San Diego Jewish Academy
Pluralistic Jewish independent K-12 college-preparatory school on a 56-acre Carmel Valley campus
San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) is an independent, pluralistic Jewish college-preparatory day school founded in 1979, with 574 students listed by CAIS from 14 months through Grade 12 on a 56-acre Carmel Valley campus. SDJA is organized into four divisions: the Early Childhood Center, Golda Meir Lower School (K-5), and Maimonides Upper School covering both Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12). The school operates with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 12-13:1 and an average class size of 14, providing more than $6.7 million in tuition assistance and credits annually under a need-blind admissions policy. SDJA is a full member of CAIS and accredited by WASC, also affiliated with NAIS and PRIZMAH, and was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2018.
Quick answers
Tuition, selectivity, and admissions overview
San Diego Jewish Academy is one of the schools families often compare in the San Diego private high school search. This summary brings together tuition, acceptance-rate context, deadlines, testing, and local guardian considerations before the full profile below.
Data context
Tuition, testing, and application dates follow school-published sources.
Suggested next step
Confirm grade-level availability first, then decide whether to complete materials now or plan for the next cycle.
Priority deadline listed as February 2027; exact date pending
Checked October 6, 2026. Some account instructions still reference the previous school year; EdCommGlobal will confirm the application year.
From $41,350 (2026–27, grades 6–12 tuition + fees; security extra)
For a real annual budget, compare tuition with housing, guardianship, insurance, transportation, school breaks, and activity costs.
ISEE or other scores for grades 7–11; check TOEFL / iTEP requirements for international applicants
Day school
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Schools families often compare with San Diego Jewish Academy
Mission
“SDJA empowers each student to learn for life, guided by Jewish values and rooted in strength of community.
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Key Information
Grades
14 months through Grade 12
Language Requirement
ISEE or other scores for grades 7–11; check TOEFL / iTEP requirements for international applicants
Cost of Attendance
From $41,350 (2026–27, grades 6–12 tuition + fees; security extra)
Accommodation
Day school
Admission Information
Fall 2027 Admission
August Start
•Priority deadline: February 2027 (exact date pending)
Priority applications are due February 2027 and decisions follow in March 2027; exact dates are not posted. Some account instructions still reference the prior school year, so EdCommGlobal will confirm the application year. Admission is need-blind.
Financial Aid
Apply alongside admission via Clarity
•Submit with application; follow current school guidance
SDJA provides more than $6.7 million in tuition assistance and credits annually. Applying for aid does not affect admission decisions.
Application Requirements
- Application form and $100 application fee (non-refundable)
- ISEE or other accepted standardized scores for applicants to grades 7–11; no new grade 12 applicants
- TOEFL (code 5138) or iTEP SLATE for international applicants
- Academic transcripts
- Current English/math teacher and administrator recommendations; student questionnaire and short essay
- Student interview and parent conversation; confirm format for international applicants
Why Choose San Diego Jewish Academy?
Pluralistic Jewish Identity in a College-Preparatory Setting
SDJA is denominationally pluralistic — not affiliated with Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox movements specifically. Jewish learning is part of the curriculum and campus life; the admissions FAQ describes a community with different Jewish traditions. Families can examine the target grade schedule to assess fit.
Need-Blind Admissions with $6.7M+ in Annual Tuition Assistance
SDJA practices need-blind admissions: applying for financial aid does not affect a family's chance of acceptance. The school distributes more than $6.7 million in tuition assistance and credits annually, including need-based aid and the Jewish Professional Credit. Eligible K–12 families may receive 50% off base tuition; school fees are excluded.
Small Classes on a 56-Acre Carmel Valley Campus
CAIS currently lists 574 students across four divisions, with a student-to-teacher ratio of about 12-13:1 and an average class size of 14. The 56-acre Carmel Valley campus houses the Early Childhood Center, Golda Meir Lower School (K-5), and Maimonides Upper School (6-12) as a single integrated community. CAIS / WASC dual-accredited; also a NAIS and PRIZMAH member and a 2018 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.
Life at San Diego Jewish Academy
Four divisions, one community: classrooms, garden, and daily life
SDJA extends student life beyond the classroom. The school holds a weekly all-campus Shabbat gathering and offers outdoor learning, visual and performing arts, athletics, and experiential education. Its student experience page emphasizes a supportive community of teachers, peers, and families where children can learn and try new things.
Weekly All-Campus Shabbat
The school lists its weekly Shabbat gathering as a shared campus experience that brings students, staff, and families together.
Levana's Garden
The 5,000-square-foot garden hosts outdoor learning and community activities on campus.
Daily K–12 Community Lunch
The Community Dining Program provides K–12 students with an all-you-care-to-eat lunch each school day.
Campus Life at SDJA
A 56-acre Carmel Valley campus serving four divisions, from Early Childhood through Maimonides Upper School
56-Acre Carmel Valley Campus
Four divisions, one integrated K-12 Jewish community at 11860 Carmel Creek Road
Early Childhood Center
Reggio-inspired play-based learning for children 14 months through Pre-Kindergarten
Golda Meir Lower School (K-5)
Hebrew, Jewish studies, and core academics integrated from kindergarten onward
Maimonides Upper School (6-12)
Middle and high school in one division — small classes, AP, honors, and Jewish studies courses; offerings vary by year
Performing Arts Auditorium
Dedicated performance space for drama, music, dance, and community gatherings
Athletics — First Jewish HS Football Team in the U.S.
SDJA fielded the first Jewish high school football team in the United States in 2009 and won a CIF championship in 2021
Pluralistic Jewish Life
Jewish learning and campus activities reflect pluralistic traditions; arrangements vary by grade
Academic Excellence
U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School (2018); CAIS / WASC / NAIS / PRIZMAH accredited or affiliated
San Diego Jewish Academy By The Numbers
Discover the impressive statistics that make our school exceptional
Data verified on
Academic Program
SDJA serves students from 14 months through Grade 12 across four divisions — Early Childhood Center, Golda Meir Lower School (K-5), Maimonides Middle School (6-8), and Maimonides High School (9-12) — on a single 56-acre Carmel Valley campus. Average class size is 14, with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 12-13:1. Jewish learning is integrated across the curriculum rather than offered as a separate track, anchored by the school's six core values.
Four divisions on a single 56-acre Carmel Valley campus (Early Childhood through Grade 12)
Average class size of 14; student-to-teacher ratio approximately 12-13:1
Pluralistic Jewish curriculum integrated across all grades
Six core values: Avodah, Torah, Klal Yisrael, Tzedakah, Israel, Menschlichkeit
ISEE or other scores for grade 7–11 applicants; confirm language materials by applicant status
CAIS / WASC accredited; NAIS and PRIZMAH member; 2018 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School
Data sources
The figures below are sourced from each school's official public records, verified periodically: Data verified on
- San Diego Jewish Academy (Official)
- SDJA — About (School Overview)
- SDJA — Schools (Four Divisions)
- SDJA — Student Experience
- SDJA — Academics
- SDJA — Middle School
- SDJA — Maimonides Upper School
- SDJA — Jewish Life
- SDJA — Levana’s Garden
- SDJA — Community Dining Program
- SDJA — Admissions
- SDJA — Apply Now (2027 process)
- SDJA — Tuition
- SDJA — Affordability ($6.7M aid pool, need-blind)
- SDJA — International Students (TOEFL / iTEP)
- CAIS: San Diego Jewish Academy
- SDJA — 2025–26 High School Program of Studies
- SDJA — 2025–26 School Profile
Further reading
If you're considering San Diego Jewish Academy, also read
Inside San Diego Jewish Academy: pluralistic Jewish education in Carmel Valley
Deep profile of SDJA — Jewish day school identity, dual curriculum, and what makes it distinctive among SD private K-12 options.
Full cost of US private high school for a Chinese family
Tuition, guardianship, fees, transportation — total cost picture beyond SDJA's published tuition range.
Top private high schools in San Diego: where SDJA fits
Jewish day school in Carmel Valley — SDJA's positioning among SD's private K-12 options.
How SDJA compares to Bishop's, Parker, and LJCDS
SDJA shares the K-12 day school model with SD's Big Three, but with a smaller size, Jewish identity, and dual curriculum.
Legal guardianship for international students at San Diego day schools
SDJA is a day school. International families without local relatives need to plan guardianship before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is San Diego Jewish Academy's admissions acceptance rate?
The official school pages checked do not publish an admissions acceptance rate; third-party estimates are not used here.
How much does San Diego Jewish Academy cost for 2026-27?
For 2026–27, grades 6–8 cost $37,550 in base tuition plus $3,800 in school fees, totaling $41,350; grades 9–12 cost $39,550 plus $4,215, totaling $43,765. The domestic tuition page lists an additional $600 annual security fee per family. The international page lists $46,350 for middle school and $48,765 for high school, plus a $575 security fee. EdCommGlobal will confirm the differing security fee amounts for each applicant. Travel, insurance and other expenses may be additional.
How many students attend San Diego Jewish Academy?
The CAIS school profile currently lists 574 enrolled students. Historical figures from different organizations can refer to different school years or coverage, so check the counting basis before comparing them.
What is the student-teacher ratio at San Diego Jewish Academy?
Approximately 12-13:1 student-to-teacher ratio (PrivateSchoolReview: 13:1; NCES: 12.8:1). The school reports an average class size of 14 students. SDJA has roughly 48 classroom teachers (32 full-time plus 20 part-time, equivalent to ~48.8 FTE per NCES).
When is the deadline for Fall 2027 admission to San Diego Jewish Academy?
SDJA currently lists February 2027 for priority applications and March 2027 for decisions, without exact dates. Applicants to grades 7–11 need ISEE or other standardized scores; the school does not accept new grade 12 applicants. Middle and high school applicants also submit a $100 fee, transcripts, current English/math teacher and administrator recommendations, a student questionnaire and short essay, and complete a student interview and parent conversation. EdCommGlobal will confirm language materials for each international applicant.
Does San Diego Jewish Academy offer financial aid?
Yes. SDJA distributes more than $6.7 million in tuition assistance and credits annually under a need-blind admissions policy. The specific percentage of students receiving aid is not publicly disclosed by the school (aggregator data conflicts: PrivateSchoolReview lists 25%, while a 2023 community report cited 50% of new students in 2018-19). The current school page also lists a Jewish Professional Credit: eligible families may receive 50% off K–12 base tuition, excluding school fees. The school determines aid eligibility and awards.
Is San Diego Jewish Academy only open to Jewish students?
SDJA describes itself as a pluralistic Jewish day school, but its current site does not separately state whether families without a Jewish background are eligible to apply. EdCommGlobal will confirm eligibility, grade-specific Jewish studies and language arrangements, and campus participation with admissions for families new to Jewish education.
Does San Diego Jewish Academy accept international students?
The school can issue a limited number of I-20s to eligible admitted diploma-seeking international students. It accepts TOEFL (code 5138) or iTEP SLATE and conducts virtual interviews; confirm local guardianship arrangements.
What does SDJA's dual curriculum look like?
SDJA combines general academics with Jewish studies; the school says about one-fifth of the upper school day is devoted to Jewish learning. Hebrew requirements and placement should be confirmed for the target grade. Its 2025–26 high school profile lists both Hebrew and Spanish as world language options. EdCommGlobal will check the individual schedule against a student’s prior coursework.
How does SDJA compare to other San Diego private K-12 schools?
Compare Jewish learning, Hebrew, division-specific academics and campus setting. An early-childhood minimum fee is not comparable with another school’s high-school tuition; international students also have a separate fee schedule.