Gesher Jewish Day School

What a gift Gesher has been to our family. My children are well educated, well rounded, thoughtful citizens who went on to high school superbly prepared for the most rigorous classes. My children felt loved and respected, went to school happily every single day, and have nothing but the fondest memories of this K-8 school.

Our two children have received a fine education at Gesher. The older one has already transitioned out to the FCPS, and has proved to be well prepared for his honors-and-AP-heavy course load; additionally, the demands of a dual Jewish-studies/general-studies curriculum from grades K-8 have helped him learn time-management skills. It's also been wonderful to have our children in a place where Jewish observance is an integral part of daily life, and not something looked at as weird. Our younger child, though his learning needs and personality traits differ from those of his brother, has also had a great experience at Gesher so far: the experienced, well-trained teachers respond to the unique qualities of each student, helping him to be the best he can be. It's been well worth the money.

Top-notch academics in a warm and nurturing Jewish community. We left the Fairfax County Public School system for Gesher five years ago and have been extremely happy with the quality of education as well as the school environment. Gesher's teachers are dedicated, caring educators who appreciate the individual needs of each student. Gesher parents are actively involved, so parents and students both enjoy a warm, thriving Jewish Community. Gesher field trips far outshine the ones our child experienced during 3 years of public school. Judaics and Hebrew curriculum are wonderful. Our child experienced his Bar Mitzvah surrounded by a group of friends who cheered him on and appreciated the importance of this rite of passage, rather than just seeing it as a chance to have a party. Priceless!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been extremely happy with our chidren's education at Gesher JDS. The teachers are wonderful and truly care about each student, helping each one to excel. The head of school and faculty continue to evaluate and add new innovative academic features and technology that move the learning far ahead of Fairfax county schools. All this in a nurturing environment, while the students learn a love for Judaism and their heritage, and live a life of Jewish values -- good deeds, respect, etc. I love that some of the science curriculum takes place outside: seeing the animals in the vernal pond, the foliage in the meadow, planting vegetables and plants that are either native to Israel or Va. colonial times. These experiences are wonderful and my kids have thrived. I would recommend Gesher to any Jewish family of any denomination.

Gesher is such a wonderful school and we have been grateful to have been able to send our children to Gesher for many years. My oldest child graduated after attending Gesher K-8, and, now that I can look back on the total sum of this education, I can't emphasize enough how well-prepared he was to enter High School. He moved right into honors and AP classes, and felt extremely motivated and well-prepared - both academically and socially. Gesher's excellent academics brought him way ahead of his public school peers in Spanish, math, presentation skills, research and report writing, and leadership. Even more importantly, Gesher's nurturing environment launched him into high school confident in who he is and solid in his values. As a result, he was more than ready to face a larger and more diverse social environment with confidence and strength. While having made many new friends in high school, he still also maintains strong relationships with his friends - and his teachers! - from Gesher, and his Jewish and personal values remain steadfast and strong. I can't express my appreciation enough for all that Gesher has offered all of my children, and believe that every parent should give Gesher a look - it is a true gem in our community, and the greatest gift we could have given our children - and our family.

All three of my children have received a wonderful education at Gesher Jewish Day School. There is no way that we could repay the school for all the teachers have done to instill both a love of learning (my kids are all voracious readers and all love languages) and a love of being Jews (they are the pride of our family). I have BOTH FCPS middle school experience IN A GIFTED AND TALENTED CENTER and Gesher JDS experience to compare and hands down the academic preparation for high school was far superior at Gesher. This is a wonderful community school that celebrates each learner. I am very grateful that Gesher Jewish Day School exists in our community.

Very UNimpressed with the cirriculum. It's boring and slow and beneath the Fairfax County system. Both my sons needed tutoring to reach the standard level of the FF County public school system when they moved over.

The teachers are unexperienced and many are not degreed and the head of school really loves the donor families but turns his back on the "regular" families.

It's a shame that FF County is stuck but if you are seeking a TRUE JDS, bus to Maryland and skip the overpriced and unacheiving Gesher JDS...and I speak from seven years experience at Gesher. I truly wish I knew how far behind and how poor this school was before it was almost too late.