Yeshivat Akiva

= The school's mission =

Since its founding in 1964, 'Akiva Hebrew Day School - Yeshivat Akiva "' has been promoting religious Zionism and combining the best in Judaic and secular studies. Akiva is a Nursery through 12th grade Jewish Modern Orthodox school in Southfield, Michigan which is committed to providing a comprehensive Jewish and Secular education in a vibrant atmosphere of Torah values and academic challenge. Akiva strives to provide opportunities for each individual to reach his or her maximum religious and intellectual potential while at the same time aspiring to develop the highest standard of personal character. In addition, Akiva seeks to imbue its students with a love of Am Yisrael (the nation of Israel), Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) and Torat Yisrael (the Torah of Israel), together with an intense commitment to the Torah way of Life. The Akiva graduate will be invested with the desire to contribute significantly to our society as an educated productive citizen and an erudite Torah Scholar, and display a strong and real bond with the religious Zionist movement. Most Akiva graduates go to a year study in Israel, and then on to high-ranked colleges in the United States and Israel.

Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Program is developing and improving! New programs include yoga and gross-motor classes for the little ones. Children have Hebrew-immersion, learning Hebrew with an Israeli teacher. Enrichment classes for Nursery children provide a way of mixing students through other classes and focusing on other strengths. Some enrichment options are singing - Shir La La as well as the Tumble Bus.

Elementary School

The Akiva elemntary school has a half-day of Judiac studies classes and a half-day of secular studies classes. This curriculum is challenging, but is necessary in order to give "the best of both world" to students. Elementary school students participate in a variety of extras, including the "Gedalya Mitchell Kol Haneshama youth choir", art, gym, and yoga.

Middle School/Upper school

For years, the Akiva "upper school" started in 7th grade. In the 2007-2008 school year, 6th grade became a transition year, with classes in the morning for secular studies and Judaic studies in the afternoon. The sixth grade was able to participate in upper school activities as well. This transitional year will be a new edition for years to come.

High school/Upper school

Judiac studies include halacha, hashkafa, Torah Sheba'al Peh(oral Torah), Chumash, Navi, Ivrit and Jewish history. Secular studies include a variety of courses in math, science, social studies, English and history. Akiva also offers AP and honors classes. The tenth grade (and more recently the eleventh grade) goes on a two and a half week trip to Israel, called Lehava. Rabbi Tsaidi, principal of the school accompanies the students.

Chidon Hatanach

The school participates in the Chidon Hatanach competition, under the direction of Rav Pinchas Amior. At the 2006 national Chidon hatanach competition, both Dovi Nadel and Elizabeth Goldmeier were finalists. In the 2007 chidon hatanach competition, Nadel and Goldmeier both qualified for the international competition in Israel. In the 2008 international competition in Israel, they both made the final round. This was the first time in Chidon history, where two finalists were from the same school. Elizabeth finished eighth, while Dovi finished third overall.

Akiva Sports

The Akiva basketball team is called the Pioneers. Both boys and girls schools have been in national tournaments in New York, Miami, and Toronto. At one point in the 1980s, Akiva hosted an annual tournament called the Akiva Invitational. Akiva's elementary school has a soccer team as well.In the late 1980s, Akiva had a floor hockey team as well, known as the Cougars. All sports are played in the Meer Family Gymnasium which was constructed in 2003. The gym has locker facilities, bleachers, an office and a climbing wall.

School Facts

Akiva moved into the current building, (the former home of Congregation Beth Achim) on 12 mile road in the year 2000. They had previously been located in three other locations, most recently on Southfield Road in Lathrup Village. School colors: Blue and yellow, and more recently blue and white.

Yeshivat Akiva is located on the Schostak family campus.

In 2008, Akiva opened the "lower level" for high school use. The lower level has new classrooms, lockers and bathrooms.

External links

* [http://www.akivak12.org/ School Homepage]