She’arim Lower School Program at MJBHA

Grades K-8

The She’arim program (K-8) of the Sulam School opened in 2010-11 with lower school and middle school divisions.

She’arim (Hebrew for “gates”), was created to specifically address the needs of students who require explicit instruction in life skills, both secular and Judaic. Jewish students who require life skills instruction can now access suitable learning environments, curricula and strategies while spending time with typical peers inside a Jewish day school environment.

Life skills instruction focuses on essential skills needed for daily living. Some of these life skills may include use of currency, successful social interactions, and healthy food choices. The goal of the She’arim program is to prepare students to be independent, contributing members of their communities.

Students in She’arim have at least one academic area in which their instructional level is below grade-level. While some students are best served in fully self-contained academic settings and participate with their mainstream peers only in special activities and lunch, other students attend MJBHA classes for parts of their secular and/or Judaic instruction. The level of support provided varies for each student.

As with the rest of Sulam, She’arim capitalizes on the benefits of a talented multi-disciplinary team. Speech-language, occupational and physical therapists are available to work with students during the school day, and each student receives weekly sessions with our on-staff psychologist.

For more information about the She’arim program, or to schedule a tour, please call the Sulam office at 301-962-9400 x5523.

Mrs. Israelle Resti, MS. Spec. Ed.

She’arim Lower School Division Chair