Virtual Tour
Click on a point to see more details and explore our school.
For more information and to apply, click here.
French Studies
An SSA student learns the French language and lives Quebec culture through exploratory projects, theme exhibits, song and theatrical presentations. All students, in both English and French sections, benefit from spending the largest portion of their school week in French. Our curriculum includes French conversation and literature, math, science and technology, ethics and religious culture, geography, history, and physical education. Throughout their years at SSA, each student develops the confidence to communicate in French and becomes fluently bilingual.
English Studies
The English program integrates the four major components of literacy: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Our students are encouraged to become lifelong readers through the exposure to a variety of authors and genres. They are guided to express their own opinions and experiences via the production of self-expressive, narrative, and information-based written and oral works. Students in the English section in Grades 3-6 benefit from a challenging mathematics program and are exposed to an enriched math curriculum.
Parents are invited to our English and Math “Happenings” to celebrate their child’s progress!
Parents are invited to our English and Math “Happenings” to celebrate their child’s progress!
Judaic Studies
Our Judaic Studies program teaches our students to value their Jewish heritage, feel a connection among the Jewish people, and foster a love for Israel. Through study, music, drama, dance, arts, and literature, all taught in Hebrew (Ivrit B’Ivrit), our students learn the customs and traditions of Shabbat and Jewish holidays, stories of the Torah, and the history and culture of Israel.
Hands-on experience is a hallmark of Jewish learning at SSA; our youth volunteers (Shinshinim) bring celebration to each activity. We are especially proud to see our students participate in many Tikkun Olam projects, and in their annual Chagigot at each grade level. A highlight of the program is our Grade 6 trip to Israel!
Classrooms
The Academy offers 28 spacious, bright, spacious, air-conditioned classrooms. Most rooms are 750 sq. ft. in area – allowing space for in-class libraries, audio-visual equipment as well as space for group work.
Our STEP classrooms feature flexible learning environments, including wobble stools, independent and group work stations, and cycle desks.
Our STEP classrooms feature flexible learning environments, including wobble stools, independent and group work stations, and cycle desks.
This year, our students are sitting in rows to provide physical distancing. Our teachers have done a great job to make it fun!
This year, our students are sitting in rows to provide physical distancing. Our teachers have done a great job to make it fun!
Students do group work together in stations, with plenty of space to move around.
Students do group work together in stations, with plenty of space to move around.
Robotics
In our Robotics class, students become acquainted with the fundamentals of 3D construction and programming concepts while making an intelligent robot that can perform complex tasks.
In Grade 2, our students program using the Lego WeDo kits, while learning valuable problem solving and teamwork skills.
In Grade 2, our students program using the Lego WeDo kits, while learning valuable problem solving and teamwork skills.
Grade 5 and 6 students participate in the Junior Robotics Competition with schools across Montreal, programming robots that meet challenges designed for competition.
Grade 5 and 6 students participate in the Junior Robotics Competition with schools across Montreal, programming robots that meet challenges designed for competition.
Science & Technology
This curriculum is designed to explore the scientific method and technological literacy with students, while they interact with their environment and the world around them. Through the process of questioning, creating a hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and drawing conclusions, the students learn valuable inductive and deductive reasoning skills.
Music
Music is an important aspect of providing children with a well-rounded education. SSA students participate in vocal music throughout their time at school, with emphasis on Jewish and Israeli music, culminating in the annual Grade 4 Zimria choir experience. Instrumental music education begins in Grade 1 with the introduction of recorder and xylophone, continuing in Grade 3 for all students and then by elective for students in Grades 5 and 6 who wish to play in our school band.
Art
Art class is a part of our SMART Floor program, in which each child is encouraged to express themselves creatively. Our students build their repertoire of artistic techniques at each grade level while strengthening their Jewish identity.
Each art project combines Jewish themes with artistic techniques.
Each art project combines Jewish themes with artistic techniques.
Grade 6 students make beautiful challah boards in the Judaic Arts class.
Grade 6 students make beautiful challah boards in the Judaic Arts class.
Computer Animation
In Animation class, we explore computing languages to program custom projects. Through weekly animation challenges, our students learn the process of creative storyboards and how to add the illusion of movement to their digital drawings.
Students begin learning computer animation in Grade 1 using programs like Scratch Junior and Flip Boom.
Students begin learning computer animation in Grade 1 using programs like Scratch Junior and Flip Boom.
Computer animation is part of our exciting SMART Floor program!
Computer animation is part of our exciting SMART Floor program!
The Beverley and Harvey Greenberg Makerspace
Our innovative Beverley and Harvey Greenberg Makerspace is where students can collaborate to create, learn and explore new ideas! Our Makerspace has the materials for building computers, robots, and multimedia projects through video, welding, wood-working, and 3D printers.
Student Services
The SSA Student Services Department’s goal is to ensure all children reach their full potential by supporting them academically, socially and emotionally. Our dynamic and passionate team of psychologists, social workers, behaviour technicians, an orthopedagogue, and resource specialists work with students and their families individually, in small groups, and throughout the classes at school.
STEP Program
To meet the specific learning needs of our students who have difficulties, the Strategy Enrichment Program (STEP) is offered in Grades 3 - 6. Students in the STEP program work in small groups with a dedicated resource teacher who knows their Individualized Education Plan (IEP), supports their unique learning styles, and fosters self-confidence. A variety of instructional approaches are used, including pre-teaching and differentiation with regard to learning style, curriculum, and evaluation.
Body Break Room
Our Body Break Room is a safe place for students to visit when they need to press pause and clear their heads. Students are supervised by a member of the Student Services Department, who coaches them on talking through their emotions with a trusted adult, and engages them in a calming activity such as meditation, deep breathing, drawing, or playing with Lego.
Gym & Athletics
Our Physical Education and extra-curricular sports programs, provided in a 4,000 sq. ft. well-equipped gym, are aimed at teaching our students the skills to participate in a wide variety of sports; how to interact with one another outside of the classroom; and encouraging them to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. We are proud to offer Grades 5-6 students the opportunity to participate in sports teams playing in the GMAA and Jewish leagues in Montreal in soccer, hockey, basketball, ultimate frisbee and dodgeball.
Students in Grades 1-6 have physical education twice per week in French.
Students in Grades 1-6 have physical education twice per week in French.
Library
At Solomon Schechter Academy, we value the importance of reading! Our students enjoy weekly or bi-weekly visits to the library with their English, French, and Hebrew classes. Our dedicated staff are always on hand to recommend new books and to plan visits from guest authors and illustrators.
Lunch Room
Our bright, renovated lunch room allows our students ample space to socialize and interact. We offer a nutritious and kid-friendly daily lunch program that can be ordered on a monthly basis. Our school recognizes that a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet are integral parts of growth and development.
Our lunchroom is also used for special activities like our Purim carnival.
Our lunchroom is also used for special activities like our Purim carnival.
A spacious place for our students to eat and play.
A spacious place for our students to eat and play.
Our amazing parent volunteers distribute treats on the holidays!
Our amazing parent volunteers distribute treats on the holidays!
Playground
Our Main Campus Playground features a brand new play structure installed in 2020, designed with the best features for kids ages 5-12 (as voted on by our own students). Basketball, soccer, and champ courts and shaded areas mean recess time is fun for everyone! Children enjoy a morning, lunch, and afternoon recess.
Junior Pre-K Class
The Amiel Early Childhood Centre is a place filled with light and happiness, where children grow, learn, make friends and flourish in their own way and at their own pace. We offer a play-based program that keeps children engaged and eager to come to school every day.
Pre-K Class
Our students learn through educational play, circle time, individual and group work. Stories, songs, outdoor play and movement are woven through each day in order to develop language acquisition, fine and gross motor skills, and empathy.
Each class has a full-time teacher and teaching assistant, as well as specialty subjects with dedicated teachers in French, Hebrew, Music, Library, and Physical Education.
Each class has a full-time teacher and teaching assistant, as well as specialty subjects with dedicated teachers in French, Hebrew, Music, Library, and Physical Education.
Kindergarten
An elementary school education starts with Kindergarten at SSA! Discover how our students develop the skills to become lifelong learners.
Library
The Amiel Early Childhood Centre has its own library with a collection of more than 1,000 books in English, French, and Hebrew!
In Junior Pre-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten, students visit our library weekly to hear stories read to them and to take books home.
In Junior Pre-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten, students visit our library weekly to hear stories read to them and to take books home.
Our French and English library books cover a wide variety of themes from friendship and courage to animals, science, and sports.
Our French and English library books cover a wide variety of themes from friendship and courage to animals, science, and sports.
Amiel Playground
The Amiel Centre has its very own spacious school yard that is split into several different areas. There is a play structure used by the kindergarten children, a picnic area for the classes to use for snacks, lunch or as an additional outdoor learning space, there is a large courtyard for the children to run and play games and finally several gardens to plant vegetables that we donate back to the community.
The Mel Hoppenheim Family Foundation Theatre Centre
The Mel Hoppenheim Family Foundation Theatre Centre provides students at both campuses with a beautiful performance space that is also used for special guests.
Students gather in the Theatre Centre to listen to the Shofar at Rosh Hashanah.
Students gather in the Theatre Centre to listen to the Shofar at Rosh Hashanah.
Special activities and theme days make our Theatre Centre an exciting place to be.
Special activities and theme days make our Theatre Centre an exciting place to be.
We welcome parents and grandparents to our Theatre Centre for holidays and celebrations!
We welcome parents and grandparents to our Theatre Centre for holidays and celebrations!
Gym
Physical education is an important part of our curriculum, offered twice a week, in English for preschool and in French for Kindergarten. We focus on developing gross motor abilities, building strength, flexibility, and endurance, and practicing cooperation.