Mission

Developing minds.

Pressman Academy produces scholars, innovators, tinkerers, critical thinkers and moral decision makers. Each year, nearly 100% of our 8th graders are accepted to their first-choice high school. Our students consistently compete at the highest level in the L.A. County Science Fair, rank amongst the top 30 schools in the state in the California Math League, place in the Middle School Moot Beit Din competition, and demonstrate Hebrew proficiency on Avant testing. But the General and Judaic Studies program at Pressman is about so much more than achievements. We believe that every great teacher changes the world. We believe that learning is fun when it is meaningful and connected to the real world. We believe that a differentiated classroom – where every single child is seen and supported – is a successful classroom. And we believe that joy is essential, because happy, engaged children are learning children. Pressman students excel precisely because of how we approach the work of developing minds.

Nurturing hearts.

There is a reason that Pressman Academy is known as the school that develops the hearts and souls of children. Social-Emotional learning isn’t an afterthought here; on the contrary, it’s foundational to the Pressman educational experience. We are proud to have a Wellness Department, staffed by three full time educators and therapists, focused entirely on the wellbeing of our students. From two-year-olds practicing yoga and meditation to our Day School Council program, Pressman students learn how to communicate deeply, understand themselves and their peers, and resolve conflict.

Instilling Jewish values.

At Pressman, Jewish inquiry and practice is joyful and serious, rooted and innovative, rigorous and welcoming. Stroll down our hallways any time of day, any day of the week and you will hear small voices singing shabbat songs, medium voices belting out birkat hamazon, bigger voices reading Torah. We foster our students’ commitment and connection to Judaism through Hebrew, t’fillah, Torah, Rabbinics, and a love of Israel. We live our values through community partnerships and tikkun olam opportunities. Our students graduate prepared for Jewish Studies classes at the high school level, and they bring with them an immersive Jewish experience that is grounded in the history, traditions, rituals, and rhythms of Jewish life.