Search the Community

We are proud to be an independent, Pre-K - 12 Jewish day school drawing students from communities all over the state of New Jersey and parts of New York. Founded in 1965, Golda Och Academy's three pillars – academic excellence, Jewish identity and values, and community – are the critical elements that serve as the foundation to prepare our students for their academic journey both here in our school and for the rest of their Jewish lives. Located in West Orange, New Jersey, Golda Och Academy is an accredited private independent school, educating students in a flexible and caring environment that nurtures their minds and spirits. In Solomon Schechter schools' tradition, we ground a dual academic curriculum in the culture and tenets of Conservative Judaism while welcoming students and families from a range of synagogue affiliations and Jewish expression. Our mission is to nurture each student's unique potential through exceptional Jewish and general studies education. Innovative Jewish thinkers begin their journey here. Our students explore the world through the lens of Jewish values and develop a love of learning, a personal relationship with the State of Israel and its people, and a commitment to the world's betterment through Tikkun Olam. Our school is located on two campuses — one for the Lower School and one for the Upper School — located about two miles apart in West Orange, 25 minutes from New York City, serving approximately 500 students from more than 70 communities across New Jersey. Golda Och Academy, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin in administering its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. We offer our students a rigorous dual curriculum that challenges them to think and seek answers to life's essential questions. Our exceptional faculty inspires our students to think critically while exploring and collaborating inside the classroom. At the same time, our wide range of athletic, artistic, and experiential opportunities provide our students with the ability to grow outside of the classroom as well. When our graduates leave the halls of Golda Och Academy, they are prepared to take on leadership roles due to their engagement and exploration of Jewish life, texts, traditions, and values throughout their time in our school. They understand what it means to live an ethical and just life and have developed a strong connection with the Jewish people, the Torah, and the land of Israel. We expect a lot from our students, but we support them entirely as they grow and stretch the boundaries of their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. At every level, academic learning is enriched by particular subjects, such as art, music, and physical education. Technology is key to what we do. Our classrooms are equipped with computers, SMARTboards, iPads, and ceiling projectors as valuable tools in the learning process. Varied venues of learning — in classrooms, at extracurricular activities, and on trips — capture students' enthusiasm and interest at every age and phase of development and promote their love of learning, leadership skills, and social and academic self-confidence. At every level, academic learning is enriched by particular subjects, such as art, music, and physical education. A vigorous STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program, based in part on the Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network curriculum that emphasizes real-world problem-based learning, is key to what we do across all disciplines. Varied venues of learning — in classrooms, at extracurricular activities, and on trips —capture students' enthusiasm and interest at every age and phase of development and promote their love of learning, leadership skills, and social and academic self-confidence. At Golda Och Academy, our students do more than learning. Nurturing relationships with teachers in small class sizes enable our students to build an identity as individuals and community members. We guide each student to achieve their unique intellectual, creative, and social potential through an enduring commitment to academic excellence and Jewish learning, always focusing on each learner's individual needs. We provide an optimum learning environment in newly renovated and expanded campuses with facilities that enable and promote a modern education. Our classrooms are equipped with computers, SMART Boards, iPads, and ceiling projectors as valuable tools in the learning process. Other resources include technology-enhanced libraries, art studios, music studios, science labs, technology labs, and modern, renovated gymnasiums. Lower School (PreK - 5) Address: 122 Gregory Ave, West Orange Postal Code: 07052 Phone: +1 973 6023700 View full school