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, serving approximately 560-650 students 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, distributing more than $6.7 million in tuition assistance 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.
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Priority Application Deadline: February 2, 2026 / February 2, 2026
$16,940 - $43,765 (2026-27, by division)
ISEE (Maimonides Upper School); TOEFL or iTEP SLATE for international applicants
Day school
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 (Maimonides Upper School); TOEFL or iTEP SLATE for international applicants
Cost of Attendance
$16,940 - $43,765 (2026-27, by division)
Accommodation
Day school
Admission Information
Fall Admission (2026-27)
August Start
•Priority Application Deadline: February 2, 2026
Decisions released March 13, 2026. Admission is need-blind across all divisions.
Financial Aid
Apply alongside admission via Clarity
•February 2, 2026
SDJA distributes more than $6.7 million in tuition assistance 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 (Maimonides Upper School)
- TOEFL (code 5138) or iTEP SLATE for international applicants
- Academic transcripts
- Teacher recommendations and student essay
- Interview (virtual interview available 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. The school holds compacts with multiple San Diego synagogues across denominations and integrates Jewish learning across the curriculum without favoring one movement. The school's six core values — Avodah, Torah, Klal Yisrael, Tzedakah, Israel, and Menschlichkeit — anchor the day-school experience from Early Childhood through Grade 12.
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, an Open Door credit ($7,500/year for 3 years for new Kindergarten families), and a Jewish Professional Credit (50% off K-12 tuition for families where a parent works 35+ hours/week at a qualifying Jewish non-profit).
Small Classes on a 56-Acre Carmel Valley Campus
Approximately 560-650 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 on a 56-acre Carmel Valley campus
SDJA's 56-acre Carmel Valley campus brings together four divisions — Early Childhood, Golda Meir Lower School, and the Maimonides Upper School (Middle and High) — into one integrated K-12 community. Jewish learning is woven across the curriculum rather than treated as a separate track, and the school's six core values shape daily life from the youngest learners through graduating seniors. SDJA fielded the first Jewish football team in the United States in 2009 and won a CIF championship in 2021.
~560-650 Students, 12-13:1 Ratio
Four divisions on a single 56-acre campus, with average class size of 14
Pluralistic Jewish Curriculum
Jewish learning integrated across the curriculum; compacts with multiple San Diego synagogues across denominations
Blue Ribbon School (2018)
Named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2018; CAIS / WASC / NAIS / PRIZMAH accredited or affiliated
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, 28+ honors and AP-equivalent courses
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 woven across the curriculum, with compacts spanning Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox San Diego synagogues
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 for Maimonides Upper School admissions; TOEFL or iTEP SLATE for international applicants
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is San Diego Jewish Academy's admissions acceptance rate?
SDJA does not publish an admissions acceptance rate. Admission is selective and need-blind, meaning applying for financial aid does not affect a family's chance of acceptance. California private K-12 schools are not required to disclose this number, and aggregator sites such as PrivateSchoolReview, Niche, FindingSchool, and College Transitions do not list one for SDJA either.
How much does San Diego Jewish Academy cost for 2026-27?
Tuition for 2026-27 varies by division: Early Childhood ranges from $16,940 (part-time) to $29,890 (full-time with extended care); Kindergarten is $20,260 for new students or $18,760 for continuing students from SDJA's Early Childhood Center, plus $2,240 in fees; Grades 1-5 (Golda Meir Lower School) are $32,750 plus $2,240 in fees; Grades 6-8 (Maimonides Middle School) are $37,550 plus $3,800 in fees; Grades 9-12 (Maimonides High School) are $39,550 plus $4,215 in fees (approximately $43,765 all-in). Additional: $100 application fee (non-refundable) and a $600/family annual security fee.
How many students attend San Diego Jewish Academy?
Approximately 560-650 students across the four divisions from 14 months through Grade 12. Sources vary slightly: NCES reports 556, CAIS lists 564, and PrivateSchoolReview cites 646 — the range likely reflects whether the Early Childhood Center is included in the count.
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 application deadline for San Diego Jewish Academy 2026-27?
February 2, 2026 (priority deadline for 2026-27). Decisions are released March 13, 2026. Required: application form and $100 application fee; ISEE or other accepted standardized scores for the Maimonides Upper School; TOEFL (code 5138) or iTEP SLATE for international applicants; transcripts; teacher recommendations; student essay; and interview (virtual interview available for international students).
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). Three affordability programs run alongside need-based aid: an Open Door credit of $7,500/year for 3 years for new Kindergarten families, and a Jewish Professional Credit offering 50% off K-12 tuition (or 25% off Early Childhood) for families where a parent works 35+ hours/week at a qualifying Jewish non-profit.