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Policy and Procedures

Admission to Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy is based on a student’s varied educational qualifications, previous schooling experience, and Kindergarten or grade appropriate readiness skills, as well as the family’s potential to contribute and benefit from the life of the school community.

Admission to the school is open to students from Kindergarten through Grade 8. December 1st of the calendar year of admission is used as a guide in determining the child’s readiness for Kindergarten. Children whose birthdays fall after this date are invited to meet individually with our Admissions Director.

Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy combines a rich Jewish education with an outstanding General Studies Education. The school is committed to enrolling students from a diverse background academically, religiously and economically. Through our tuition assistance program, financial awards are granted to many of our families who otherwise would not have the opportunity to benefit from a Jewish Education.

Re-Entry Policy
A student who has previously attended Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy and has had an alternative educational experience for a period of time, may be considered for re-entry by complying with admissions policy and procedures.

Admissions Procedure

The decision about the educational program a family provides its children clearly merits thought and deliberation. At Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy, we welcome inquiries from families who wish to provide their children with the best the Capital District has to offer in secular and Judaic studies, set in a nurturing environment infused with Jewish values. Jewish families from all affiliations are welcome at the Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy. Our common denominator is an interest in a high quality education as well as a strong grounding in the richness of Jewish life.

The first steps in the Admissions Process are as follows:

Contact Lorraine Arcus, Director of Admissions, at 518-482-0464 x101 or e-mail: larcus@hadcalbany.com to request an information packet and to schedule a visit.
Schedule a meeting with the Director of Admissions and Head of School, to learn more about Bet Shraga and to tell us about your child. This will be followed by a tour of the school.
Attend an Open House or a PALS (Preschoolers and Little Siblings) program. Please check out our website for a schedule of programs open to visitors during the school year. These include weekly Oneg Shabbat, Dance Festival, Science Fair, School Play, and School Picnic.

After you have visited the school and wish to apply, you will need to:

Complete the Application Form found in the packet or on-line, including the Release of Records Form, and submit it with a copy of your child’s birth certificate to HACD school office.
Register for a small group interview by the kindergarten teachers to be held in January. At that time, the parents may meet with the Admissions Director to address any questions.
Students applying for grades 1-8 will spend a day at Bet Shraga in their present grade with their peers. At that time, the student will be evaluated by members of the Judaic and General studies staff.

Financial Aid (Optional):

Financial Aid forms are available on the Bet Shraga website and are due by February 15. Late applications will be considered as funds are available.
Decisions for tuition adjustment will be made in the early spring.

After you have applied to Bet Shraga:

Admission decisions are made by a committee consisting of the Head of School, the Director of Admissions, the Lower or Middle School Principal, and appropriate faculty.
Decision letters are sent out in mid-winter.
Accepted students will be offered an Enrollment Contract. In the case of a late or mid-year application, decisions will be made when the admissions process has been completed.

After you are enrolled:

Kindergarten students and their parents are invited to “Welcome to Kindergarten” in late spring.
During the summer, kindergarten parents are encouraged to arrange play activities with members of their child’s new class.
Kindergarten students are invited to an “End of Summer Ice Cream Party” in their new classroom the afternoon before school begins. At this time, they will be invited to bring in their kindergarten supplies.