| The Epstein School | |
| Motto: | "Three Languages, One Community" |
| State: | Georgia United States |
| Coordinates: | 33.9289°N -84.3989°W |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Georgia#USA |
| Established: | 1973 |
| Free Label: | Mascot |
| Free: | Eagle |
The Epstein School is an independent Jewish day school located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States.[1] It enrolls children from 18 months through eighth grade. The Head of School is Dr. David Abusch-Magder. The school has a summer camp.[2]
Founded in 1973,[3] Epstein is a bilingual[4] (English-Hebrew) school.
The school was originally housed in the Ahavath Achim Synagogue. In 1987, it moved to a new location. It later purchased the building and began plans for renovation and expansion.[5] The building that was purchased was originally a Fulton County Elementary School, then called Underwood Hills Elementary.[5]
The school's mascot is the Eagle, as represented by the Epstein Eagle crest.
The Epstein Middle School is headed by Principal Susanna Ames[6] The school is ideologically conservative, but teaches cultural diversity, tolerance and acceptance of all. In 2008, Epstein Middle School participated in the Faith on Wheels Project, a cultural and religious exchange with three different schools with different faiths: Jewish, Christian and Muslim.[7]
The middle school curriculum is bilingual. Recognizing academic challenges for students of a dual language curriculum, the school also offers additional support in the learning lab and Sha'ar, a special education program.[8]
Each year, the school holds its middle school celebration of Hebrew song and dance, Shiriyah.[9]
At the end of each school year, 8th grade students visit Israel as a culmination of their studies.[10]
Recently, Spanish has been introduced to 7th and 8th graders.
In 2009, a book previously published by Epstein Middle School students, Go Where Your Eyes Take You: Creating a New Future after the Holocaust, was archived by the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education.[11] The book was part of the students' language arts studies, and features stories about 23 survivors of the Holocaust and how they rebuilt their lives.[11]
Students use technology in all subject areas, and every classroom has internet-linked computers. Elective classes include digital photography, website design and robotics.
Students also produce, write, and direct a weekly TV broadcast for the school. Each year, students visit to Fox 5 News - WAGA-Atlanta.[12]
In 2005, Epstein was identified as a U.S. Department of Education Innovator[13] and is one of only three Jewish day schools in the nation to be honored as a 2004 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.[14]
Epstein offers many sports, including tennis, basketball, soccer, track and field, softball, frisbee, baseball, and volleyball. Most sports are offered for both girls and boys.[15]
The Epstein School has dual accreditation from Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).[16]
In 2009 the National Wildlife Federation recognized The Epstein School's Sustainable Educational Garden and Teaching Pond as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.[17]