akiva is a Progressive Jewish primary school. It is an inclusive and egalitarian learning community, teaching then children to be happy, confident, and knowledgeable citizens, with a love of Israel and all aspects of their Judaism. Akiva children will understand and respect themselves, others, and the world. Akiva opened in 1981 as a one-form independent (fee-paying) school in a three-story former convent school building on the Manor House site in Finchley, North West London, which was part of the Sternberg Centre for Judaism. The Sternberg Centre for Judaism is the largest Jewish communal site in Western Europe and houses several organizations, including the Leo Baeck College (which trains Progressive rabbis and teachers), the New North London (Masorti) Synagogue, and the headquarters of the Movement for Reform Judaism. The school was the first Jewish primary school in the country to be established by the Progressive Jewish community, providing particularly for members of Reform and Liberal communities and the New North London synagogue. In 2006 it was designated as a two-form entry school in preparation for the move to the state sector in the London Borough of Barnet. With funding from the then Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) a new building was constructed on the Manor House site into which the school finally moved at the beginning of January 2008. Akiva is committed to serving its community. Akiva recognizes the multi-cultural, multi-faith, and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. Akiva follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. School dedicated to preparing Akiva children for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British Values to all our pupils. Children at Akiva behave well. There are clear whole school expectations based on respect for oneself, others, and our environment, as well as classroom codes, compiled by the adults and children, which further define expectations. Children are taught, primarily through the use of restorative approaches, to take responsibility for their behavior. Bullying and racism are not tolerated at Akiva. Our anti-bullying ethos is promoted through the curriculum and national initiatives such as Anti-Bullying Week. Akiva School aims to make sure every child reaches their full academic potential. Continual assessment is an essential part of the process. In each lesson understanding and progress can be gauged through a range of tools for teacher, peer, and self-assessment. Every term the progress of each child is formally reviewed by the class teacher, together with senior leaders, to ensure no child is falling behind and able children are fully stretched Akiva School aims to give our children a positive and confident Progressive Jewish identity. As well as being creatively integrated across the curriculum, Jewish Studies is taught in a weekly lesson following themes from Jewish history, practice, and ethics. Weekly Shiur Torah sessions start with Torah stories in Reception, increasingly engaging the children in text study. We enjoy the input of many rabbis from different Progressive communities and organizations, who come and work with the school on specific aspects of the Jewish Studies curriculum and festivals. Jewish studies specialists work together with the class teachers to provide our children with opportunities to learn about their heritage and Progressive Jewish practice in engaging and exciting ways. The school today has 420 pupils with 2 forms in each year. The school is high achieving and oversubscribed. Although it is a Jewish school, it also reflects the diversity, with a significant number of children coming from overseas. Akiva is a Progressive Jewish primary school. We are an inclusive and egalitarian learning community, teaching our children to be happy, confident, and knowledgeable citizens, with a love of Israel and all aspects of their Judaism. Akiva children will understand and respect themselves, others, and the world. Successful learning is an active partnership between children, their parents, and teachers. At Akiva: We see each child as an individual and provide a broad and dynamic Jewish and secular curriculum reflecting their needs. We expect the highest standards of learning and teaching. We provide a secure, nurturing, and stimulating environment. We work together to understand and realize each child’s full potential. We embed Jewish Studies throughout the curriculum, enhancing a positive, confident, Jewish identity. We teach our children to value being active participants in the wider community. We prepare our children to meet the challenges of a changing world. We teach our children to value all members of the school community and treat each other with kindness. View full school