Primary Division (K- 4) | Hillel Academy Tampa

Primary Division

Kindergarten to 4th Grade

A Welcome from our Lower Division Director: Don Woodruff

In Hillel Academy’s Lower Division, students build the academic, social, and spiritual foundation they need to grow as inquisitive, resilient, and compassionate individuals.

Our Elementary program provides a strong multifaceted curriculum that integrates general studies with Judaic studies, Hebrew language, Jewish values, and Israel education. Students build skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies while also deepening their connection to Jewish learning, tradition, and community. Through engaging lessons, thoughtful classroom experiences, and an inviting school environment, students feel encouraged to ask questions, think critically, collaborate with others, and take pride in their academics and Jewish faith.

For families searching for a private elementary school in Tampa that values small class sizes and personalized learning, Hillel Academy offers an environment where each child is known, supported, and challenged. Our dedicated educators guide students as they develop the academic foundation that prepares them for meaningful growth in the years ahead.

Copy of PXL_20220826_174005923

20241030_110831

Copy of PXL_20221202_160547692

Copy of PXL_20220826_174005923

1/5

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is a meaningful year of growth as children begin building the academic, social, and emotional foundation they will carry in the years ahead. At Hillel Academy, this essential foundation is built through hands-on, experiential learning that sparks curiosity, encourages confidence, and helps students develop a lifelong love of learning.

Within the Kindergarten classroom, students strengthen early literacy skills through phonics, storytelling, letter and sound recognition, and creative writing activities. They build early math skills using number games, counting activities, and real-world problem-solving. Science is introduced in a way that encourages curiosity and discovery. Using the Smithsonian Science curriculum, students investigate the world around them with observation, experimentation, and exploration of topics like plants, animals, and weather.

Students have the opportunity to learn about Social Studies through community, culture, and traditions in ways that feel meaningful and transformative. Storytelling, classroom activities, role-playing, and holiday celebrations help children understand the people and the world around them. Students also begin developing an early appreciation for Jewish traditions, values, and Israel.

This thoughtfully curated curriculum helps kindergarten students grow as learners and classmates while preparing them for continued success in school and beyond.

First Grade

First Grade is a year of growing independence, deeper learning, and discovery. At Hillel Academy, students continue building on the skills they learned in Kindergarten while gaining confidence as readers, writers, problem-solvers, classmates, and young Jewish learners.

Students advance in reading and writing skills as they enhance their phonics skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop fluency and comprehension skills. As First Grade students grow as writers, they transition from simple sentences to expanded paragraphs while practicing grammar, punctuation, and creative expression. In math, number sense is strengthened as students explore addition, subtraction, place value, time, money, geometry, and real-world problem solving.

Science education is guided by the Smithsonian Science curriculum, where students study light and sound, plant and animal life cycles, and weather patterns. In social studies, students learn about local and global communities, map skills, cultural traditions, historical figures, diversity, and civic responsibility. In addition, daily classroom experiences also support cooperation, empathy, conflict resolution, and a strong sense of community.

One of the most meaningful first grade milestones is Kabbalat HaSiddur, a significant celebration filled with music and dance where students receive their own Siddurim. This special moment marks an important step in their Jewish learning journey.

By the end of First Grade, students have strengthened their academic skills, deepened their confidence, and developed important social, emotional, and spiritual foundations for continued success.

Second Grade

In Second Grade, students embark on a year of (second grade intro sentence here). At Hillel Academy, students continue strengthening their academic skills in a supportive environment that values small class instruction, meaningful learning, and whole-child education.

In Language Arts, students build reading fluency and comprehension as they engage with both fiction and nonfiction texts. Writing becomes more organized and expressive as students practice complete sentences, paragraphs, vocabulary, punctuation, and clear communication. In Math, students deepen their understanding of addition, subtraction, place value, early multiplication, measurement, and problem-solving.

Science education is guided by the Smithsonian Science curriculum, where students investigate topics such as properties of materials, Earth’s systems, and simple machines. Through STEM education and project-based learning, students learn to make observations, ask thoughtful questions, and connect scientific ideas to the world around them. In Social Studies, students expand their knowledge about local and global communities, geography, maps, historical figures, and cultural diversity. In addition, Jewish learning is woven into the Second Grade curriculum as students continue strengthening their connection to Jewish values, Hebrew language, traditions, prayer, and Israel.

Social-emotional learning continues to be a core focus of the Second Grade experience. Students continue developing empathy, teamwork, emotional awareness, and problem-solving. Together, these elements provide Second Grade students with the tools to become confident readers, writers, problem-solvers, and members of the community. With stronger academic skills, greater independence, and a sense of responsibility, students are prepared for continued growth in the years ahead.

Third Grade

Third grade is an exciting year filled with curiosity, creativity, and growing independence. Students will have the chance to build on skills they have previously developed, while also gaining confidence to explore new ideas, take on challenges, and become active participants in their learning journey.

Within Language Arts, students strengthen their reading comprehension skills, analyze texts, and express meaningful ideas through organized essays. In mathematics, exploration of multiplication, division, fractions, and geometry through engaging, thought-provoking lessons. The Smithsonian Science curriculum makes learning come to life as students investigate forces and motion, ecosystems, and the water cycle. Through social studies, an understanding of history, geography, and the government is deepened. Students will continue to deepen their Jewish knowledge and identity through meaningful learning, traditions, Hebrew education, and connections to their community and Israel.

An exciting component of Third grade is the introduction of new technologies and creative learning opportunities such as participating in MakerLab and navigating personal Chromebooks.

Within MakerLab, students have access to a creative space where they are encouraged to design, explore, and invent. With their own personal Chromebooks, students begin developing essential digital skills, including keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, programming, and Dash robotics. Students will also participate in digital citizenship lessons that help them learn how to use technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully.

Ultimately, throughout the year, social-emotional learning encourages students to grow in empathy, collaboration, self-awareness and confidence. Together, these new experiences make Third grade a meaningful year of discovery, skill development, and lifelong learning.

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade is a meaningful year of growing confidence, independence, and leadership.

Students have the opportunity to build on the skills they have previously developed while continuously learning to take greater ownership of their workload, manage responsibilities, and approach new challenges with determination. In addition, they will begin taking greater ownership of their learning, setting a positive example for younger students, and recognizing how their contributions can make a difference in the classroom and school community.

In Language Arts, students enhance their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills by diving into complex analysis of challenging texts. They also continue to develop their writing skills by focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and organization within their essays. Mathematics lessons begin to deepen problem-solving and numerical reasoning skills as students tackle multi-digit multiplication and division, fractions, decimals, and word problems.

Hands-on experiments and projects bring science to life as students investigate electricity, simple machines, ecosystems, and the water cycle. In social studies, state and local history, geography, government, and economics will be explored. Students also will continuously deepen their Jewish knowledge, values, and identity through the celebration of traditions, expanding their Hebrew education and connections to Israel.

Technology and creativity remain an integral part of the fourth-grade curriculum. Students enhance their independence by using Google Classroom to manage their assignments and projects. Meanwhile, their second year in MakerLab introduces more advanced technology opportunities for design and innovation. Students will explore computer science concepts by learning to program with MIT’s Scratch platform and Tinkercad’s 3D modeling program.

Collectively, throughout the year, students have the opportunity to strengthen organizational, accountability, collaboration and leadership skills, making fourth grade an exciting step toward greater independence and future academic success.

Middle Division