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Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School

Canada, Toronto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 237
Type Co-educational
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages Hebrew, French
Typical class size 23
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Social and Hobbies, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School is a JK–Grade 8 campus at 750 Spadina Avenue, with a space opening at 720 Spadina Avenue, within Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre. The school serves Toronto's Jewish community and is affiliated with UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. It follows the Ontario curriculum with an integrated approach: roughly two‑thirds General Studies taught by the core teacher, one‑third Hebrew and Torah Studies taught by the Hebrew teacher. French, music, gym and technology are taught by specialists. Hebrew is taught as a contemporary language, while Torah Studies explore Jewish history and culture from an egalitarian, pluralistic perspective; Israel studies are expanded through Shin Shinim program. The day runs 8:45–3:45 for SK–Grade 5 and 8:30–3:30 for Grade 6–8, with before and after care. Co-curriculars include sports, chess, eco club, student union, film-making and choir; in middle school students mount a musical theatre production. Founded in 1998. Today.

750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2J2 (Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre)

The Essentials

Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School has 237 pupils, typical class sizes of 23, instruction in English.

Location
750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2J2 (located in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre)

Stages
JK to Grade 8

Type
Downtown Jewish day school (JK–Grade 8) in Toronto

Additional learning support
Differentiated learning within an integrated curriculum

Country affiliation
Canada

Religious affiliation
Jewish

School day structure
The school day runs 8:45 AM to 3:45 PM for SK to Grade 5 and 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM for Grade 6–8; before- and after-school care is available
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school offers a lunch program through Hot Lunches. Lunch can be purchased through the Parents' Association daily beginning the second week of September. Lunch and snacks must follow Kashrut practices and be dairy, meat or pareve; Only kosher meat may be brought to school, and meat and dairy cannot be eaten together in the same meal. No refrigeration or reheating facilities are available for student lunches, and foods brought to school must be nut-free.

Governance and Ownership
Board governance: Paul Penna DJDS is governed by a Board of Directors. Head of School: Dr. Amy Platt. Location and scope: The school is housed in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre at 750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, and serves JK through Grade 8.
Fees
Application fees and deposit

- A non‑refundable application/initial enrolment deposit of CAD 500.00 is required at the time the application is submitted and must be made payable to Paul Penna DJDS.

Tuition fees by year group

- The school does not publish a public tuition schedule by grade for the 2026/27 academic year (nor for the 2025/26 year) that is available to the general public. Families are provided with the full tuition schedule directly by the school upon request or as part of the admissions/enrolment package. No per‑grade or per‑term tuition figures are publicly posted.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- A specific public billing schedule (dates for term payments, installment plans, due dates, or late‑payment penalties) is not published in the available admissions documents or the Parent Handbook. The admissions/enrolment paperwork refers to and incorporates the school's tuition‑payment terms as part of the enrolment agreement; administrative responsibility for tuition, subsidies, and payments is assigned to the Operations Manager. Families receive definitive billing and payment‑term information directly from the school as part of the enrolment process.

Boarding fees

- Paul Penna DJDS operates as a day school (SK to Grade 8). There is no boarding program and therefore no boarding fees.

Other costs and routine additional charges

- School supplies: Most classroom consumable supplies (pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, markers, glue sticks, scissors, folders, etc.) are supplied by the school. Parents are asked to supply a limited number of personal items for certain grades and items such as kippot or a change of clothes when appropriate; a grade‑specific supply list is issued to families before the school year. No published per‑student supply fee is listed in publicly available materials.

- Dress code / uniform: The school sets a dress code that requires comfortable, non‑distracting clothing and appropriate footwear for physical activity. A formal uniform program is not described in the Parent Handbook and no uniform fee is publicly listed.

- Hot lunch / extracurriculars / field trips: The Parent Handbook and school communications reference hot‑lunch programs, field trips, and extracurricular activities that may carry additional charges, but no standard public fee schedule for these items is published. Families should expect occasional, activity‑specific charges billed separately.

Refund information

- There is no publicly posted, detailed refund or withdrawal policy (for deposits, tuition, or activity fees) located in the available application form or Parent Handbook. The application form indicates acceptance of the school's tuition payment terms as part of enrolment paperwork, but it does not state a standalone refund policy. Any refund or withdrawal terms are governed by the enrolment agreement and school administration.

Fee payment options

- The school's publicly available application form and Parent Handbook do not list the specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, e‑transfer/Interac, or cheque) that are accepted. Administrative responsibility for tuition payments is noted (Operations Manager), and families receive payment instructions during the enrolment process. No published convenience‑fee schedule or online payment portal details were found in the publicly available materials.


Summary of limitations in the publicly available information

- The only explicit, itemized fee located in publicly available admissions materials is the CAD 500 initial deposit required with the application. Detailed tuition amounts by grade, per‑term billing dates, payment‑method options, a published refund/withdrawal policy, and any fixed uniform or activity fee schedule are not publicly posted in the school's accessible admissions materials or Parent Handbook. Families are provided the full fee schedule and the school's payment terms directly by the school as part of the admissions/enrolment documentation.
Academics

Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School teaches Canadian Curriculum.

Curriculum
The school delivers an integrated education from JK to Grade 8. The day is roughly two-thirds General Studies, taught by the Core teacher, and one-third Hebrew and Torah Studies, taught by the Hebrew teacher, with French, music, gym and technology taught by specialists. General Studies examine large concepts through skill development and critical thinking; Math is taught with a balance of concepts and skills and is accelerated in Middle School to touch on high school math in Grade 8. Judaic learning encompasses Hebrew language education, Torah studies, Jewish studies and Israel studies, taught from an egalitarian, pluralistic perspective; Hebrew is taught primarily as a contemporary language. Israel studies are complemented by the Shin Shinim program; co-curriculars include sports, chess, eco club, student union, film-making, and choir; in middle school students create and perform a musical theatre piece. The day runs 8:45 AM to 3:45 PM for SK to Grade 5 and 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM for Grade 6-8, with extra before and after school care.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school centers on growth and wellbeing for all students. It emphasizes self-regulation and respectful behaviour through clear routines and expectations. Jewish values are integrated into daily learning, supporting pride, empathy, and inclusion within a pluralistic community. Differentiated instruction helps meet diverse learning needs while promoting social-emotional development.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning is differentiated to meet each student's unique learning needs and profile, supporting individual growth. The school focuses on inclusive practice within its integrated curriculum to engage diverse learners.

Mental Wellbeing
Growth and wellbeing are core aims in a safe, calm, and respectful environment. Self-regulation and structured routines help students manage emotions and behavior.

Safeguarding
The school maintains safety through a Code of Conduct and safety protocols. It runs a nut-free environment and follows security measures, Safe Arrival procedures, and emergency readiness; on-site security and access controls involve the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre where supervision is provided by staff.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1998 to serve Toronto's downtown Jewish community, Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School operates across two downtown campuses. The main campus is at 750 Spadina Avenue, in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, and a Middle School space opened in 2026 at 720 Spadina Avenue. The school serves JK to Grade 8 and is affiliated with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Community
The program integrates Judaic and General Studies with daily Hebrew and Torah studies, with roughly two-thirds of the day devoted to General Studies and one-third to Hebrew and Torah Studies taught by a Hebrew teacher. General Studies are complemented by French, music, gym, and technology taught by specialist teachers. The Shin Shinim program brings young Israeli students to Toronto to spend a year at Paul Penna DJDS and a partner organization. The school emphasizes social justice and Tikkun Olam, and embraces diversity and equality, welcoming students from all Jewish backgrounds. Co-curricular offerings include sports, chess, eco club, student union, film-making, and choir, with a middle school musical theatre production.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is located within the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNjcc) at 750 Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto. It is easily accessible by walking, biking, public transit, and driving. The Spadina TTC subway stop is across the street and a parking arrangement is available during drop-off and pickup. The MNjcc houses Paul Penna DJDS, Libbie Cowan Childcare Centre, and Thomas & Marjorie Schwartz Preschool Centre, and offers After Care and School's Out programs for PD days and holidays. Students have access to the MNjcc pool and the newly renovated gym, and recess is held on a rooftop playground twice daily. The University of Toronto field behind the school is used for lunch recess.

Sports Facilities
The pool and the newly renovated gymnasium are available to Paul Penna DJDS students. Recess takes place on the rooftop playground twice daily, and the University of Toronto field behind the building is used for lunch recess, expanding outdoor space for activity. The MNjcc provides facilities that support a range of physical activities during and after the school day.

Academic Facilities
Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School delivers JK to Grade 8 integrated education. It meets Ontario Ministry of Education standards and emphasizes Hebrew language and Jewish studies. The day is divided into roughly two-thirds General Studies taught by the core teacher and one-third Hebrew and Torah Studies taught by the Hebrew teacher; French, music, gym, and technology are taught by specialist teachers. Torah Studies explore Hebrew Bible, Jewish history, prayer, culture, and tradition from an egalitarian, pluralistic perspective, and students learn to chant Torah in advance of their B'nei mitzvah experiences; the Israel program is expanded through study of modern and biblical history and culture. A Shin Shinim program brings young Israeli students to spend a year in Toronto working at Paul Penna DJDS and a partner organization.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school offers a co-curricular program that takes place outside the regular school day and during recess, with activities such as sports, chess, eco club, student union, film-making, and choir. The program also supports extracurricular engagement during recess. In middle school, students develop and perform a musical theatre production.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, French, and Social Studies are taught, with Modern Hebrew, Hebrew Bible, and Judaic Studies. General studies follow the Ontario Curriculum, and Hebrew is taught.

Arts & Creative
Arts are integrated into the curriculum; music, drama, and visual arts are used for learning. Artists-in-residence provide hands-on creative experiences.

Cultural & Language
Hebrew language and Hebrew Bible are taught daily. Israel and Jewish culture are explored through study and cultural celebrations.

Social & Hobbies
Lunch and snacks follow Kashrut; a PA-managed lunch program operates. Lunch clubs and learning activities connect students with real-world experiences.

Community & Service
The curriculum includes social justice and social action Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah donations. Parents volunteer and participate in school programs through the Parents' Association.

Leadership & Professional
The Head of School leads, under a Board of Directors. Students are encouraged to be positive leaders in school and the community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Specialty lessons include Visual Arts, Gym, French from Grade 2, Music, Drama, and Technology. A School Counsellor and Director of Student Services support wellbeing; there is a nut-free, Kashrut-compliant environment.
Languages

Language Provision
Modern Hebrew is taught daily, starting in SK, with 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours of Hebrew instruction; students read, write and speak Hebrew, with learning that integrates life in Israel. French is taught as part of the general curriculum. The program includes Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, as well as Hebrew Bible and Judaic Studies.
Reputation

Accreditations
CAIS-accredited independent school. The school is CAIS-accredited, indicating adherence to Canadian independent school standards.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Application for Admission requires a non-refundable $500 fee and submission of the Application for Admission along with past school records if applicable and copies of past assessments if applicable. Additional documents may be requested to complete the application. All materials are submitted to the school office. Step 2: Upon receiving the Application for Admission, the school schedules a meeting with the parent/guardian and one of the education specialists. Prior to acceptance, the school conducts an informal observation of the prospective student. These steps help determine readiness and fit for Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School.

Scholarships
Generations Scholarship is offered as part of the school's tuition subsidies. Details about eligibility and how to apply are provided by the school through its Tuition and Subsidies information.
School Events
The school has not added events
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